Hi Mike

This happens because the ratio full height / steps is not balanced. This is how we (architects) design stairs in real life

You need to set the total staircase height and stretch the stairs until the riser height is equal than 7" (not less than 4") and tread width not less than 10" (10" also for curved stairs)(recommended dimensions by the building codes)

In other words, if your total height is 10' (120")
1 - To start--> Divide 120" / 7"--> approx, 17 steps.
2 - 17 steps mean (approx.) 17 x 10"--> 170"--> this means a extension of 170", and this (the extension) is the secret

In Punch, despite of the properties bar settings, the staircases calculation is not 100% automatic

Check the image attached
I created two levels--> the upper floor is at 120". I created two stairs, in both, I used the height at 120", and the same steps' settings (7"and 10")
At the bottom of the staircases, you can see the same specs--> 17R x 10"T , right?
The green staircase has the right length (170") so if you count, there are 17 steps. However, the red staircase says 17 steps but if you count it has only 13 steps, because the extension is only 130"

In the right pane of the image, you can see that, in liveview, only the green staircase reaches to the 120"level, despite of the settings showed in the properties bar (for the green staircase)

Let us know if you need additional help

Patricia