When you are pricing up new railings, it can be all too easy to head straight for the cheapest ones available. The choice is determined by your house, the dimensions of the railings you require and also how long they should endure.
Prefabricated railings: perfect for basic rectangular spaces
If the panels are off-the-shelf, they can be of great value for:
Frontage – Your front is pretty much square and average height
You’re happy to accept from a set arrangement of styles
You want a quicker turnaround.
They tend to be less costly because they are produced in typical dimensions. The other side of the balance is that they might require customisation.
Custom railings: more bang for the buck on fit and finish
When to invest in bespoke designed railings:
You have a sloped ground or unlevel constituents
You need to measure uncommon dimensions, around twists or over steps, a wall that is lower
For example you may want a certain style to fit with an old period property
A complementary gate, handrail or design details.
It can result in a less fussy installation (i.e. where the cost resides) making for a flusher look because it is made-to-measure and will have been tested to much higher standards, therefore usually feels extra secure too. For Wrought Iron Railings, visit https://donkeywellforge.co.uk/what-we-make/wrought-iron-railings/
The hidden costs people forget
Regardless of whether you go this route, ask exactly what is included:
Installation and groundworks
Finishing (galvanising, powder coating, painting)
Gate fittings – hinges and locks
Any future maintenance requirements.
So, which is better value?
Obviously, over-the-shelf is good value when the space is simple. As a rule of thumb, if you have a tricky site or some major quality finish concerns, then bespoke should usually win long term.