Installing a new bannister/stair railing - DIY or?

[Anonymous]

Has anyone ever replaced the bannister/railing on the main staircase in their home? Did you do it yourself or hire someone to do it? I know you can buy the materials at Home Depot/Lowes, but I'm not sure how straightforward the installation is. If you hired someone, what type of person? Home Depot installers? Handyman?

The house is a 1950s cape. One flight, no landings, no curves, but narrow/steepish. We had to rip out the old iron railing in order to get furniture through the front door. I'd like to replace it with basic white square balusters.

[Anonymous]

Honestly, OP, I would find an experienced carpenter for this. If you're unsure, you could do something incorrectly, which could potentially lead to some unpleasant repercussions if the banister should not hold up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone ever replaced the bannister/railing on the main staircase in their home? Did you do it yourself or hire someone to do it? I know you can buy the materials at Home Depot/Lowes, but I'm not sure how straightforward the installation is. If you hired someone, what type of person? Home Depot installers? Handyman?

The house is a 1950s cape. One flight, no landings, no curves, but narrow/steepish. We had to rip out the old iron railing in order to get furniture through the front door. I'd like to replace it with basic white square balusters.

Ideally you need a trim carpenter for this; there are alot of codes you need to be aware of; baluster spacing (less than 4"). height 34-38" taken along the slope of the treads, where the handrail ends (plumb up from the nosing on the landing), most places will have return it back into the wall. Need minimum clearance off the wall. so you may need to pad it out. If you are good and patient you can do it. You also need the right tools. I call stairs boys to men - anybody can do trim; not everyone can do stairs. I just did a job, regular trimmer wasn't available. Had one of my local cabinetmakers do it; builds beautiful kitchens for me. He got it done but it was brutally slow; granted it was more complicated but not much. And he didn't know the codes - I did. And if you do not do it right people can get hurt. My sense is find yourself a good trimmer. Find a good lumberyard, not Home Depot, a real lumber yard, and go in ask for recommendations. Either that or find a local stair maker.

Good luck.