New Bannister Cost

How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Staircase Bannister?

You can take steps if you have an ageing bannister in a period estate and would like to keep the original features. Some of the issues you may encounter include broken or loose balusters, creaky and worn treads, and previous "modernisations" that need to be reversed.

Otherwise, unless you have wet or dry rot because of an underlying damp issue, your staircase renovation may simply consist of repairing and replacing loose as well as outdated handrails or spindles.

Maybe you just want to 'refresh' your stairs. In that case, a fresh coat of paint or installing a new carpet will suffice.

This section will go over the different costs to replace a staircase bannister, so if you want to get rid of your old bannister, you will find what you need to know here!

A new bannister is not cheap on average. Professionals construct bannisters to exacting standards that must adhere to Building Regulations. Furthermore, because the Regulations govern this, professionals should install stairs.

As a result, neither constructing nor installing stairs is a job for a novice do-it-yourself.

Even if you're repairing a bannister, you should leave it to a professional simply because it is essential to understand the building techniques before safely repairing one.

The cost of construction and installation will vary depending on size, style, and material.

So, how much does a new bannister cost?

Depending on how complicated the design or installation turns out to be, the total cost could be over £5,000 or more.

You can choose from several materials to create a wooden staircase, glass or metal bannister, or a combination of more than one particle in the same staircase.

A new bannister and a spindle set will cost between £50 and £200 per metre due to the materials used.

The total cost is determined by the following factors:

• Currently available bannister material
• Material for new bannisters
• The Banister type (straight, spiral, etc.)
• The length and width of the bannister

Each of these factors determines how long it will take to finish the project as well as its overall scope. If you don't need to replace your bannister entirely, it might benefit from a fresh coat of paint or refinishing. This is usually a less expensive way to update your staircase without spending a fortune.

The price to refinish a bannister is around £5 to £10 per square foot for the treads. In general, you should budget between £90 and £106 for this service.

Bannister Prices

The table below will break down the costs to replace a bannister:

What are the Supply Costs for a Replacement Bannister?

Replacing a stair bannister is a do-it-yourself project once you understand each component, its function, and how they all collaborate.

If your bannister is damaged or worn, or if you simply want a new look, replacing it is your best option. We'll go over the various supply costs for a replacement bannister here, so you know exactly what to expect when you come to your DIY project.

First, you will need to buy a new bannister depending on the type. Updating your current bannister from wood to wrought iron or vice versa can make your home look a dramatic new look.

Examine your options and choose something that complements the character of your home and your preference. This can vary from £50 - £400!

You may also need a tape measure to measure the size that you will need. Measure the length of your existing bannister to get an idea of how long your new bannister should be. You might need to cut the bannister to size, so buy more than you need. This will cost you £2 - £6.

You will then have to buy newel posts that cost £35 - £60 depending on the amount and type you want. Rail bolts to screw this in will cost £1 - £10, and screws will cost £3 - £9.

You will have to have a drill to make holes in the walls. This will cost £15 - £40. 

To make sure it is extra protected, use carpenter glue; these cost £2 - £9 and painter's tape should be wrapped around the tops of the spindles to keep glue from dripping on them.

This will cost £0.90 - £3. Handrail brackets are usually cheap, costing £1 - £5.

The table below will break down the supply costs to replace a bannister:

What are the Additional Costs of Replacing a Bannister?

When replacing a bannister in your home, you may decide to have additional costs or small factors influencing the overall cost. Here we will go over the different additional jobs and their costs.

Cost to Paint Interior Doors

Whether you're doing it DIY or hiring a professional painter to do it, you'll need to begin by measuring everything which needs to be painted. For example, the average cost of painting an inner door is determined by the size of the doors, the number of doors to paint, and the local labour rates.

Most interior doors cost between £50 - £200 to paint. Doors that open to the outside, on the other hand, can be more costly, costing up to £200 - £300.

The cost of glossing a door varies depending on what type of paint is used and the number of coats needed, but it should cost between £60 and £100 per interior door.

While you may be able to recoat some painted doors and achieve a satisfactory finish, you will not be able to save the paintwork on others.

You'll need to consider hiring a paint stripping or 'dipping' service to get rid of all that goopy, lumpy old shine—door stripping costs between £15 and £25 per door.

Please refer to our guide on painting interior doors costs for further information.

Painting and Decorating

When redecorating, consider how much interior painting will cost for different jobs. Painting a room, for example, can range from £180 for a small bedroom to £600 for a large living room.

You must factor the overall cost of painting and decorating other fixtures, like skirting boards, which will cost between £180 - £350, and window painting, which costs around £400 and £1,500.

Painting doors, which costs between £220 and £1,600, and repainting kitchen cabinets, costs between £600 and £1,000.

Wallpapering is another significant decorating expense, with prices ranging from £180 for a small bedroom to £600 to strip as well as hang the wallpaper, while inner cladding ranges from £1,500 to £2,500.

An average quote to hire a painter and decorator for important decorating works like painting or wallpapering many rooms ranges from £100 to £300 per day. For smaller painting jobs such as painting door frames as well as kitchen cabinets, they may start charging £15 – £40 per hour.

Please refer to our guide on interior painting and decorating costs for further information.

Carpet Fitting

Carpet installation costs can range from £3 to £100 per square metre on average. This significant price difference is attributable to the fact that there have been numerous types of carpet, each with its price bracket.

Bear this in mind, the type of carpet you select can have a significant impact on the overall cost of carpet installation.

Other factors that can influence the job's overall cost include the size of the room in which you are installing new carpet, the awkwardness of the room, the placement of your property, and any extra effort you may want to make in conjunction with the carpet installation.

In addition to the overall cost of the carpet, you will need to consider the cost of carpet underlay. This is normally priced between £2 and £15 per square metre.

A budget carpet costs around £6 per square metre, a mid-range carpet costs around £16.50 per m², and a luxury carpet costs around £60 per square metre.

Please refer to our guide on carpet fitting costs for further information.

Skip Hire

The average price to hire a 2-yard skip will cost £60 to £120, a 4-yard skip will be costing around £100 to £260, and then a 6-yard skip will cost around £110 - £238.

An 8-yard skip will cost between £150 and £375, and a 10-yard skip costs between £170 and £250.

The cost of hiring a skip will depend on the size and type of skip you will need. Roll-on roll-off skips are less expensive per yard than standard skips.

Other price factors will include the amount of tradespeople hired to deliver and pick up the skip, the easy accessibility to your property, and your location. Because skip hire cost varies across the country, where you live will influence the price of hiring a skip.

Please refer to our guide on skip hire costs for further information.

Size

Unsurprisingly, the bigger the bannister, the higher the cost of replacing a bannister. Of course, this is not always the case, but a larger staircase will frequently necessitate more materials and will take a little longer to maintain than a relatively small staircase.

This, however, is unlikely to be a substantial financial consideration.

Duration

The time taken to complete the job may or may not influence the overall cost, and it depends largely on how the tradesperson will work.

In a few cases, a contractor will be paid a lump sum upfront, and in others, they will be paid by the hour.

Location

The cost of living in your area will influence the cost that individuals or businesses set, as will supply and demand levels in your area.

Another factor to consider is how quickly nearby providers can arrive at your property. Their gasoline costs will rise as their route lengthens, increasing your total payment.

Tradesmen Costs for a Bannister Replacement

Installing a bannister correctly necessitates the necessary experience. In general, bannisters and spindles see a lot of use and are an important safety mechanism in the home. While the DIY path is always the most cost-effective option, you should avoid anything that could lead to an unstable staircase.

In some cases, if the project's scope is quite large, you might be required to obtain a building permit. Consider hiring a professional to ensure that the substitute is completed to code safely.

Here we will go through the different labour jobs so you know how much you should pay for a painter to come in and do the job for you!

Architect

When designing a bannister, building designs or drawings may be required. Often, the plans are created by a professional designer or architect to ensure that the right materials are used, the right style is being used, and you get the desired results.

This is one of the smaller jobs involved, it will account for a significant portion of the labour costs.

The average cost of hiring an architect or a specialist designer is about £50 - £100 per hour. They would, however, typically charge by the completed job rather than by the hour.

A finished design, drawing, and technical requirements would cost between £200 and £3,500.

Please refer to our guide on architect's fees for further information.

Carpenter

If you plan to create your bannister out of wood, you must hire these tradespeople. They will often be able to complete the job without the need for additional tradesmen, though this will vary based on the Carpenter chosen.

A carpenter's day rate is usually around £150 - £250. The tradesman's skills and experience will determine this.

Please refer to our guide on carpenters fees for further information.

Builder

A general contractor is frequently hired to oversee the entire project. To complete the work, they can hire and manage subcontractors like carpenters and labourers.

Furthermore, when constructing a metal design, a general builder is frequently the best choice due to the excellent stability of their experience and the labour price that can be offered.

A general builder will typically cost between £150 and £250 per day to hire, depending on the amount of work required, the skills they acquire, and their level of experience.

Carpet Installer

It is common practice to lay new flooring on top of a new staircase after being installed. Typically, this will be carpet or laminate/hardwood flooring. It is generally better to hire a carpet fitter to install a carpet on a set of stairs.

The carpet fitter will measure the area where the new carpet will be installed, provide the sizing for the required additional carpet, and then, once purchased, lay the covering to the newly constructed bannister.

A carpet fitter will typically cost between £100 and £150 per day, including experience and skill level.

Labour

The cheapest type of tradesman, a labourer, must not be overlooked when estimating the cost of the job. A specialist will use their own individual labourer; however, you should be aware of the costs of hiring them.

A simple labourer’s day rate is usually between £60 and £100 per day. They are used for heavy lifting, material moving, and jobs that do not require a particular skill.

The table below will break down the different tradesmen costs needed to replace a bannister.

How Long Does It Take to Replace a Bannister?

Designing, building, and replacing your bannister may be a difficult task best left to contractors and expert builders. But we're here to tell you that isn't the case.

Over the years, we've sold a lot of stair handrail kits to regular people like you who have placed their bannister. This section will go over how long it takes to replace a bannister and what factors can increase the time.

Painting

While trying to paint the bannister is not strictly necessary, it may be desirable for aesthetic reasons. If this is the case, you might decide to paint the bannister before assembling it to ensure that it is completely painted.

When deciding on a colour, keep your climate in mind. If you paint the bannister black or another dark colour and live in a hot climate, it will heat up and become extremely hot to touch and to use.

After you've decided on a colour, you'll need to decide whether you'll be painting it yourself. This will take 4 - 6 hours to complete because it must dry and have coated layers.

Size

Unsurprisingly, the bigger the bannister, the longer it will take. Of course, this is not always the case, but a more oversized staircase will frequently necessitate more materials and take a little longer to maintain than a relatively small staircase.

Complex

If your bannister is in an awkward shape or place, it will take longer to complete as the job will be a lot harder.

Most bannister installations will take two to three hours. However, if the job is more complicated or the staircase is larger and requires preparation, it could take a little longer, but it should not take more than a day.

Types of Bannisters

The bannister helps prevent falls and injuries and is one of a staircase's most important safety features. These staircase components can be made of various materials such as metal, wood, or glass to achieve different visual effects.

The appearance of the staircase will also be influenced by the type of bannister used. We will go over the various types of bannisters and their benefits and drawbacks to decide which one is best for you and would suit your home better.

Steel Bannister

Steel is popular for bannisters, commercial egress stairs, and industrial stairwells. Stair stringers should be made of steel. Galvanised steel or stainless steel is often used to prevent rusting.

Galvanised steel is zinc-coated to prevent harmful materials from harming the steel beneath. To make stainless steel corrosion-resistant, chromium, nickel, nitrogen, and molybdenum are added.

Steel bannisters have been used in a variety of settings. A powder-coated or galvanised steel bannister is a popular option for prefabricated manufacturing stair applications where the other elements of the stairs are steel.

Stainless steel handrails in homes provide a sleek, modern appearance. Stainless steel bannisters can be combined with railings produced of other materials, such as glass, to create a contemporary look.

Steel bannisters can be used in various environments such as industrial, commercial, and residential. Steel railings are more functional when used in industrial settings.

Stainless steel provides clean lines and a modern appearance in homes and offices. They can be used in conjunction with various bannister materials, including wood, to achieve the desired effect.

Pros

• Extremely strong and durable
• It can be coated with powdered coatings
• Requires little maintenance

Cons

• It can weaken in extreme heat
• It can be more expensive
• Hard to install

Aluminium Bannister

Aluminium is a naturally occurring element with a lower density than other metals, making it lighter than steel. Aluminium has a silvery appearance and is highly reflective.

Without any additional treatment, aluminium is naturally resistant to rust and corrosion.

Aluminium bannisters can be found in a wide range of environments. You can use them both within and without residences, commercial structures, and industrial settings.

Outside, aluminium stair railings are commonly used for entrance steps and decks. They can, however, be found indoors in whatever type of building or facility.

Pros

• Strong and durable
• Requires little maintenance
• Easy to install

Cons

• Expensive
• Candent and scratch

Wrought Iron Bannister

Wrought iron is an iron alloy with low carbon content. The demand for this malleable material, which was frequently used to reach a highly decorative effect, peaked in the mid-nineteenth century.

Wrought iron is no longer mass-produced today, but it is still used to restore and replicate historical work.

Today, most products that resemble and are described as wrought iron are created of mild steel with just a low carbon content.

Interior and exterior bannisters in commercial and residential buildings can benefit from wrought iron handrails. Straight or curved stairs can both benefit from wrought iron handrails.

You can find decorative wrought iron bannisters in private homes and office buildings. They are suitable for both interior and exterior use. Wrought iron balusters are frequently used in conjunction with wood handrails to achieve an advanced and dramatic effect.

Pros

• Strong
• It can be in different colours

Cons

• Heavy means it is not easy to install
• Can rust
• It needs to be recoated to prevent rust

Wood Bannister

The most traditional look material for bannisters is wood. Popular woods involve red oak, which is simple to stain, sand, and finish, and white oak, which is more complex and resistant to water. In addition, staircase bannisters can be made of mahogany, ash, cypress, cherry, and various other woods.

Wooden bannisters such as an oak bannister are commonly found in homes and apartment buildings. Wood can be used for decks to garage stairways to grand stairways in old houses. However, wooden bannisters can be combined with modern materials such as metal or glass to create a distinct look.

Wood bannisters are commonly found in traditionally styled homes and buildings, particularly entryways. They are commonly used indoors, but if properly treated, you can also use them outside on decks and other exterior structures.

To create a more modern staircase, wood bannisters can be made of metals. An oak bannister replacement is usually quite a simple job to complete.

Pros

• Natural beauty
• It can be painted in any colour
• Easy to maintain

Cons

• It can be seen as outdated

Glass Bannister

While glass may appear to be a dangerous material in staircase design, it is much more substantial than it appears. Glass is available in various finishes, including clear, semi-transparent, pigmented, frosted, and etched.

Typically, glass is not used for stair bannisters. Handrails with glass railings are typically made of other materials, such as wood or metal.

You can find glass bannisters in both interiors and exteriors of modern commercial houses and buildings. The stair railing glass panels can be fully or partially structured with stainless steel or aluminium or frameless.

Pros

• Provide safety without obstructing a view
• Let in natural light
• Easy to clean

Cons

• Must be cleaned regularly
• It is heavy and can crack during installation if not handled properly

How Much Does It Cost to Remove a Bannister?

When removing a bannister, consider several costs, including your materials or any tools you may require. Your local DIY shop will be your best option for calculating the cost, which your style preference and requirements will determine.

A bannister removal typically costs between £100 and £150; however, heavier bannisters or bannisters in more challenging locations may cost between £200 and £300. Depending on how easy the removal is, it will take 3 to 4 hours.

FAQs

Q: Can you paint a bannister?

A: Because they are a relatively flat surface, bannisters are relatively simple to paint. Because handrails are such a high-traffic area, a hard enamel-type paint in such a satin or semi-gloss finish is recommended. Flat or matte paints are more likely to blemish and are more difficult to clean.

A: Apply a specialist wood primer and an undercoat of Dulux Speed Undercoat on all bare wood surfaces and exposed filler. When your primer is completely dry, you can begin painting. Begin at the top of the stairwell and work down, making sure to start your brush into the wood's grain.

To get some inspiration, look up some bannister ideas online for some examples of how you can paint a bannister to suit your home.

Q: Is it illegal not to have a bannister in the UK?

A: Stairs must have a bannister on at least one side, whether they are less than one metre wide, and on both sides, if they are wider. The bottom two steps of stairs do not require a handrail.

Q: Is it hard to install a bannister?

A: Although installation appears simple—the bannister railing only needs to be 34 to 38 inches just above the noise of the stairway treads—it could be more complicated than you think. The brackets that hold the handrail in place must be attached to studs or sturdy posts that do not always line up with the nose of the treads.

Q: How do you remove a bannister?

A: Drill the bracket that holds the bannister to the wall and then unscrew the bannister from the newel post and posts. You must remove the bannister at this point. Make a note of it and set it aside for later use.

Q: How do I measure a bannister?

A: To get an idea of how many handrails you'll need, multiply the number of steps on your stairwell by 13". Don't forget to account for any additional length required at the top or bottom of your stairway.

Sources

1. https://blog.lapeyrestair.com/types-of-staircase-railings-handrails
2. https://propertyworkshop.com/carpentry/staircase-refurbishment-cost-uk/

Author: Emma M

I am a Liverpool-based freelance writer with a degree in Media and Communications. I specialise in product reviews, home improvement and DIY content. I am also experienced in social media management and content marketing.