What stair railings cost
Railing prices depend on length, material, number of turns and landings, and whether the wall has solid framing to fasten to. A single wall handrail on one straight flight is usually a small job; guards with posts and balusters, or metal and glass systems, are priced by the linear foot and cost several times more. Send photos of the stairs from the bottom and the top, and the number of steps, and we return a fixed price. Our minimum job is $500.
Handrail or railing?
A handrail is what you hold on to, usually a wood rail on brackets fixed to the wall. A guard, or railing, is the barrier along the open side of a staircase or landing, with posts and balusters or panels. Many staircases need both. A handrail on a wall is a small job; a new guard with posts is carpentry, and more if it is metal or glass.
Code basics
In BC, the BC Building Code sets the rules for houses. Handrails on stairs are mounted between 865 mm and 965 mm (roughly 34 to 38 inches) above the stair nosings, and must be continuous and easy to grasp. Guards along the open side of a stair must be at least 900 mm high measured from the nosings, and taller guards of 1,070 mm apply in some other locations, such as higher landings and balconies. Municipalities can have their own requirements, and new stairs or guards may need a permit. We confirm what applies when we quote.
What moves the price
- Length and number of runs, including landings and turns.
- Material: painted pine and oak are the cheapest; metal and glass cost several times more.
- Walls: brackets must go into studs or solid blocking, so hollow spots need blocking added.
- Returns: the ends of a handrail should turn into the wall so sleeves and bags cannot catch on them.
- Removing an old railing and repairing the holes it leaves.
How a wall handrail is installed
- Mark the height at the top and bottom nosings and snap a line between them.
- Find the studs along the line and plan brackets into them, typically every few feet.
- Fasten the brackets with screws long enough to reach solidly into the studs.
- Cut the rail to length with returns at each end, fasten it to the brackets, and check it takes full body weight without flexing.
Handrails for safer stairs
A second handrail, so there is one on both sides, is one of the most effective and least expensive changes for anyone who is less steady on stairs. It pairs well with grab bars in the bathroom and brighter stair lighting.
Common questions
How high should a stair handrail be in BC?
Under the BC Building Code, between 865 mm and 965 mm above the stair nosings, which is about 34 to 38 inches.
Do I need a handrail on both sides of the stairs?
Wider stairs can require handrails on both sides; many narrower residential stairs need only one. Two make stairs noticeably safer and are common in homes planning ahead for aging in place.
Do I need a permit to replace a handrail?
Usually not for a like-for-like handrail. New stairs, new guards, or changes to the stair structure often do.
Related guides
Code references from the BC Building Code (handrail and guard heights); check your municipality for local requirements. We update these figures as we complete jobs.