Bannister- how much to replace and is it worth it?

[Babyiwantabump]

Has anyone had a staircase bannister replaced and could give me a rough idea how much it would be? Currently have a hidiious 1950 bannister which is enclosed so no spindles just a solid panel up the stairs and along the landing and I'm thinking of replacing it - we are planning to move in the next two years though so I'm just slowly doing the house up to sell.

Is it expensive? Is it worth it? Would it put you off a house?

It does make the entranceway dark as blocks all light from upstairs.

I'm in two minds what to do!

[boolifooli]

Ours cost £750 to do. Pine chamfered spindles.

[DailyMailDontStealMyThread]

Yes it is worth it and not having a decent one would put me off as a negative.

We paid £2k for ours, its stunning and with a lick of paint, new stair runs the hall is now a really nice area. I sit on the stairs and read because I like it so much

[ijustdontknowanymore]

Ours was £600, pine chamfered spindles which we've painted white. In my opinion it was worth it, as now our hallway is nice and light. If I were buying a house (and not wanting to renovate) then it might put me off a bit yes.

[Babyiwantabump]

Ooh so not too bad then at about £700 ish .

Would I need to get a carpenter in to quote? Or a builder? I wouldn't even know who to ask!

[Babyiwantabump]

I've always wanted it doing myself but have never really looked into it as I thought it would cost thousands!

[ijustdontknowanymore]

It's a carpenter you'll need. It's not too big a job (dependent on the size of the house obviously), ours took maybe a couple of days.

[MrsLettuce]

Are you sure there aren't spindles that have been boxed in? People used to do that a lot.

[Babyiwantabump]

MrsLettuce it doesn't look like it - it's quite a thin board down the middle and looks like it's always been like that .

I've never seen one the same in any other house!

[MrsLettuce]

Mmm, right. Interesting. Is it a 50's house? If it is (and you're looking to sell soonish) then I'd leave as is 'cause of being an unusal and original feature.

Boxed in spindles would usually take up about two or three inches or so in breadth. Doesn't sound like that's what you have.

[ACurlyWurly]

I did mine myself, it cost £200 for parts from B&Q and my labour was free, only took a couple of evenings and whilst I am resourceful I am not a carpenter by any stretch
I kept the end posts and added new top rail runner and spindles

was only a 2.5m run on the landing but as I didnt need to do the stairs

[didireallysaythat]

I'm surprised bannister's cost so much. We had the same kind of panelled staircase (1950s) house and we replaced both the stair case and the bannister's for