Installing shower hand rail

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Managing Your Property
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Installing shower hand rail

Hsin Chen
Philadelphia · Member since 2021 · 2 posts · 3 votes

I just got a new elderly tenant couple. They are asking if they can install a grab bar in the shower, and they said they would find the handyman and pay for it themselves. 

I’m not really comfortable having a handyman install it and would rather have a licensed contractor or professional do the installation. Can I approve the accommodation but require that they use a professional contractor instead? That would cost more for the tenants, and I’m sure they wouldn’t be happy about it. 

Is it unreasonable for me to ask them to cover the additional cost? Or should I offer to pay for the amount that exceeds the handyman’s price?

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Stuart UdisPro Member
Attorney · Philadelphia · Member since 2018 · 2k+ posts · 3k+ votes
3mo

Why don't you simply install the grab bar? This way you control the material and labor ensuring the proper application and installation method. Not a large expense.... quite frankly a rounding error in the grand scheme of owning a property. Not to mention, the goodwill you will receive usually helps over time.

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  • Richard F.
    Honolulu, HI · Member since 2008 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    4mo

    Based on your detailed Screening process, do they have any savings or enough income to actually afford it? If not, perhaps offer to have YOUR contractor perform the install (quoting reasons such as "he knows the property better", and "he will be responsible if he causes unexpected damage", and of course, as the PM you only allow licensed contractors) You can also have your guy do it, with them paying an agreed amount up front, and balance over X months to you. 

    You do not state what the shower wall type is, which makes a big difference in how anyone proceeds. Is it a structurally solid, ceramic tile over hardi board; fiberglass tub and surround; plastic or fiberglass surround kit; solid surface Corian type material; or something else? Are the studs standard wood, or has metal framing been used? All of these factors matter.

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  • Leroy K. WilliamsPro Member
    Property Manager · Southfield Mi · Member since 2018 · 181 posts · 171 votes
    3mo

    Let them have their own person do it, however, instruct them to provide material submittals for your approval before work starts. Included with the submittal should be plans for the installation.  By doing this you will save on cost while ensuring that the install is performed correctly and to your standards.

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  • Janice Carter
    Real Estate Broker · Atlanta · Member since 2024 · 1k+ posts · 604 votes
    3mo

    @Hsin Chen I don’t think it is unreasonable to require that the installation be done professionally, especially for liability and safety reasons. If you have a reliable contractor that you work with, I would refer him to them but allow them to get another quote if they wish, since they are the ones paying for the work.

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  • Stuart UdisPro Member
    Attorney · Philadelphia · Member since 2018 · 2k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    3mo

    Why don't you simply install the grab bar? This way you control the material and labor ensuring the proper application and installation method. Not a large expense.... quite frankly a rounding error in the grand scheme of owning a property. Not to mention, the goodwill you will receive usually helps over time.

    [email protected]
    1Reply
  • Jim Johnson
    Real Estate Agent · Memphis · Member since 2026 · 543 posts · 315 votes
    3mo

    I don’t think it’s unreasonable at all to want the installation done properly, especially for something safety-related like a shower grab bar. If it fails later, it becomes much bigger than just a small handyman project.

    Personally, I’d probably frame it less as denying the accommodation and more as setting reasonable installation standards for liability and safety reasons. A poorly anchored grab bar can actually create more risk than having none at all.

    I’d also think about the long-term value to the property. Properly installed grab bars are becoming more common and may not even be something you’d want removed later depending on future tenants.

    The cost-sharing part is probably more relationship/operational judgment than anything. Covering the difference between a handyman and licensed installer could be a reasonable goodwill move if you want to keep the process smooth while still controlling the quality of the work.

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  • Alioune Camara
    Realtor · OH · Member since 2026 · 122 posts · 77 votes
    3mo
    Quote from @Hsin Chen:

    I just got a new elderly tenant couple. They are asking if they can install a grab bar in the shower, and they said they would find the handyman and pay for it themselves. 

    I’m not really comfortable having a handyman install it and would rather have a licensed contractor or professional do the installation. Can I approve the accommodation but require that they use a professional contractor instead? That would cost more for the tenants, and I’m sure they wouldn’t be happy about it. 

    Is it unreasonable for me to ask them to cover the additional cost? Or should I offer to pay for the amount that exceeds the handyman’s price?


    You absolutely can approve the request while requiring that the work be done by a licensed and insured professional to protect your property from water damage and ensure it is installed safely. While the cost of making this type of physical modification is traditionally the tenant's responsibility, forcing them to use a more expensive contractor than their own handyman can easily strain the relationship. A great property management approach is to handle this through a collaborative conversation: explain that your insurance requires a licensed professional for any drilling into tub surrounds, and consider offering to split or cover the cost difference as a gesture of goodwill that adds permanent, high-value safety features to your property.

    I hope that helps!

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  • Jimmy LieuBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Columbus, OH · Member since 2019 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    3mo
    Quote from @Hsin Chen:

    I just got a new elderly tenant couple. They are asking if they can install a grab bar in the shower, and they said they would find the handyman and pay for it themselves. 

    I’m not really comfortable having a handyman install it and would rather have a licensed contractor or professional do the installation. Can I approve the accommodation but require that they use a professional contractor instead? That would cost more for the tenants, and I’m sure they wouldn’t be happy about it. 

    Is it unreasonable for me to ask them to cover the additional cost? Or should I offer to pay for the amount that exceeds the handyman’s price?

    I don’t think it’s unreasonable at all to require that the installation be done properly, especially for something safety-related like a grab bar where improper installation could lead to injury later on. A lot of landlords would want a licensed and insured contractor for liability reasons, even if the tenant is paying. I’d probably approach it cooperatively and explain that you’re happy to approve the modification, but because it involves bathroom walls and a safety device, you need the work done by someone qualified and insured. Personally, I’d lean toward covering at least part of the additional cost difference if it’s significant, just to keep goodwill with an elderly tenant and avoid making the accommodation feel difficult. In the long run, having a professionally installed grab bar may actually add value and help future tenants too. I’d also make sure expectations are in writing regarding who handles repairs or patching later if they move out.
    [email protected]614-300-7535
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  • Drew SygitBusiness Member
    Property Manager · Royal Oak, MI · Member since 2012 · 12k+ posts · 9k+ votes
    3mo
    Quote from @Hsin Chen:

    I just got a new elderly tenant couple. They are asking if they can install a grab bar in the shower, and they said they would find the handyman and pay for it themselves. 

    I’m not really comfortable having a handyman install it and would rather have a licensed contractor or professional do the installation. Can I approve the accommodation but require that they use a professional contractor instead? That would cost more for the tenants, and I’m sure they wouldn’t be happy about it. 

    Is it unreasonable for me to ask them to cover the additional cost? Or should I offer to pay for the amount that exceeds the handyman’s price?


    Your house, your rules!

    Should also be covered in your lease.

    Check with city Building Dept because a permit is not usually required to install a bathroom handrail on a SFR.

    If no permit required, why would you hire a licensed contractor?

    Just find a competent handyman:) 

    [email protected]248-209-6824
    Logical Property Management4.9451 Reviews
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