How Much Does Outdoor Handrail Installation Cost?
Normal range: $275 - $1,150
Installing an outdoor handrail costs around $700, on average, but your total could fall anywhere from $275 up to $1,150 based on the length and material.
Adding a railing to a patio, porch, or concrete steps can make the structure more accessible and safer, so there’s less fear of slipping and falling on a snowy or rainy day. In fact, any backyard patio or front porch that’s more than 30 inches off the ground requires a railing to adhere to building codes.
The cost to install a new 5-foot-long railing is around $700, but the cost may be higher for longer steps, or an entire patio. Opting for custom wrought-iron, cable, or fiberglass railings can drive costs upward of $1,150 for a 5-foot section, while vinyl or wood railings cost about $275 for the same length. Adding a railing to a 10-foot-long front patio would double that cost.
- Average
- $700
- Low end
- $200
- high end
- $1,400
How Much Does It Cost to Install a Railing by Size?
Installing new railings on a concrete patio, porch, or set of steps costs an average of $80 per foot, but prices can range from $50 to $230 per foot, depending on the material you choose.
Labor adds up to about $30 per foot, so be sure to factor that into your costs if you need a longer railing. If you only need a railing to accompany three to five steps, you’d spend $250 to $1,150 for a 5-foot-long railing.
How Much Does It Cost to Install a Railing Yourself?
You can save about $30 per foot (the cost of labor) by installing a railing yourself. But because railings are for safety purposes, it’s best left to a local stair railing installation specialist. If you don’t anchor the railing properly, it could lead to injuries.
If you have the proper training and decide to DIY, expect to spend about $320 to $380 on tools and materials to get the job done.
Outdoor Railing Cost Factors
| Railing Factor | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Materials | $320 – $380 |
| Labor | $60 – $200 per hour |
| Length | $110 per linear foot |
| Type of structure | $100 – $250 |
| Weatherproofing | $25 – $85 per gallon |
| Custom designs | $900 per linear foot |
| Permits | $20 – $30 |
This project requires the railing itself, plus anchors, and tools to install the railing or labor if you hire a pro.
Materials
The materials for the railing cost about $320 to $380, with the price depending heavily on the length of the railing you need for the project type. A few steps require about 5 feet of railing, but the average, full-sized staircase requires 25 feet of railing. Patios and porches can require even more railing.
Anchors: Your new railing will require anchors, fasteners, or connectors to securely attach the railing to the steps, and these items will cost $10 to $20.
Tools: You’ll need a hammer drill with a masonry bit, which costs about $50 to $100. A level, measuring tape, and safety goggles are also handy for this project and cost $20 to $30 total.
Railing: The railing will cost approximately $80 per linear foot. The total cost depends on how much railing you need and the material you choose. A 5-foot handrail made from steel costs around $250.
Labor
You can hire a stair rail installation specialist or general contractor in your area to add new railings for about $30 per foot. Some contractors may prefer to charge hourly rates at $60 to $200 per hour. It may take about eight hours to install a railing measuring up to 10 linear feet.
“If you’re doing this yourself, be sure to learn the stair rail code for your area,” says Bob Tschudi, Angi Expert Review Board member and Raleigh, NC-based general contractor. “There are very specific requirements for everything, including the height of the railing, maximum space between the balusters, and amount of gap between the bottom rail and the top of each step.”
Length
The cost of a railing project will be largely dependent upon the length of the railing. Depending on the type of material, expect to pay about $110 per linear foot for the railing, which includes the cost of labor, which is about $30 per foot, and the cost of material, which is about $80 per foot. A 10-foot railing will cost between $900 and $1,500, depending on the type of material.
Type of Structure
The type of structure will largely dictate how much railing you’ll need to do the job. Expect to pay between $100 and $250 for a railing to run along a set of 3-foot high steps that ascend from a walk to a front door.
Larger structures, such as an elevated front porch with an open side that measures 8 feet long and 5 feet deep, will cost around $1,400 for a railing.
However, a railing for a large 10-foot-deep-by-20-foot-long elevated back patio will cost between $2,000 to $4,400, depending on the rail’s material.
Weatherproofing
You can add coating to wick away moisture or make the railing more resistant to harsh weather. These additions cost $20 to $85 per gallon.
Number of Steps
The number and size of the steps can add to the cost since more steps require a longer railing. Standard staircases need approximately 25 feet of railing, while front door steps (depending on the length of your walkway) may need 10 feet or less of railing.
Custom Designs
Adding your own unique flair to your stair railings, such as intricate designs in a wrought-iron railing or custom colors for a metal railing, can cost up to $900 per linear foot.
Permits
In most cases, you’ll need to obtain a building permit for $20 to $30 to install a new railing. Because they are a safety feature, stair rails need to meet certain building codes.
“Be sure to check with your HOA or any other group that regulates appearance,” says Tschudi. “We were restoring an 1859 home and were informed by the historic society that the iron railing on the steps was circa 1950s. It had to be removed and replaced with a period-specific style. Likewise, some HOAs have specific requirements on railing styles.”
How Much Do Railings Cost by Material?
Railing materials can vary from around $20 to over $200 per linear foot, not including the cost of installation. Vinyl, PVC, and wood railings are some of the least expensive options. Wrought iron is a common choice and inspiration for many deck railings, but is more expensive than many other materials.
| Material | Cost per Foot |
|---|---|
| Aluminum | $40 – $60 |
| Steel | $40 – $60 |
| Wrought Iron | $50 – $120 |
| Wood | $28 |
| Vinyl | $25 |
| Fiberglass | $150 |
| Cable | $50 – $200 |
Aluminum
Aluminum railings for concrete steps cost $40 to $60 per foot. Metal railings are a durable choice, but they can be hot or cold to the touch, depending on the weather. Aluminum is one of the most affordable metal options, but it doesn’t last as long as stainless steel or wrought iron.
Steel
Like aluminum, steel railing costs about $40 to $60 per foot. Stainless steel holds up well against the elements, like rain and wind.
Wrought Iron
Installing wrought iron railing costs $50 to $120 per foot. This material is long-lasting and adds an elevated look, but it is the most expensive metal railing option.
Wood
Wood is a reliable and cost-effective choice at $28 per foot, but it may require weather-resistant coatings or paint if you live in a rainy, snowy, or windy location. Without sealant, wood railings can rot and require replacement.
Vinyl
Vinyl and other plastic-based railings are a less expensive option, costing $25 per foot. One major benefit of vinyl railings is that they are durable against rain and wind, although harsh sunlight may cause the color to fade over time. However, vinyl railings aren’t considered as attractive as wood or wrought iron.
Fiberglass
Fiberglass stair rails are commonly found in commercial settings rather than residential homes and cost around $150 per foot. This type of railing is lighter than steel without compromising support, and it’s not susceptible to rust like metal railings are.
Cable
Cable railings cost $50 to $200 per linear foot and are a popular option for outdoor staircases and decks. Cable railings won’t interrupt views of your charming neighborhood or woodsy backyard while still offering safety and support, but they can be a more costly option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Wood and metal are popular railing options for concrete structures. Although wood is less expensive, metal will offer more durability in the long run. Wood is more susceptible to the elements, like rain and wind, so it can wear down over time.
As for metal, iron and stainless steel are the strongest and longest-lasting options, which is why they tend to be more popular than aluminum railings. Although if you’re looking to tighten your budget, aluminum is still a good choice. Vinyl is another railing option that stands up well against moisture, but it isn’t as attractive as wood or metal railings.
If you’re installing a railing on your porch, deck, or patio, you should repair any cracked or crumbling stairs before you try to anchor railings into the side of the steps. Also consider cleaning, sealing, painting, or staining the concrete steps for a visual upgrade alongside the new railing.
The Americans With Disabilities Act requires wheelchair ramps that ascend more than 6 inches or extend further than 6 feet to have a railing on both sides to prevent falls. The tops of the handrails should be between 34 and 38 inches above the ramp.
The cost to install a wheelchair ramp is between $1,000 to $3,000.