When to Hire a Professional Indoor Handrail Installer or Stair Builder

You’ve been searching for months to find the perfect home, and you’ve finally found it. After weeks of negotiations, inspections, contracts, and appointments, you’ve got the keys and are all settled in. Now that you own a beautiful home and are all moved in, you may also find yourself bit by the renovation bug! 

There are so many exciting and creative projects a homeowner can embark on, sometimes it can even be a little overwhelming. Will you be searching for an architect to put an addition on your starter home? 

Are you looking to upgrade your kitchen or bathroom to something more modern and open? 

Do you want to create a stunning look with a grand staircase? 

The options are endless, and while we’d love to help you solve them all, here at Pinto Carpentry our specialty happens to be that last one.  Indeed, we can certainly help you learn the ins-and-outs to finding a stair builder and railing installer near you. (In fact, we might even know a few who have plenty of experience under their tool-belts!)

When you’re done reading today’s blog, we bet you’ll be feeling confident in vetting your next set of contractors, and in particular, railing and stair carpenters!  Let’s get started.

Can I DIY my handrails and repair stairs myself? When should I hire a Professional Indoor Handrail Installer or Stair Builder? Let’s discuss!

While we’re big advocates for homeowners entering the DIY zone for basic home repairs, there are some jobs that are best left to the industry professionals. Of course, there are plenty of folks out there with a keen eye for carpentry and woodworking, but when it comes to stairs and railings, two vital pieces of safety in your home, there’s nothing truly comparable to the years of work history and railing installation experience.  These installations require the utmost precision, understanding of building codes, and proper material selection to ensure safety and durability.

How do I find a reputable Handrail Installer and Railing Contractor?

To find a railing installer and indoor handrail company, you’ll want to check websites like Angie’s List, Houzz, Pinterest, and other contractor related search databases.  Searching local social media with hashtags like #IndoorRailings #StairBuilder #HomeBuilder #GeneralContractor in your region are another great option!  Some facilities will have a woodshop or show room that is open to the public so you can view things in person. However, it’s worth noting that not every carpentry shop and railing contractor will have a woodshop open to the public.  Regardless of public showrooms or woodshops, your contractors should still be easily reachable by phone, e-mail or other form of direct communication like direct messaging on social media.  For instance, here at Pinto Carpentry we have several online portfolios and social media accounts, as well as a website with this blog and portfolios, but we do not allow the general public into our woodshop for safety and security purposes.

What are the benefits of hiring a professional handrail installer and stair builder local to my area?

The materials available at your average hardware store and bulk-buy retailer are generally not as durable or quality as the materials a professional builder will have accessible.  In the long run, allowing the contractor to help you secure supply and materials and installing with their expertise and keen eye will save you money and repairs in the long run.  We also recommend against purchasing materials on sites like Etsy or Facebook Marketplace, as we cannot stand by or vet the quality of those materials, and will not be able to give you a quality workmanship guarantee.  The advantage of hiring a professional indoor handrail installer or stair builder is that we will source from manufacturers that supply only quality lumber and materials for each project. This ensures that the work is guaranteed to stand the normal wear and tear of daily home life.

While the DIY approach might be tempting, we advise you err on the side of caution on railing installation, banister repair, and stair repair for the safety and wellbeing of you and your family.  Of course, we still wholeheartedly encourage you to learn the basics of carpentry and woodworking to do basic repairs as it’s a thrilling and rewarding pursuit.

Indoor handrails are not just aesthetic, though there are plenty of ways to customize them to your tastes, but they’re also very functional and integral to the safety of our homes. A professional railing installer will know how to install handrails as well as a full balustrade, and will have the specialized tools to install them without damaging your walls or stairs. This means you’ll have something that’s not just functional and safe, but beautiful and eye-catching!  The best of both worlds when it comes to form meets function.

A builder who works local to your area will have a portfolio of work that reflects the options that are available to you as a local homeowner; different states and cities have different regulations, so your professional railing installer will know what materials and styles are able to be installed in your area.

Professional railing installers and stair carpenters will also be able to advise you if the project is feasible or not.

Peruse your railing installer and stair builder’s portfolio of recent work on their website and social media, and look at online reviews from recent and past customers.

Select a handrail installer who has a reliable history and is fully licensed, provides a safe working environment while in your home, and is up to date with recent regulations and building codes. Failure to correctly install a railing or properly repair a stair can lead to safety issues and serious injury, so you’ll want to choose someone who works consistently with up to date building codes and safety standards.  Look at their website, their social media, or request reference photos from past projects which will demonstrate a history of working on indoor railing projects like yours.  If you’re looking for something complex, make sure the handrail contractor’s portfolio will match the style and look you’re requesting.

Additionally, make sure the portfolio you’re looking at matches your needs.  Portfolios are great at helping determine the proper company for the job!  If you’re looking for outdoor stairs, you won’t want to call an indoor railing specialist.  If you need concrete steps replaced, then a stair carpenter isn’t the correct contractor. If there are no spiral staircases in the portfolio, for instance, it may not be a specialty they offer, but the portfolio may show instead that they offer curved stairs or specialized cantilever options.

Look for an experienced railing installation and stair building company that does this full time!

Once you’ve got a shortlist of railiung installers and stair builders in your area, it’s time to contact them directly.  Ask how long they’ve been working as a handrail contractor or railing installation company. When you call, it should be apparent that they not only have experienced carpenters and handrail contractors, but a knowledgeable office and sales staff as well.    There’s always a time and place for hiring beginners, but this isn’t one of them!  Professional, experienced carpenters will know local regulations, be familiar with industry terminology, and ensure you have a finished project that meets code regulations. Whenever professional handrail installers and stair builders do employ apprentices or newbies, they will be heavily monitored and always working alongside the expert staff.

Ask what services they provide beyond installation and repair, and remember that not all contractors provide finishing and painting services. 

Verify up front if they offer finishing or staining services, or if there are pre-primed materials available in your price point. Not all railing contractors and handrail installation companies offer this service. (Relatedly, some materials may only be offered pre-primed or finished in higher price point ranges.) It is important to know if your company will complete this or if you require a third party. Sometimes this is covered by the general contractor on site if part of a larger renovation project.  Your railing contractor will be able to let you know about this step, or they may be able to source specialized materials.

Request a consultation to have your local railing installer and stair carpenter visit your home/building, or at the very least, be ready to send them photographs and videos of the area to receive an estimate. Your railing contractor should be able to supply you with an estimated range for the total cost of the railing project, and help you find the right priced material options for your budget. You may be requested to send photographs of the current indoor handrail in need of replacement; this will help your railing contractor and the salesperson get you a more precise and realistic estimate for your handrail.  Different factors such as material choice, location, difficulty of repair/build, availability of materials, etc may affect the estimate from initial date to the time the project begins. Any changes or updates made after the initial estimate should be recorded in writing so that expectations are very clear and well-communicated.

 If you're looking for banister replacements, indoor handrails, custom handrail, custom wooden stairs, new stair construction, new railing installation, or other related carpentry work, we're the local NJ carpenter for you!

We are available to work in most regions of New Jersey, and accept work for both commercial and residential projects. Looking to improve your home or business’s indoor railings, working on new construction requiring an indoor railing carpenter and installer, give us a call!

At Pinto Carpentry, our 20+ years of industry experience have given us the confidence and reputation as a leading name in railing installers and handrail contractors for New Jersey.  We aim to give each of our clients the same personal care and attention to detail as we would while working on our own family homes. Reach out by phone, email, or direct message on our social media to request a custom consultation today and receive your personalized estimate.   Our trusted staff would be happy to speak with you and provide a detailed estimate for quality custom handrail.