Home Services Guidelines and Best Practices
Grab Bar Installation
Grab Bar Installation guidelines, FAQs and unit pricing information
January 2017
Are you looking for independent, trustworthy advice about Grab Bar Installation? Do you need to understand common installation options? If your project calls for Grab Bar Installation work, the following guidelines and best practices will help you understand: Is a subcontractor really necessary for Grab Bar Installation work? Will a permit be required? What are common problem areas? How much will Grab Bar Installation labor cost? What are the important Grab Bar Installation quality checks that should be included in the work requirements?
Grab Bar Installation - Frequently Asked Questions
| What is a fair price for Grab Bar Installation? | Costs vary with project size, job quality and time of year. For typical Grab Bar Installation expect to pay between $26.63 to $186.38 for each grab bar. Additional fees are typically charged for small projects or rush jobs. |
| Is a permit needed for Grab Bar Installation work? | Design approval and permits from your local building department are not required for Grab Bar Installation. If your home is subject to homeowner association (HOA) covenants, you should verify that your Grab Bar Installation project complies with association guidelines. |
| Is it worth using a professional to perform Grab Bar Installation work? | The effectiveness of Grab Bar Installation will depend on service provider skills, use of proper tools and attention to detail. |
| Is Grab Bar Installation something that I can do myself? | The typical Grab Bar Installation project can be completed by a moderately skilled do-it-yourselfer; as with any project, high quality Grab Bar Installation requires attention to detail and careful planning. |
| How many days are typically required to complete the Grab Bar Installation work? | Normally, this work can be completed in 1 day. |
Grab Bar Installation - Options, Quality Checks and Important Details
Use the list below to document your expectations for level of detail and finish quality for Grab Bar Installation. Make sure that relevant information is included in any written contracts or work orders on your project. Before any Grab Bar Installation work begins, review the checklist with the service provider. Tie payments to satisfactory completion of this checklist.
- The layout, location, style and finish appearance of ALL materials used in Grab Bar Installation will be approved by owner, before any work begins
- A detailed grab bar layout - showing material placement and all joints/seams - will be reviewed and approved before work begins
- Grab bar will be installed so that the grab bar base/trim is solidly attached and attached completely flush to the mounting surface
- There will be no gap of more than 1/16 inch wide where the grab bar meets adjacent surfaces; a gap (in no cases wider that 1/16 inch) can be hidden by: __scribing __a smooth bead of caulk __ appropriately finished molding
- The grab bar finish will match the finish color and sheen of adjacent hardware
- The grab bar surface and surface finish will be free of surface defects, irregularities and any physical damage
- Each bar lockset/latching mechanism will be held immovable by the strikeplate when closed - there will be no "play" of the lockset within the strikeplate
- The grab bar will be solidly attached and not slide, rock, twist or move when used
- The grab bar surface and surface finish will be free of surface defects, irregularities and any physical damage
Grab Bar Installation - Work Milestones and Project Reminders
The following list summarizes work tasks commonly performed during Grab Bar Installation. These tasks help ensure proper completion of the grab bar work and compliance with common manufacturer and vendor warranty requirements. Make sure that either you or your service provider takes responsibility for each of these tasks. All service provider task responsiblities should be clearly called out in the written contract or work orders.
- Complete written contract, including scope of work, quality checks, warranty, timing and payment terms; ensure that contract is signed before work begins
- Review and approve detailed layout / plan that shows location, orientation and placement of grab bar, before any work begins
- Select, specify and order grab bar; verify that type, grade, finish, size, color, any options, and quantity are clearly identified in the order; make sure that delivery date, terms and damage provisions are included in the order
- Confirm date (and time) for project start with subcontractor - one week and two days prior to project start
- Secure backing to structural framing, to serve as stable mounting base for the grab bar
- Remove existing grab bar (optional)
- Install grab bar using manufacturer provided, finished matched screws, in compliance manufacturer recommendations and applicable local building code(s)
- Patch holes, gaps and openings left by the Grab Bar Installation work; patch must be secure and match shape, texture and color of surrounding surfaces
- Inspect Grab Bar Installation and verify that all quality requirements and punch list items are completed correctly
- Submit final payment; pay with a check to ensure expense can be verified for tax purposes
