Are your porch columns old or simply unsightly? It might be time to refresh them. Here's a breakdown of the cost of replacing porch columns.
How Much Does a Deck Railing Cost? [2025 Data]
Normal Range: $400 - $4,800
Deck and porch service costs depend on your project and location. Check with a local pro for your specific job.
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Cost Insights
Decks and porches with complex angles and corners typically demand higher-than-average rates.
Installing rails on a freshly built deck is generally cheaper than replacing rails on an existing deck.
The average labor cost to install a deck railing is $30 per linear foot.
After size, material type is the largest factor influencing deck railing cost.
On average, homeowners pay $2,500 when building a deck railing. Contractors estimate the cost of this project based on the railing’s linear footage, but many other details go into the final budget, including the materials you choose, where you live, and the condition of the existing deck railing. We’ll break down all the cost factors below.
Deck Railing Installation Costs
Let’s take a look at the cost factors to consider when budgeting for this project.
Size
The linear footage of the railed portion of your deck is the biggest factor in determining the deck railing cost for labor. You can expect to pay more for larger decks and porches. Determining the linear footage needed for your deck railing requires firsthand measurements, as the size varies based on the deck’s layout.
Below, we’ve listed the linear footage of several common deck sizes and calculated the average railing cost for the whole space. It costs between $10 and $50 per linear foot on average. Most railings need posts at least every six feet for support, while some metal and composite railings can have posts every eight feet.
| Deck Dimensions | Linear Feet | Average Railing Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 10 x 10 | 40 | $400–$2,000 |
| 12 x 12 | 48 | $480–$2,400 |
| 12 x 16 | 56 | $560–$2,800 |
| 16 x 16 | 64 | $640–$3,200 |
| 16 x 20 | 72 | $720–$3,600 |
| 20 x 20 | 80 | $800–$4,000 |
| 20 x 24 | 96 | $960–$4,800 |
Material
One of the biggest cost factors is your deck railing’s material. An inexpensive material like wood or Trex should keep the budget low, while steel, glass, and cable railing costs can quickly add up. Materials range in price depending on quality and location.
Aluminum and stainless steel cost an average of $40 to $80 per linear foot, and composite is the budget option, starting at $15 per linear foot. Below is a breakdown of deck railing cost per foot:
| Material | Cost per Linear Foot |
|---|---|
| Wood | $15–$50 |
| Composite / Trex | $15–$60 |
| Vinyl / PVC | $20–$60 |
| Wrought Iron | $50–$100 |
| Aluminum | $50–$200 |
| Steel | $50–$250 |
| Cable | $60–$500 |
| Glass | $100–$600 |
Labor
Most contractors charge per linear foot for deck rail installation labor, ranging from $10 to $50 per linear foot. On average, the labor cost to install deck railing is $30 per linear foot. Some contractors prefer to charge for deck railing installation by the hour instead of charging by linear foot. The average labor cost to replace deck and porch railings is $50 to $150 per hour, depending on the type of contractor.
Placement
Railing contractors may charge more for labor for replacing rails on a hard-to-access deck or porch. For instance, a "balcony" deck requiring a contractor to work on a high, cramped space could bring in a higher estimate than a deck situated on a flat, large yard with plenty of room for tools and equipment.
Location
In addition to your deck’s location, your home’s location also plays a factor in pricing. If you live in an area with a high cost of living, like New York City or San Francisco, you can expect to pay higher labor costs than in an area with a more affordable cost of living.
Additional Cost Factors
The existing deck setup helps to determine how much a new railing installation will cost. Here's a look at some factors that can impact cost.
Removing Current Rails
If you're planning to tear off existing rails to add new rails to a bare-faced deck, this decision generally makes a railing swap less expensive. Expect to pay between $10 and $15 per linear foot for this scenario. In addition, sticking with standard factory-length railings will also keep pricing in that same price range per linear foot. In these scenarios, the railing pro will be able to tear off nailed-in railing from the wood to install new factory-length rails.
Fitting New Rails With Current Support Posts
If you're planning to fit new rails between existing support posts, that could increase labor costs due to the customization and detail required. Contractors could charge as much as $25 to $30 per linear foot to account for the necessary cuts. Expect to pay on the higher end of that range if your deck has lots of angles and corners. If you can fit new rails between existing posts that are in good shape, the cost might be closer to $20 per linear foot.
The cost range might also be closer to $20 per linear foot if your posts fit a factory-available vinyl railing length. Considering that the cost of vinyl railing is $20 to $40 per linear foot, it's possible for a deck or porch with existing posts that need to be worked into the job to still be updated on a budget. The cost savings from fitting new railings between existing posts might be eaten up just a little when choosing metal deck railings instead. The cost of metal deck railing ranges from $40 to $70 per linear foot.
Post Repair or Replacement
If any existing posts need to be replaced due to rot, damage, or style preferences, the cost per new post ranges from $20 to $120. Your railing contractor should inspect your existing posts to determine whether you need to install deck railing posts before diving into the project.
Why You Should Hire a Deck Railing Installation Pro
Hiring a deck builder near you accounts for anywhere from 10% to 65% of your total cost, depending on the material. However, you’ll want to work with a professional to install a deck railing that looks good, is structurally sound, and will last the longest.
Here’s why it’s ideal to hire a deck railing installation pro
Deck railing installations can be complex, so check out why you should hire a professional to handle the job:
Correctly building a deck railing depends on the well-versed expertise of a pro who’s comfortable working with measurements and fitting the deck railing so that it works with your existing deck.
To ensure a proper fit, deck railing materials may require saws and other specialized equipment, which can be dangerous for those who aren’t used to working with such tools.
A pro knows how to install your deck railing so that it withstands the test of time and the elements.
Some materials cost significantly more than average and are harder to maneuver or fit to size. A deck expert can ensure that no materials are needlessly damaged, so you’ll avoid spending extra on replacement parts.
Balcony decks or porches can be dangerous to install railings on, making these unsuitable for DIY projects.
Your pro will ensure that your railing complies with local building codes, eliminating liability risks from a poor DIY job.
If you want to DIY a deck railing installation
While we recommend you work with a deck installer to install your deck railing, there are still plenty of ways that you can help with the installation process DIY-style, including:
Removing old deck railing and disposing of it yourself
Putting away deck furniture and decor during the installation
Trimming trees and shrubs that could make it difficult for your pro to access your deck
Next Steps: Finalize Your Project With a Pro
Be sure to discuss with your pro the type of deck rail material you want since labor prices can reflect harder-to-install materials (like glass).
If you need to remove existing rails, discuss this decision with your pro. They might be able to retrofit the new rails to the existing posts if they’re in good condition, which would require more customization work.
Let your installer know of any factors that could complicate the installation. Balcony decks in hard-to-reach places can take longer and come with a higher quote than easy-to-reach, open spaces.
Consider additional services offered by deck builders, including pressure washing your existing deck, repairing or replacing other parts of your deck, new light features, pergola installation, and deck refinishing.
How Angi Gets Its Cost Data
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
Frequently Asked Questions
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