Deck or porch railing costs $20 to $600 per linear foot installed, and replacing railings on a typical deck runs $950 to $1,800 (about $1,100 on average).1,2 Wood and vinyl are the budget picks at $15 to $60 per foot; cable and glass systems top out at $600 per foot.1,2,3 Prices below are national averages* for 2026.
*National averages, not local quotes. Your price depends on the material, total length, deck height, and local labor rates.
$20 – $600
per linear ft installed
$950 – $1,800
typical replacement
$1,100
average job, Angi
$10 – $50
labor per linear ft
Cost by material (installed, per linear foot)
| Material | HomeGuide | Angi / HomeAdvisor |
|---|---|---|
| Composite | $25 – $60 | $15 – $30 |
| Vinyl / PVC | $25 – $60 | $20 – $40 |
| Wood | $20 – $50 | $40 – $50 |
| Aluminum | $50 – $200 | $40 – $70 |
| Stainless steel | $50 – $250 | $30 – $80 |
| Wrought iron | $50 – $100 | $50 – $120 |
| Cable | $60 – $500 | $50 – $200 |
| Glass | $100 – $600 | $100 – $600 |
Two of these sources share one dataset. Angi and HomeAdvisor are sister brands and publish identical railing tables, so treat them as one opinion, not two.2,3 HomeGuide is the independent set here, and it prices aluminum ($50 to $200) and stainless ($50 to $250) well above Angi’s figures.1,2 For a 10-foot section, HomeGuide totals $200 to $600 for wood or vinyl, $250 to $2,500 for metal or composite, and $600 to $6,000 for cable or glass.1
Total cost by length (HomeGuide)
| Railing length | Wood or vinyl | Metal or composite | Cable or glass |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 ft | $100 – $300 | $130 – $1,250 | $300 – $3,000 |
| 10 ft | $200 – $600 | $250 – $2,500 | $600 – $6,000 |
| 20 ft | $400 – $1,200 | $500 – $5,000 | $1,200 – $12,000 |
| 50 ft | $1,000 – $3,000 | $1,300 – $12,500 | $3,000 – $30,000 |
Balcony railings run $500 to $9,000 installed for 10 feet, depending on material and add-ons.1
Parts and hardware (HomeGuide)
| Part | Price |
|---|---|
| Posts | $50 – $150 each |
| Post caps | $5 – $130 each |
| Balusters / spindles / pickets | $5 – $20 each |
| Handrail, subrail, or bottom rail | $5 – $25 per ft |
Stair railing sections cost $20 to $250 per linear foot versus straight runs.1
Labor and replacement costs
HomeGuide puts installation labor at $10 to $50 per linear foot, with general contractors at $50 to $150 per hour or 10% to 20% of the project.1 Angi quotes pros at $50 to $120 per hour or 20% to 40% of the total, arguing the percentage runs high because railing materials are relatively cheap.2 Demolition of the old railing adds about $7 per linear foot.2
Permits: a real disagreement
HomeGuide says small-job building permits cost $50 to $300, while Angi and HomeAdvisor say to budget $300 to $2,000, though most municipalities skip permits for straightforward replacements.1,2 The safe move: ask your local building department before work starts (our advice).
Replacement cost by city (Angi)
| City | Average replacement |
|---|---|
| Philadelphia, PA | $650 – $1,250 |
| Nashville, TN | $750 – $1,300 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $800 – $1,300 |
| Portland, OR | $900 – $1,600 |
| Austin, TX | $1,000 – $1,900 |
| Seattle, WA | $1,000 – $2,000 |
| New York, NY | $1,200 – $2,100 |
DIY or hire
Angi recommends hiring out anything on a deck raised more than a foot, and warns an improperly anchored railing is a genuine fall hazard.2 Low, ground-level wood or vinyl swaps are the realistic DIY tier (our view). Home Depot’s deck railing section sells complete railing kits by material (plain link, not affiliate). ADA-compliant railings add about 15%.2
Related guides
Banister Replacement Cost (2026): Stair Railing Prices by Material
Composite decking cost
Handrail and Stair Railing Cost
Deck Cost
Deck Repair Cost
Deck Staining Cost
Screened-In Porch Cost
All cost guides
Sources
1. HomeGuide — Porch & Deck Railing Costs
2. Angi — How Much Does It Cost to Replace Deck Railings?
3. HomeAdvisor — How Much Does It Cost to Replace Deck Railings? (shares Angi’s dataset)