How To Update A Stair Railing For Way Less Money Than The Pros

You may be tired of your old stair railing and be ready for an upgrade. Contractors will charge an average of $900. However, it could go up as much as $10,000 on the high end. Everything from the materials you choose, the work needed, building permits, and even the shape and location of your stair railing can have a major impact on where your pricing falls. Considering the cost of labor and material costs ranging anywhere from $10-per-square-foot for wood stair railings to an eyewatering $500-per-square-foot for glass, learning how to update your stair railing yourself can save thousands of dollars.

Repairing your stair railing is cheaper than a total overhaul and installing a new one. A total replacement is also a much bigger job, which is maybe one of those home DIY projects to avoid altogether. An update however, is definitely doable, and will only cost a few hundred dollars and some of your time. By showing your spindles, hand rails, and end posts some love, you can avoid turning your home into a pricey demolition zone. 

Before you begin your upgrade, you'll need to clear a path with a mini demolition of your stair railing (for this renovation, you're removing the spindles, but not the railing). Using a hammer and chisel, chip away at the base of your end post, where you'll find hidden bolts. These bolts, called newel bolts, are typically located in the top, bottom, or winding point of a stair railing, and help stabilize the hand rail. Most newel bolts are screwed or bolted in, and you will need to remove them before beginning the real work on your stair rail. Unscrewing the bolts should be the easy part.

With the bolts out, trace around the base of each spindle with a pencil, marking the center point where you will need to drill into later. A sawzall can make the rest of your demolition less laborious. Cutting spindles right through the middle allows you to pull them out of the stair railing with ease. Watch for any nails on the ends of your spindles as they may be sharp. Considering how much a stair railing installation costs, the amount of labor you will have put in at this point will be worth it. 

With your old spindles removed and your center points marked, you have one more step before inserting new spindles. Using your marked center points as your guide, drill straight down into your railing about a ½ inch with a ⅝ inch spade drill bit. Now, install new spindles into your stair railing attuned to your design tastes. If the new holes aren't deep enough, don't be afraid to drill a little deeper until you find the right depth for the new spindles. Once the spindles are in, you can give them a wipe down or polish. If you're up for it, you can customize the whole thing even more by staining your hand rails for a fresh look. These are just a few stair railing ideas you can use to update your boring staircase.

For best results, make sure you take proper measurements as this can mess everything up quickly otherwise. Also ensure you pre-drill your holes so the wood doesn't break or split when inserting new spindles. Finally, make sure you fasten your railing using the appropriately sized bolts or screws so you can maintain the stability of your hand rail after all the hard work you put in.