How to Refurbish Your Bannister and Staircase

Thinking about a bannister renovation or looking into the cost of a new bannister? Before you rip everything out and spend £800+ on a full replacement, consider whether a bannister refurb or staircase restoration could give you the same transformation for a fraction of the price.

In many cases, the restoration of bannisters and stairs can cost as little as £50–£150 in materials, compared to the high cost of installing a completely new bannister.

Whether you want to:

• Refurbish your staircase
• Repair a damaged bannister
• Modernise old spindles
• Remove carpet and update your stairs
• Or simply refresh tired woodwork

This step-by-step guide will show you exactly how to refurbish stairs and transform your hallway on a budget.

Below, I’ll walk you through four real DIY staircase renovation projects that completely changed the look of our home, without the cost of a full staircase replacement.

How Much Does a Bannister Renovation Cost?

One of the first things I looked into before starting this project was the new bannister cost. I was surprised at how quickly prices added up once you factor in materials and labour.

If you are considering refurbishing your staircase, here is a realistic cost breakdown based on my experience and current UK pricing.

DIY Bannister Renovation Cost

If your existing structure is solid and you are carrying out a banister refurb yourself, you can expect to spend:

• Sandpaper and consumables: £20 to £40
• Paint or wood stain and varnish: £30 to £80
• Replacement balusters: £2 to £8 per spindle
• Adhesive, filler and fixings: £20 to £50

Typical total DIY cost: £50 to £300

This is assuming you already have basic tools. Even if you need to buy a sander, it can still work out far cheaper than replacing everything.

Professional Bannister Renovation Cost

If you hire a tradesperson to refurbish stairs, including sanding, painting and replacing balusters, expect:

• Labour: £200 to £400 per day
• Full staircase refurbishment: £600 to £1,200

Prices vary depending on size, materials and finish.

New Bannister Cost in the UK

If you decide to install a completely new bannister, costs increase significantly.

• Softwood staircase and bannister replacement: £800 to £1,500
• Hardwood or oak system: £1,500 to £3,000 plus
• Glass panel systems: Often £2,000 plus

For most homes, unless there is structural damage, a bannister renovation offers far better value than installing a brand new system.

Project One – Paint Stripping and Re-Painting

Sometimes a full banister renovation isn’t necessary. If the structure is solid, a thorough strip-back and repaint can completely refresh the look.

Before replacing your staircase, consider:

• Is the wood structurally sound?
• Does it just need sanding?
• Would a bannister repair solve the issue?

If your bannister has multiple layers of old paint (like mine had — three layers!), stripping it back to bare wood gives you the best finish and avoids a messy repaint over uneven surfaces.

Tools Needed for Bannister Restoration

• Orbital sander (with vacuum attachment)
• Mouse sander for corners
• Multi-tool or Dremel for detail work
• Paint stripper (for thick paint buildup)
• Shave hook for rounded edges
• Fine-grain sanding block

⚠ Always wear gloves, goggles and a mask when using chemical stripper.

Here’s a picture of when I first started this project. As you can see the hallway and bannister were in urgent need of a makeover.

Little did I know when I decided to do this myself that there were 3 layers of paint on the existing bannister.  Overall, I think this took me a week to sand, paint and stain the wood.  Probably the worst part of the job was the mess and dust from all the sanding. If you decide to go this route, ensure you close all the doors in the house and wear protective clothing, especially a mask.

To minimise the mess it’s best to use a vacuum attachment on your orbital sander. This way most of the dust will be collected. Unfortunately, you won’t catch it all so cover your furniture, carpets and anything else you wish to keep dust free.

Sanding

I took the majority of the paint off with an orbital sander.  I bought an orbital sander specifically for this job. You’ll need a load of spare sanding disks as you can wear them out quite quickly.  To get into the corners, I used a mouse sander, and for some other bits, I used a multi-tool.  Something like a Dremel is perfect for getting into all the little corners and tight spots.

Paint Stripper Chemical

For some of the thicker areas, I applied a paint stripper and scraped off the many layers. For some of the rounded corners, I used a combination shave hook. The paint stripper is very potent, so always wear gloves, a face mask and goggles. Always avoid using it around children.

Once I’d removed all the paint, I smoothed it all off with a fine-grain sanding block.  This left a very good and easy surface to treat and paint. Once I’d treated the wood and let it dry, I used masking tape to protect the finish whilst I re-painted the stair stringer.

Painting and Staining

I really liked the look of the original retro styling and wanted to restore this with a slightly modern twist. I decided to retain the warm, inviting feel of the wooden handrail and balusters. The wood was treated with interior wood varnish. Two layers were applied to get the perfect finish.

I painted the retaining runnings with gloss white paint to keep them the same as the rest of the staircase.

The carpet also needed a little refresh, so we took this up and had a new one installed. As you can see below, I’ve also created a couple of under-stair drawers for some added storage.

Much better!

The Second Project – Under Stair Drawers

Adding some under-stair drawers to your staircase is a great way to increase storage space and make use of the lost or unused area under your stairs. This is quite a simple DIY task if you’re willing to take it on.

You can read my full guide on how to build your own under-stair drawers or you can hire a professional for the job.

Here is a quick look at how you can achieve this as a DIY project.

Project Three – Replacing the Balusters as Part of a Bannister Renovation

One of the most impactful upgrades during our bannister renovation was replacing all of the old balusters. While the original refurbishment focused on sanding and repainting, this second phase completely modernised the staircase and gave it the appearance of a new bannister without the full replacement cost.

At the same time, we removed the carpet, painted the stair treads and added a tile effect design to the risers. Together, these changes transformed the entire staircase and made the hallway feel brighter and more contemporary.

You might wonder why we carried out another staircase update after the first refurb. The honest answer is simple. My wife preferred a more modern look. As often happens in home renovation projects, plans evolve once you see what is possible.

Removing the Existing Balusters

The first step in this banister refurb was removing the original 1970s style spindles. This was done carefully using a thin saw and chisel. I left the original handrail in place because it was structurally sound and in good condition. Keeping the existing handrail is a smart way to reduce the new bannister cost while still achieving a major visual upgrade.

If you are planning to refurbish your staircase, always check that the handrail and base rail are secure before replacing the spindles. If there is movement, you may need to carry out a bannister repair before installing new balusters.

Installing New Pine Balusters

We chose pine balusters as they are affordable, easy to work with and ideal for a staircase renovation project. Each spindle had to be cut precisely to suit the rise and angle of our staircase.

To ensure accuracy, I set up a jig on my mitre saw so every baluster could be cut to the same angle and length. Before cutting them all, I installed one test piece to confirm the measurements were correct. Taking this extra step prevents mistakes and saves both time and materials during a restoration of banisters.

To achieve a neat and professional fit at the base, I created a second jig on my table saw. This allowed me to remove a small section at the bottom of each spindle so it could sit securely over the side wall and base rail. Small details like this make a big difference to the finished result and help the staircase look professionally renovated rather than obviously DIY.

Bannister Regulations and Correct Spindle Spacing

Correct spacing between balusters is essential when carrying out a bannister renovation. In the UK, building regulations state that a 100mm sphere must not be able to pass through any part of the staircase. This means the maximum gap between spindles must not exceed 100mm.

This rule is particularly important if you are refurbishing stairs instead of installing a completely new bannister system. Ensuring the spacing meets regulations improves safety and guarantees that your staircase complies with current standards.

By replacing the balusters and positioning them correctly, you can achieve the look of a new bannister while keeping the original framework in place. For many homeowners, this is one of the most cost-effective ways to refurbish a staircase and modernise a hallway without the expense of full replacement.

Project Four – Remove Carpet for Tiled Effect Risers

This was a great project to give our hallway the ultimate makeover. A low-cost project that made our staircase feel like it was modern and trendy.

The first job was to remove the carpet and retaining carpet strips. I then filled any small holes in the wood with a wood filler. This was then all sanded smooth.

The next job was to paint the risers and treads. For this, we used special floor and stair paint.

The self-adhesive tile effect stickers were cut to size and fixed in place.

We have a wooden effect laminate floor on our landing so I had to make a special bullnose to wrap around this and finish the staircase off neatly. This needed to be strong so I made it out of oak.

So here is the final staircase.

What a transformation. This was probably the lowest cost upgrade we have taken on in this house and it has made such a huge difference. Now, this is the first thing you see when entering the house. It’s a talking point for everyone who comes in.

Bannister Renovation vs New Bannister – Which Is Best?

If you are thinking about upgrading your staircase, one of the biggest decisions is whether to carry out a bannister renovation or install a completely new bannister.

Before I started refurbishing ours, I assumed replacing it would be the best option. Once I looked into the new bannister cost, I quickly realised that most staircases do not actually need a full replacement. In many cases, the structure is perfectly solid and just looks dated.

Here is a simple comparison to help you decide.

Bannister Renovation	New Bannister
£50 to £300 DIY	£800 to £2,000 plus
Keeps original structure	Full removal and replacement
2 to 7 days DIY	1 to 3 days professional install
Ideal for cosmetic upgrades	Needed for structural damage

For us, a bannister renovation made far more sense. The handrail was secure, the posts were solid, and there was no rot. It just needed modernising. By sanding, painting and replacing the balusters, we achieved the look of a new bannister without spending thousands.

When Should You Install a New Bannister?

That said, sometimes refurbishment is not enough. There are situations where installing a new bannister is the safer and smarter choice.

You should consider full replacement if you have:

• Severe structural damage, such as movement in the newel posts or loose handrails that cannot be secured properly.
• An outdated layout that does not meet current building regulations, especially around baluster spacing or height.
• A desire to switch to a completely different system, such as glass panels, oak feature rails or a more contemporary design that cannot be achieved with the existing framework.
• A major staircase redesign where the entire layout is being altered.

If your staircase is unsafe or fails the 100mm spacing rule, a new bannister may be required to bring everything up to standard.

My Honest Recommendation

In my experience, most homeowners searching for a new bannister actually need a well-planned bannister renovation instead. Unless there is structural damage, refurbishing is usually the most cost-effective way to refurbish a staircase and modernise your hallway.

Before committing to the cost of a full replacement, check the condition of the handrail, base rail and posts. If they are solid, you may be surprised at what a bannister refurb can achieve.

Thanks for reading this DIY bannister makeover guide. I hope it’s given you some ideas and inspiration to have a go at this yourself. As it shows, you can refurbish your bannister on a low budget and without too much effort.

Please feel free to comment below and ask any questions. I’ll be happy to answer them.

Bannister Renovation FAQs

Is it cheaper to refurbish a bannister or install a new bannister?

In most cases it is much cheaper to refurbish. A DIY bannister renovation is often in the £50 to £300 range if the structure is sound, while a new bannister cost can easily run from £800 to £2,000 plus depending on materials and labour.

What is the typical new bannister cost in the UK?

It varies by style and materials. Softwood replacements are usually the cheapest, hardwood and oak systems cost more, and glass systems tend to be the most expensive. The biggest cost jump is usually labour and fitting rather than the timber itself.

When should I install a new bannister instead of doing a banister refurb?

I would lean towards a full replacement if there is severe structural movement in the newel posts or handrail, rot or water damage, or if you want a completely different system such as glass. Also consider replacement if the existing layout cannot be brought up to current safety standards.

What is the 100mm rule for baluster spacing?

When refurbishing stairs or doing a bannister renovation, the gaps between spindles must be small enough that a 100mm sphere cannot pass through. In simple terms, the maximum gap between balusters should not exceed 100mm.

Can I replace spindles without replacing the handrail?

Yes, and it is one of the most effective upgrades. If the handrail and posts are solid, swapping dated spindles for new balusters can make the staircase look like a new bannister for a fraction of the cost.

How long does a bannister renovation take?

For DIY, it depends on stripping, drying times and how fussy you are with sanding. A simple paint refresh might be a weekend job, but stripping and refinishing plus spindle replacement can take several days, especially if you are working evenings.

Do I need a professional for staircase refurbishment?

Not always. If it is cosmetic, many people can refurbish a staircase themselves with patience and the right tools. If there are safety issues, major movement, or you are changing the structure, it is worth bringing in a professional.

Why not take a look at some of my other DIY home improvement projects?