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Written by

Tamatha Hazen

July 26,

Edited by

Kristen Cramer

Fact-checked by

Tom Grupa

Average cost to replace stair railing

New stair railings cost $20 to $60 per linear foot for wood or $50 to $250 per linear foot for metal, including labor and materials. Wood is the most affordable and traditional railing material. Modern glass and cable stair railings are the most dramatic and expensive to install.

Stair railing cost by size & type Railing length (linear feet) Wood Metal Cable Glass 5 $100 ' $300 $250 ' $1,250 $300 ' $2,500 $500 ' $3,000 10 $200 ' $600 $500 ' $2,500 $600 ' $5,000 $1,000 ' $6,000 20 $400 ' $1,200 $1,000 ' $5,000 $1,200 ' $10,000 $2,000 ' $12,000 25 $500 ' $1,500 $1,250 ' $6,250 $1,500 ' $12,500 $2,500 ' $15,000 30 $600 ' $1,800 $1,500 ' $7,500 $1,800 ' $15,000 $3,000 ' $18,000

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Stair railing cost by material

Stair railing material prices vary wildly from $20 to $600 per linear foot installed, with wood being the cheapest and glass being the most expensive.

Stair railing cost per linear foot (by material) - ChartStair railing cost by material Material Average cost installed (per linear foot) Aluminum $50 ' $200 Cable $60 ' $500 Glass $100 ' $600 Stainless steel $50 ' $250 Wood $20 ' $60 Wrought iron $65 ' $135

Updating the railing and balusters with modern materials will bring new life to an old staircase. A simple remodel is more cost-effective than a full staircase replacement costing $2,000 to $7,000 or more.

Wood

Wood is the most affordable and commonly used railing material, costing $20 to $60 per linear foot installed. Wood railings are typically used indoors since rain and pests easily damage them. Wood offers endless options for customizations, including painting, staining, and even carving.

A wood interior staircase in a home.

Stainless steel

Stainless steel railings cost $50 to $250 per linear foot installed. Stainless steel is a popular material, especially for outdoor railings, since it is durable and requires less maintenance than wood railings.

Cable

Cable railing prices vary widely from $60 to $500 per linear foot installed because there are so many different materials to choose from. Cable railings are popular for both indoor and outdoor use and work well in modern, industrial, and farmhouse designs.

Stainless steel cable stair railings in a home's interior.

Glass

Glass railings cost $100 to $600 per linear foot installed and are most expensive railing systems on the market today. Glass offers a contemporary and uncluttered look for both interior and exterior staircases and won't obstruct your view.

Glass stair railings in a modern home interior.

Wrought iron

Wrought iron railings cost $65 to $135 per linear foot installed'a mid-range price compared to other materials. Wrought iron is a long-lasting and timeless material that won't go out of style. When properly coated, wrought iron is durable enough for outdoor use.

Wrought iron railings in front of a house.

Stair railing and baluster installation costs

Installing a stair railing costs $500 to $6,300 on average, depending on the size and style. Wall-mounted stair railings fall on the low end of prices since they are easier and cheaper to install. Railings that are attached by balusters have the highest labor and material prices.

Stair railing cost calculator Factor Average cost Installation labor $300 ' $1,000 Materials and supplies $200 ' $5,300 Total cost installed $500 ' $6,300

Factors that impact the installation costs include:

• Size ' Railing size impacts the material price, with longer or thicker railings costing more.

• Design ' Railing design impacts the material and labor costs, with simple, premade railings being cheaper than intricate designs.

• Wall-mounted vs. integrated ' Integrated handrails that form part of the staircase have higher installation labor costs than wall-mounted handrails.

• Replacement vs. new installation ' Replacement railings require added labor to remove the old railing and adapt the new railing to match up with the previous placement.

Labor cost to install stair railings

The labor cost to install stair railings ranges from $300 to $1,000 for an average 25 linear-foot railing project. Some staircase installers charge by the hour instead, with rates of $60 to $100 per hour to install a railing, which takes around 5 to 10 hours. Alternative labor options include:

• A general contractor charges $50 to $100 per hour and is usually hired when the railing installation is part of a larger remodel project.

• A handyman charges $50 to $80 per hour and is usually hired for simple remodel projects.

Cost to install balusters

The average cost to install balusters is $1,200 to $1,500. Balusters are the vertical posts or spindles that support the handrail and close the gaps between the posts for safety.

Balusters do not have to be the same material as the handrail. In fact, mixing materials is a trendy way to make the stair railing more visually interesting.

Wood stair railing and steps leading to a home.

Cost to refinish or paint stair railings

A simple way to update the look of an outdated staircase is to paint the railing. Hiring a painter costs $20 to $70 per hour. The total project takes 3 to 5 hours and even with professional labor is much cheaper than replacing the entire railing.

Stair railing FAQs

How much does it cost to replace a stair railing?

Replacing a stair railing costs anywhere from $500 for a simple wooden railing to $15,000 or more for a modern cable or glass railing.

Where can I buy a stair railing?

Prefabricated stair railings are available at online retailers and home improvement stores, such as Home Depot and Lowe's.

Are you interested in learning more about accessible handrails? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!

Custom-made railings may be found at local lumberyards, handrail manufacturers, or stair builders.

Who installs stair railings?

Professional installation is recommended to ensure the railing is installed safely. Seek help from one of the following professionals:

How high should a stair railing be?

The top railing of the handrail should be 34 to 38 inches above the floor. For staircases primarily used by children, a 28-inch height is acceptable.

Do all staircases need a handrail?

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Any staircase with four or more risers needs a handrail for safety.

Getting estimates from stair railing installers

When getting estimates from stair railing installers near you, make sure to:

• Compare at least 3 estimates featuring the same railing materials.

• Hire a licensed, bonded, and insured railing installer with several years of experience.

• Read the installer's online reviews from past clients on HomeGuide and Google.

• Request a written estimate, contract, and warranty information before paying any deposits.

• Negotiate a payment plan instead, rather than paying before the project is done.

Questions to ask

When making your final decision on the best stair railing company for your project, it helps to ask these important questions:

• How long have you been installing stair railings?

• Are you licensed, bonded, and insured?

• Will you complete the project yourself or hire a subcontractor?

• What material do you recommend for my exterior stair railing, and why?

• Does the estimate include removing and disposing of the old railing?

• How long will the railing replacement take?

• How long is your warranty on the materials and labor?

• How will you protect the rest of my home from damage during the staircase project?

Cost to Install a Stairway Handrail

Stairway Handrail Installation CalculatorZip Code
Linear Feet
Item

details

QtyLow  High

Handrail Cost

 

Non-discounted retail pricing for: Oak, Ipe, walnut, maple or cherry solid wood handrail. Durable thermally catalyzed clear finish. 1 1/2"x2 3/4" rectangular profile for use with cable railing. Length to 12'. Quantity includes typical waste overage, material for repair and local delivery.

27 linear feet$166.93$205.19

Stairway Handrail Installation Labor, Basic

 

Basic labor to install stairway handrail with favorable site conditions. Secure mounting brackets to wall framing. Fit and secure stairway handrail up to 3m/10ft in length. Includes planning, equipment and material acquisition, area preparation and protection, setup and cleanup.

27 linear feet$166.93$205.19

Stairway Handrail Installation Job Supplies

 

Cost of related materials and supplies typically required to install stairway handrail including: fasteners, connectors, surface preparation and finishing materials.

27 linear feet$166.93$205.19  Unused Minimum Labor

Balance of 2 hr(s) minimum labor charge that can be applied to other tasks.

    Totals - Cost To Install Stairway Handrail    Average Cost per Linear Foot  

In April the cost to Install a Stairway Handrail starts at $35.93 - $53.65 per linear foot. Use our Cost Calculator for cost estimate examples customized to the location, size and options of your project.

To estimate costs for your project:

1. Set Project Zip Code Enter the Zip Code for the location where labor is hired and materials purchased.

2. Specify Project Size and Options Enter the number of "linear feet" required for the project.

3. Re-calculate Click the "Update" button.

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