How Much Does It Cost to Install a Grab Bar?

Average Cost to Install a Grab Bar

Grab Bar Labor Costs

A handyperson costs $55 to $125 per hour, depending on the location. Installing multiple grab bars is often less expensive if done all at once. Expect to pay around $250 for a contractor to install three grab bars in one job. However, the labor cost for installing grab bars depends on the number of bars you need installing, any necessary modifications and your location.

Your local ADA contractor may also need to add support to the wall, which may increase the cost by around $200.

Remember that many people choose grab bars that comply with the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA). These bars can be of great assistance to those aging in place and people with mobility issues. You can contact disability services in your area to learn more.

Grab Bar Costs

The cost of a grab bar varies significantly from $20 to $500. The price will ultimately depend on the size, materials and features. Grab bars fit universal guidelines for adaptive bathrooms and other rooms. Remember to factor them into the cost to remodel a bathroom for those who require mobility assistance.

The L-shape grab bar is the most popular type at $50 to $275 per bar. However, there are various options to fit any scenario, including:

• Straight grab bars: $20–$100

• Clamps for bathtub grab bars: $25–$125

• 90-degree grab bars (L-shape): $50–$275

• Flip-up/-down grab bars: $50–$275

• Wall to floor grab bars: $90–$250

• Swing-away grab bars: $45–$450

• Floor to ceiling grab bar: $150–$450

• Trapeze grab bar: $85–$500

Straight Grab Bars

Straight grab bars range from $20 to $100. The most common kind of grab bar is a basic, straight grab bar. They make a single straight rod that provides sturdy support. They come vertical, horizontal or angled, and are available in several lengths, materials and colors.

Grab Bar Clamps

Grab bar clamps cost from $25 to $125 each and are often outside of the cost to install a walk-in tub. The side of the tub may fit with a grab bar clamp to give a firm and helpful handhold to individuals getting in or out of the tub. These grab bar clamps are simple to install; you only have to place the clamp in the proper location and then twist a knob or dial until it latches.

L-Shaped Grab Bar

The L-shaped grab bar ranges from $50 to $275, comes in various sizes and materials and has a 90-degree angle. You can have them installed on the wall and provide horizontal and vertical handholds for various settings.

Flip-Up and -Down Grab Bars

Grab bars that flip up and down range from $50 to $275 and have a tiny hinge that allows them to flip or move out of the way when not in use. They’re usually installed by the toilet or near the tub to assist with getting in and out. Some versions mount to the floor, while others attach to the wall.

Floor-to-Ceiling Grab Bars

Wall-to-floor grab bar prices range from $150 to $450. You install them from floor to ceiling like a pole and form an L-shaped extension from the wall. The bar bends down to connect with the floor. They're generally located near the toilet to get on and off quickly.

Swing-Away Grab Bars

Swing-away grab bars cost $45 to $450 and have stationary bars and a pivoting bar that swings sideways or locks into place at various angles. This function makes them highly adaptable. They're commonly installed along the wall by the toilet. These bars help people sit down and stand up, but you can also use them around other parts of the house, such as by a sofa or bed.

Trapeze Grab Bars

A trapeze bar ranges from $85 to $500 and comes with many bars and pieces, including a hanging handhold suspended from an overhead beam. These bars go beside or over a bed. The position allows you to reach and hold to alter a position or move from off the bed.

Grab Bar Installation Cost Factors

Installation costs vary considerably. The number and type of grab bars and the location of the bar have an impact on pricing. The wall may need reinforcement depending on the weight of the bars and where you place them. Expect labor prices for this type of job to increase in this case.

Grab Bar Installation Costs Near You

Typical grab bar labor costs vary by location. Here's what you can expect to pay for grab bar installation near you:

• Arizona: $85–$300

• California: $90–$340

• Colorado: $95–$365

• Illinois: $100–$380

• Maine: $90–$390

• Nebraska: $85–$325

• North Carolina: $95–$360

• Pennsylvania: $85–$300

Cost to Install Grab Bars Yourself

For an 18-inch bar, expect to pay about $20. Any longer grab bars or ones with decorative finishes like bronze or copper may increase to $50 or more. Overall, expect to pay around $30 for these materials to do it yourself.

You can save $50 to $100 off the total project cost by installing grab bars yourself. All you need to do is ensure they're ADA compliant. You can install a grab bar using a drill, screw anchors ($10 per pack) and grab bars bought from any home improvement store.

DIY Grab Bar Installation vs. Hiring a Pro

Installing a grab bar is not as straightforward as installing a towel rack. The wall may need reinforcing to allow for good contact from all three screws on each side of the grab bar. Or, the studs might need a more precise alignment. If the grab bar isn’t firmly fastened to the studs and reinforced, a falling person's weight might pull it free from the wall, causing injury.

If you’re confident in your DIY skills and understand ADA guidelines for grab bars, then this may be an appropriate project to DIY. However, due to the strict nature of the project, we recommend that you hire a home disability retrofit contractor to install grab bars in your home.

Installing ADA-Compliant Grab Bars

Grab bars are necessary when building or renovating a bathroom and complying with the ADA's standards. The ADA specifies appropriate types of grabs bars, and each must adhere to the following:

• Support must be available next to the toilet for someone to get on and off

• The bars must have an outside diameter between 1-¼ and 2 inches

• Any gap between the grab bar and any projecting objects must be at least 12 inches wide

• Grab bars must not spin nor contain sharp edges or hazardous grip material

• They also need to support a weight of 250 pounds when pulled simultaneously from both ends

FAQs

Do grab bars need to be installed in studs?

When hanging grab bars, make sure to put them in a stud. Alternatively, if there is no stud, use an anchoring device. Ensure there is enough space within the hollow area behind the wall so that an anchoring device will function.

Where should grab bars be placed?

Section 609.4 of the ADA states: Install grab bars at least 33 inches and no more than 36 inches above the floor to the top of a gripping surface.

How much does it cost to replace old grab bars with new ones?

Material and installation costs for replacement grab bars run about the same as new ones. You may have to install additional holes or new anchors if the new bars are of different lengths or sizes than the old ones. The project may cost an extra $25 to do so.