Grab bars are a common safety and accessibility feature to assist with safely moving from sitting to standing, or getting around in slippery areas. Grab bars are usually installed in the bathroom, but can also be useful in other areas of the home and workplace.
Hiring a licensed handyman or bathroom contractor to install the grab bar(s) will ensure that the bar can withstand the force and weight of a person in need, without risking the bar ripping from the wall and causing an injury.
Cost Factors for Grab Bar Installation
1. Grab bar material cost
You can find a number of different looks, sizes, and brands of grab bars online or at your local hardware store. The price of the materials will impact your total price paid for grab bar installation.
2. Number of grab bars
Depending on what you need, it may be more cost effective to have multiple grab bars installed at the same time. Contractors may be willing to bundle or discount the price for multiple grab bars.
3. Additional safety fixtures
Are you interested in shower chairs, or other kinds of safety rails in addition to grab bars? These are related safety and accessibility fixtures that may be useful for your overall project.
4. ADA compliance
For commercial spaces, you will likely have to comply with regulations related to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Contractors might charge slightly higher rates if they are experts in this area.
5. Wall materials
Grab bars must be installed into a stud on either end, otherwise additional blocking in the wall will be required to support the bar. Depending on the wall and where you want the bar installed, there could be a higher cost for adding blocking.
6. The geographic area
Going rates for installing grab bars vary slightly from location to location. Labor costs are usually higher in big cities.