Labor cost to replace stair railing, balcony railing, and handrails?

last year

Im wondering what it should cost just for the labor to remove old wrought iron railings and handrails and replace with all oak. Also how much for labor to stain all of it? I‘ll attach pictures of the exact project, before & afters. There is 7 lin. ft. of stair railing, 11 lin. ft. of balcony railing, & 14 lin. ft. of handrail.

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Joseph Corlett, LLC

last year

"Looks like carpenter rates for the zip code can run between 20-25 bucks an hour as a base pay hourly. Let's say hundred hours labor since we don't know what materials we are working with so it might take longer than expected or than one person on the crew. Plus maybe another 500-1000 for handling others materials fee. So maybe around the ballpark of 2500-3500 base for labor?"

You are breathtakingly mistaken. Sure, that's what a rough framer may get paid; a handrailer is getting just under boat builder pay. What about the worker's compensation, and the employer side of the tax burden? This can be 33% or more. What, his truck to get to the job runs on air? The insurance on my trucks are $14.00 a day for each. People have no idea how expensive running a business is.

The guy who rebuilt the stair at $5,800.00 is going broke. He may limp along, but he's certainly never going to be able to retire.

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Comments (10)

beesneeds
last year
last modified: last year
That would depend a lot on what the labor rates and material costs are in your area. And a bit on the size and scope of the company being called in.
reesesfav
Original Author
last year
last modified: last year
Im only wondering labor costs. Not material cost. And its in zip code 55110. The project turned out very good. Im just curious as to what the going rate for something like this is for the labor side of things?
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kculbers
last year
I live in northern NJ. In 2020 I had a new red oak staircase installed by a fabulous carpenter who specializes in staircases. He worked alone and was a fusspot for detail!! The complete cost for labor and materials was $5800. Included: remove carpet for stairs, supply and install new oak: retrofit treads, risers and stringers, oak cap, newel posts, railings; supply and install new satin black balusters; apply stain / polyurethane on treads, risers, stringers, posts and railings. He spent a lot of time matching the staircase stain to our porcelain woodlook tile. We are quite pleased with our staircase!! Best of luck on your journey.
beesneeds
last year
Looks like carpenter rates for the zip code can run between 20-25 bucks an hour as a base pay hourly. Let's say hundred hours labor since we don't know what materials we are working with so it might take longer than expected or than one person on the crew. Plus maybe another 500-1000 for handling others materials fee. So maybe around the ballpark of 2500-3500 base for labor?

Really, if you are wanting to use your own materials and pro labor, you might need to call around locally and see who is willing to do that first. Or if they upcharge for it if they are willing.
J F
last year
Should cost somewhere in the ballpark of the quote.
kevin9408
last year
@reesesfav Am I correct to say you already had the job done? Looks like it, so what was the total bill. I believe you want to see if you got screwed on the price, correct?
beesneeds
last year
It's pretty obvious that the OP has already had the work done and is now looking for just a labor rate after the fact. I decided to lowball the hell out of them with basic base rate labor only, with zero factoring in for experience, skill level or other potential overhead costs. What it should cost them is probaby already in the invoice from their contractor.

So now I've tossed out 2500+, and there has been mentioned 7000+. Question is how much labor did the OP actually get charged for the job?

Or on a flip side, it might be a DIY job, and the OP feels pretty darn good for it. Rightly so, it looks tidy. And how they are wondering how much they would charge someone to do it, or wondering how much in labor they saved by doing it themselves.
kevin9408
last year
I can do just about anything but finish millwork is not one of them I like doing. It's very time consuming with high skill sets involved . But the OP's stair railing is rather simple in construction with nothing fancy using basic stock materials that aren't incorporated into the treads. I could see them easily built offsite in little time and can see beesneeds estimate as plausible. I could also see myself building and installing the railing in 3 days time or less. It's no more complicated than a railing for an outdoor deck.
PRO
Mike General contractor
last year
Hi call me and I can give you a great price

Labor cost to replace stair railing, balcony railing, and handrails?

Joseph Corlett, LLC

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beesneeds

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Labor cost to replace stair railing, balcony railing, and handrails?

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