Where does stairs & railings fit your project?
Pick the closest match. Each one shows how we handle that kind of job, then you can go deeper or book a visit.
For homeowners: Stairs & Railings
Planned for the home you live in, with the work done in order and the site kept clean.
- Scope agreed in writing before any work starts
- One lead on site from start to handover
- Clear records at handover
For custom homes: Stairs & Railings
Included in the full new-build plan, with the trades coordinated under one lead.
- Scope agreed in writing before any work starts
- One lead on site from start to handover
- Clear records at handover
For commercial spaces: Stairs & Railings
Scheduled around occupancy, built to the commercial code and the building use.
- Scope agreed in writing before any work starts
- One lead on site from start to handover
- Clear records at handover
For high-rise buildings: Stairs & Railings
Planned for vertical access, fire separation, sound and the building schedule.
- Scope agreed in writing before any work starts
- One lead on site from start to handover
- Clear records at handover
For renovations: Stairs & Railings
Scoped with the rest of the renovation so the trades work in the right order.
- Scope agreed in writing before any work starts
- One lead on site from start to handover
- Clear records at handover
Stairs & Railings
Stairs and railings built to code and to last, with the safety and the look planned together.
How this guide works
Stairs and railings are where safety and style meet. The code sets the numbers, and the material and finish set the look. Work through the decisions in order.
Decision 1: Where stairs and railings are used
Stairs go into houses, basements, decks and commercial buildings. Each has its own code point and load.
| Use | What matters most |
|---|---|
| Interior residential | Rise, run, headroom, handrail |
| Basement and utility | Headroom and clear width |
| Decks and exterior | Guard height, weather exposure |
| Commercial | Load, width, fire separation, accessibility |
Our pick: Commercial stairs have stricter rules. Check the code for the use before the design is set.
Decision 2: Code numbers
Rise, run, headroom, handrail and guard heights are set by code. We check them before anything is cut.
| Item | Code point |
|---|---|
| Rise and run | Even steps within the code range |
| Headroom | Clear height over the stair |
| Handrail | Height and graspable shape |
| Guards | Height and spacing |
Our pick: Measure the code numbers first. A stair that fails the inspection costs more than a stair built right.
Decision 3: Stair construction
Stairs are built as stringers with treads and risers, or as solid stairs. The construction affects the look, the strength and the cost.
| Type | Good for |
|---|---|
| Open stringer | Modern look, light feel |
| Closed stringer | Traditional look, more support |
| Solid or floating | Premium look, more structural work |
Our pick: Closed stringers for most houses. Open or floating where the look is the priority and the structure allows.
Decision 4: Railing material and finish
Railings can be wood, metal or glass. Each has a different look, maintenance and cost.
| Material | Life | Maintenance |
|---|---|---|
| Wood | Good with care | Regular finish |
| Metal | Long life | Low |
| Glass panels | Long life | Low, cleaning |
Our pick: Metal or glass for modern homes. Wood for traditional and cottage looks.
Decision 5: Install and check
The install is checked for fixings, plumbness and code before the finish is applied.
| Check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Fixings to the structure | The railing carries load |
| Plumb and level | Safety and look |
| Final code check | Passes inspection |
Our pick: Check fixings to the structure. Railings are a safety item, not just a finish.
Decision 6: Warning signs and timing
Stairs give warning signs before they become unsafe. Loose or moving parts are the first ones to fix.
| Sign | Act by |
|---|---|
| Squeaks and movement | Checking the fixings and the stringers |
| Loose or wobbling tread | Refixing the tread now |
| Uneven rise or run | Checking the layout against code |
Our pick: Fix the loose tread first. It is the most common cause of a fall.
Decision 7: Permits and inspection
A new stair in a new opening usually needs a permit and an inspection. Replacing a stair in the same place often does not.
| Scope | Check |
|---|---|
| Same stair, same place | Confirm the code points |
| New stair or new opening | Permit and inspection likely |
| Commercial stair | Check the code and accessibility |
Our pick: Confirm the scope before the design is set. A new opening changes the approvals.
Decision 8: Coordination with the other trades
Stairs depend on the framing, the finished floor and the railings. The finished floor height has to be known before the stair is built.
| Trade | What the stair needs |
|---|---|
| Framing | Opening and support sized correctly |
| Flooring | Finished floor height confirmed first |
| Railings | Built to code with the stair |
| Painting | Finish applied before the handrail is fixed |
Our pick: Set the finished floor height before you measure the stair. A wrong height is hard to fix.
Decision 9: Warranty and maintenance
Stairs last with sound fixings and a maintained finish. A short yearly check catches most problems early.
| Item | What to do |
|---|---|
| Fixings | Checked yearly |
| Finish | Refreshed when it wears |
| Wood stairs | Kept dry and sealed |
Our pick: Check the fixings yearly. It is the cheapest safety step in the house.
Questions
Do stairs need to meet code?
Yes. Rise, run, handrail and guard heights are set by code, and we check them on every job.
Can you change a stair to a different style?
Yes. Changing the style can affect the layout, so we check it first.
How long does it take?
Most stair and railing work is planned in a few days on site, depending on the scope.
Talk to the Plug
Tell us the stair, the railing and the look you want. We check the code, the structure and the finish, then recommend the build.
Related: Basement RenovationsDecks & PatiosAll contracting
Haven’t called the Plug yet?
Call, text, DM us, or submit your project and an expert will call you.