The cost to install a stair railing ranges from about $500 to $1,300, with an average of $900. You’ll pay more for high-end materials on a long railing.
Adding new stair railing costs $900 on average, though it can range from $200 to $10,000 or more based on several factors. This wide cost range accounts for the type of material, custom upgrades, and whether you choose to DIY the installation or call in a professional. Learn more about the cost to install a stair railing in your house.
You will encounter quite a wide price range for stair railing costs. Expect to pay anywhere from $10 to $500 per linear foot for installing a new railing, not including labor. Less-expensive materials cost between $10 and $60 per linear foot and highly durable options cost over $100. Additionally, the cost of the balusters runs $3 and $17 per piece before installation costs.
For example, let's assume you need a 10-foot stair railing. If a wooden railing costs $25 per linear foot and the spindles cost $3 a piece, you will need $250 for the railing and $90 for the spindles. Before labor, you'll pay $340.
| Stair Railing Length (Linear Foot) | Average Cost Range |
|---|---|
| 8 | $80–$800 |
| 10 | $100–$1,000 |
| 12 | $120–$1,200 |
| 16 | $160–$1,600 |
The type of material you choose greatly impacts the cost of the stair railing and its balusters. While some materials cost less because they are easier to acquire, others come with hefty price tags due to their durability and longevity. These price ranges account for the full railing design—handrail, baluster, and balustrade together.
| Material | Cost Range per Linear Foot |
|---|---|
| Wood | $10–$40 |
| Stainless steel | $25–$110 |
| Cable | $60–$220 |
| Glass | $100–$500 |
| Wrought Iron | $50–$120 |
You will pay between $10 and $40 per linear foot for wood stair railings. While they tend not to last as long as iron, steel, or cable wires, wood stair railings are often desirable for their classic look and the option to paint, stain, and carve them.
The next leap in price is for stainless steel railings, which cost between $25 and $110 per linear foot. Stainless steel is well-loved for its stability and durability, even when used outside for porches and patios. This railing type will also require less maintenance over the years compared to wood.
The structure of a cable stair railing combines a steel, iron, or wood handrail with cable balusters that run vertically or—breaking tradition—horizontally. The unique design costs between $60 and $220 per linear foot.
Glass stair railings replace the traditional balusters with a pane of glass set within a metal frame. The look is sleek and modern while adding a level of safety by cutting out the breaks between balustrades. Glass stair railings cost $100 to $500 per linear foot.
The cost of wrought iron stair railings ranges from $50 to $120 per linear foot, but custom options can cost up to $900 for the same. The highest price tag comes with ornate and complex designs. Overall, you'll pay more for wrought iron for its extreme durability and longevity of over a century.
Professional installation will add quite a bit to your total, but we recommend hiring a local staircase builder for safety reasons and to keep the banister up to code. Include between $70 and $150 an hour for labor fees to hire a local staircase contractor, at an average of six to 10 hours. The installation time length will vary depending on the size, material, and design of your stair railing. Custom work will also add to the labor time.
If our example above requires six hours of installation at $100 per hour, the total price for the 10-foot railing is now $940.
Picture your unique project and take a moment to consider the costs that may come along when installing new stair railings.
When creating your project budget, add between $70 and $150 for an hour of removing the old stair railings and balusters. The process could take longer if you need to remove it from plaster, concrete, or brick or if the contractors need to repair the wall or staircase before installing the new one. For example, the cost to repair concrete steps ranges between $250 and $750, depending on the size of the damage.
Keep in mind that railings that need to curve, bend, or spiral will often fall into the custom category, pushing the price up. Spiral, floating, and helical structures can cost between $1,000 to tens of thousands higher than the average staircase, and this unique design choice will add to the cost of stair railings and balusters.
Where your handrail lives in or outside your home also dictates the price. For example, installing a new handrail on your front concrete steps costs an average of $80 per linear foot. The extra cost accounts for the weather-proof material and the cost to attach it to the concrete.
However, replacing a porch or deck railing costs an average of $925 depending, yet again, on its size, material, and the age of the structure.
In addition, you’ll need to take into account other location-based factors, including staircase slope, stair shape, and access to the area. Railing and baluster installations typically cost more for staircases that are difficult to access or irregularly shaped.
The cost of a construction permit for something as simple as a new railing could run as low as $20 or as high as $2,000 for a permit that covers a larger project, such as installing the steps. Since the railing is a key safety feature, be sure to research local safety codes and requirements by your HOA and local ordinances to confirm construction requirements.
Interior painters charge between $20 and $50 per hour or $2 to $6 per square foot. You could pay up to $20 per linear foot for painting railings and balusters due to the intricacy of the job.
You can save up to $1,500 or more on labor costs if you choose to build and install the stair railing yourself. However, installing a stair railing requires specific skills and tools, and any mistakes will compromise its structural integrity. For most homeowners, it’s best to call a professional staircase contractor near you to handle the job quickly and properly. While you can expect to pay $70 to $150 per hour for their services, it’s worth the peace of mind of knowing that your staircase features will remain intact for years to come.
The same goes for repairing or replacing balusters. While you’d only have to pay $3 and $17 per piece for the balusters themselves, any DIY installation gone wrong will require professional repair anyway. It’s best to leave balusters to a pro.
It costs $100 to $500 on average to repair a stair railing, versus about $900 or more to completely replace it. You can determine whether to repair or replace your stair railing by inspecting it for cosmetic damage or any looseness. If the railing is simply knicked or wobbly or you have broken balusters, then it's fine to repair it and save some money. However, if the damage is extensive and extremely loose or old, you should replace it for safety reasons.
If the extra cost of railings and balusters snuck up on you during your home renovation project, there are some things to keep in mind to cut costs.
Opt for wood or stainless steel railings and balusters.
Remove the old railing and baluster yourself.
If possible, have your stair railing installed simultaneously as your new steps to cut down on labor overhead.
Speak with at least three staircase companies to compare prices and discuss package deals.
Replace individual balusters if your railing is still in good shape.
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
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Most building codes require handrails on stairways with four or more risers or individual steps. Handrails are not often required on a staircase with three or fewer steps, but local building codes or other regulations may still require them. Some homeowners also prefer handrails on three or fewer risers for comfort, insurance, or mobility reasons.
Always begin by researching your local building codes and, when in doubt, speak with a local staircase company for confirmation. If you're estimating your handrail measurements, find the length of the nosing line of your steps—the horizontal line that touches the top of the tread of your steps. Measure between 34 and 38 inches up the walls for placement. The length of the handrail will then run the length of your nosing line or beyond, depending on local codes.
Most building codes require that stair railing balusters should be spaced no more than 4 inches apart. Also known as the "4-inch sphere rule," that distance is large enough for a 4-inch sphere to pass through. To do this, pros will often place three balusters per foot of stair railing.
