What kind of professional would I call to install a handrail on concrete front porch steps? What kind of professional would I call to install tub grab handles on tile? I have found lots of railings and lots of grab handles, but no “installers.”
Internet searches using these terms and my town name end up with all these out of town and out of state companies that require all my info then I guess they send them out for bids to somebody. Don’t want to do that. Rather deal with companies directly.
your local construction contractor should be able to hand it. Look for someone who does home remoldels.
You can ask your neighbors if they have any good recommendations. Also, home supply stores usually have contractors they work with and recommend.
Don’t know if they have such in your area, but absent a recommendation, this is the sort of thing I’d look in the back pages of our local newspaper for - it seems to me a local ‘handyman’ could do the job satisfactorily. I would think they would know how to install these safely and securely.
That’s what I was going to recommend as well; there’s nothing too amazing about how to install them- just some hole drilling and making sure that they’re installed on a stud, or with sufficient drywall anchoring.
Yeah, local handyman. Had one install a handrail on concrete patio steps and hand grabs in the bathroom for my parents a few years ago. Fine job – no problems.
I’ll mention not to get to fancy about who to hire for a small job like this. I looked at homeadvisor-.-com a while back and the incredible amount of spam emails and phone calls that wouldn’t quit (and that were horrendously overpriced and mostly not wanting to do the job I wanted done) – got so frustrated I finally started shouting extremely crude profanities at them and sending multiple emails just saying “Fuck you” before the finally stopped.
Metal fabricators can make the custom metal porch railings and will often do the install as well.
Maybe search for ‘accessibility installation’ or ‘disabled access installation’ ?
As mikecurtis suggested, ask at someplace like Lowes or Home Depot. The place you purchase your railings and grab bars can often help you contact an installer, particularly if helping you in this way seals the deal on the sale. I bought ceramic tile at Lowes, and they helped me find an installer.
Another possibility would be to ask your insurance agent (if they are local) for recommendations. Railings for porches and stairs are something people often need to install before an agent will sell you a policy that includes liability insurance. Your agent may know local installers for those things.
Installing railings is easy, as mentioned above. Installing them well is rather uncommon—give 'em a shake as you enter most businesses, and it’s obvious they’re not going to remain sturdy for long. In three different towns I’ve done the same thing: drove around looking for sturdy-looking railings, then physically/visually inspected to test. Churches are a great bet, with lots of long walkways and ramps for elderly visitors. They usually also have someone around during daytime hours, and since they often get discounts for these large installations, they’re eager to give recommendations.
I have not-particularly-handy friends who, after they bought their house, relied on the real estate agent for recommendations to plumbers, electricians, handymen and even a decorator.
There’s usually a family member that can install grab bars. All it requires is a drill, 3" wood screws and a wall stud.
I’ve installed tub grab bars in my home and for family members homes.
You want stainless steel grab bars. Don’t buy the cheap chrome plated at HD.
I had metal railings put on my front steps (brick & sandstone) and this is what I did. I hired a metal fabricator to make them and they installed them.
Find a local handyman. You will have regular use for him. The other options mentioned here will be expensive. For example find porch railings at Home Depot or Lowes rather than have them custom made.
When we had to ‘elder-proof’ my mother’s house some time back, we got great advice and recommendations from her town’s Senior Citizen division. I forget what it’s exact name was, but I’ll bet every town has a department to help with Senior Citizen needs.
Anyway, they knew exactly what things we should do, advised us on quality brands, and provided the names of trusted installers/handymen. Totally excellent results all around.
Home Depot contracts with installers. Some are good and others are not. HD would install railings bought from them.
You need to inspect the install closely. Make sure they secured the railing properly. They should use at least 2 1/2" wood screws. I’d prefer 3".
HD sells PVC and aluminum stair railing. I wouldn’t want any elderly person grabbing onto a PVC railing for support. PVC isn’t strong enough. IMHO
The aluminum should be ok if it’s properly screwed into wall studs or posts.
Same here. They are great quality, powder coated, are very solid, and look great.
All of your suggestions have been very helpful. For future reference, if you are trying to make your house safer for your elderly parents or if you are recovering from an injury and do not want to fall down, here are some search terms which will help you find the right people to help you: “mobility and safety equipment,” “home safety renovations,” “disability access,” and “home modifications.” It is helpful to throw the words “senior” or “elderly” in there to get some more hits.
Some of the search hits are companies that specialize in this sort of thing, others hits are for organizations that advocate for the elderly, disabled, and veterans who can recommend people.