Yes. Noted Bill.
I tried my best to get the builder/homeowner to change the rough construction on the staircase.
The left hand staircase wall should have continued up past the landing upstairs. I saw that problem when bidding the job.
They did not want to move the wall over, nor cut off part of the landing and extend the wall on up.
So that was my only recourse. I thought about placing the upper newel over some, then Z-ing the handrail over for a continous rail. But that would have looked crude, out of place, and make that long hand rail less ridgid.
I also thought about running a another handrail on the right side wall.
That would not have looked in place either.
So.. After several discussions with the owners, telling them they would have three steps without a handrail, they said it go with the way they framed it. So thats what I did.
I didn't really agree with it, but they pays the bill
There are basically no codes around here. No inspections at all.
There's only one code in our county, and thats a sewer code which is required by the state.