Stairs and railings · Lakewood, Ohio
Porch steps and railings you can trust your weight on
I rebuild wood porch steps, back stairs, landings, and railings. Solid stringers, level treads, and handrails at the right height.
Free estimate. Same-day answer. I answer my own phone.
When steps need more than paint
- A tread flexes or dips when you step near the middle
- The bottom of the stringers sits on soil or a cracked pad and looks dark or soft
- Steps pull away from the porch or lean to one side
- The handrail moves when you lean on it, or there isn't one
- Risers are uneven, so people trip on the same step
Stairs fail from the bottom up. The part that rots first is usually the part you can't see.
The numbers I build to
| Maximum riser height | 8¼ in |
| Minimum tread depth | 9 in |
| Handrail required at | 4 or more risers |
| Handrail height | 34 to 38 in |
From the Residential Code of Ohio. I check current code on every job.
Materials
Painted wood or cellular PVC on front steps of older houses, so the profiles match. Composite treads can make sense on back stairs. Pressure-treated framing everywhere, kept off the dirt. Your written price lists each option and what it costs.
What it usually costs
| Project | Includes | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Front step rebuild | 4 to 6 wood steps: stringers, treads, risers, footing check, handrail | $2,000 to $3,500 |
| Back stair rebuild | One flight to a landing or door, handrail, guard where required | $2,500 to $5,000 |
| Railing repair | Posts re-secured or replaced, rails re-joined, missing balusters matched | $800 to $2,000 |
| Handrail only | A solid handrail on existing steps | $400 to $900 |
Planning ranges, not quotes. Concrete and brick steps go to a mason; I'll coordinate where wood and masonry meet.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to rebuild porch steps?
A front step rebuild of 4 to 6 wood steps typically runs $2,000 to $3,500. A back stair flight to a landing runs $2,500 to $5,000. A handrail alone runs $400 to $900.
How high should a porch handrail be?
34 to 38 inches above the stair nosings, and one is required once there are four or more risers, under the Residential Code of Ohio.
Do you repair concrete or brick steps?
No. Those go to a mason, and I coordinate where wood and masonry meet.