Is it an easy DIY job just to change the banister on a staircase?

[sweetheart]

Just that really?

We were hoping to replace the entire lot but having had quotes of a few grand it won't be getting done for a while. So I thought in the meantime I'd just paint the spindles white and add an oak banister like in the picture attached. Is this an easy DIY job - by banister is only 1 small run.

[PigletJohn]

Like everything, easy when you know how. I am not much good at woodwork so would get a local joiner in. You need recommendations and to see a sample of their work.

It is safety-critical that it does not fail when you fall down the stairs and grab it with great force.

[Testificateman]

It all depends on your old banister and the spindles and the new banister.
If the banister is still in quite good condition, can you not strip it back, sand it down and stain or varnish it?

[sherbetpips]

when you say add an oak banister do you mean remove the current one and fit a new one - could you just stain what you already have?

To fit a new one you need to be able to cut the wood at an accurate angle or mitre it so it fits securely. If you cant do that its a no go.

[sherbetpips]

Although a jobbing joiner would be happy to do the temp fix for you as well as will be cheaper than the whole thing.

[whatsthecomingoverthehill]

A few grand?? That seems like a crazy price. I'd be expecting the stair as well for that.

[sweetheart]

Hmmm ok thanks - it is already stained / varnished a horrible colour so perhaps I'll see if I can strip the varnish off before moving onto anything more "industrial"

[VeritysWatchTower]

Only needs a light sand and then use Zinsser BIN 123 primer. It does say you don't have to sand to use it (it is used to prime laminated furniture before undercoat and painting)

Fitting a banister is not straight forward. You have to fit each spindle in and the spacer between each one. Plus attach it to the post. Unless you are very good at DIY then I wouldn't tackle it. I wouldn't and Dh and I plumb in bathrooms/tile/lay flooring etc.

Personally I would go down the strip the banister route, just the banister and paint the spindles. If you haven't ever painted spindles before have a dry run with either a roller or brush depending what you are using to see how you will approach it.

I have stripped/sanded/painted a few staircases and these days I pay a decorator to do it because it pisses me right off to do all the fiddly bits. Cost me less than £100

[sweetheart]

Thanks - whats the primer for? Seems expensive - is it worth it? We usually just sand down and then stick gloss on.

I think I'm going to start by stripping the varnish off and see what were left with. Then we can decide if we want to paint them or not.