Yes. Send us the form and drawing and we will build the materials list at no cost, with no obligation to order. Pricing comes from the dealer, since dealers set their own.
Plan Your Project
Get an estimate on your projectWe are here to help you turn a deck into a parts list. Send us your project information, dimensions, and a drawing, and we will build the materials list for your railing or QwickBuild aluminum deck framing project. You take that list to your preferred dealer, or to any dealer listed on our site, and they price and supply it.
Get a Deck Railing Estimate in Six Steps
- Measure your deck: Record every run that needs a guard, plus stair runs, gate openings, and deck height above grade.
- Download the estimate form: Download the PDF for a railing project for a guard or handrail package. Download the PDF for an Outdure deck project if you looking for lifetime aluminum sub-framing for your deck with QwickBuild.
- Fill in your project details: Check off colour, infill, top rail, guard height, and mounting method, then print the form.
- Sketch your layout: Draw the deck outline on the printed form or on a separate sheet and write your measurements against each run.
- Scan or photograph the drawing: A flatbed scan or a high-resolution phone photo both work, as long as every number is legible.
- Email your drawing: Send the completed form and the sketch as attachments to sales@vistarailings.com.
What to Measure Before You Fill Out the Form
This process is recommended to be done by experienced builders as the accuracy of your materials list depends entirely on the numbers you send us. Work around the deck perimeter and record each run separately rather than giving us one total.
- Length of every deck run that needs a guard, measured to the nearest inch, wall face to wall face or corner to corner
- Any angled corners, bay sections, or returns, with the angle noted on the drawing
- Stair runs: the distance from the nose of the top tread to the nose of the bottom tread, the number of treads, and whether the guard goes on one side or both
- Gate openings, including width and which way the gate needs to swing
- Deck height above finished grade at the highest point, since that determines guard height
- Decking and rim material, so we know what the posts are fastening into
Note openings on the drawing too. A doorway, a stair landing, or a hot tub cutout change, where posts land, and post positions are what drive the count.
How to Draw a Usable Deck Sketch
Your sketch does not need to be to scale or drawn in CAD. It needs to be readable and complete.
- Draw the deck outline first, viewed from above, and mark the house wall so we know which sides are open
- Write the length of each run along that run, not in a separate list
- Mark stairs with an arrow showing the direction of travel, and note tread count beside it
- Show gate locations with the swing direction drawn in
- Circle anything that interrupts a run, such as a door swing, a bump out, or a hot tub
- Note the colour and infill you want beside each run if they differ from one side to another
Download PDF for Railing Project Download PDF for Outdure Deck Project
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does an estimate take?
Turnaround depends on how complex the deck is and how complete your drawing is. A single level deck with clear dimensions moves quickly, while a multi-level layout with stairs, gates, and mixed infill takes longer. Our office is open Monday to Friday, 8am to 4:30pm PST, so requests sent over a weekend are picked up the next business day.
Do I need exact measurements?
Yes. The drawing does not need to be to scale, but every dimension written on it need to be accurate. Run lengths, stair measurements, and gate openings determine post positions, and post positions determine the part count, so an approximate number produces an inaccurate list.
Can I get a price directly from you?
No. We manufacture only and sell through a network of VISTA dealers and distributors, so your quote comes from the dealer you choose. We supply the list of parts that quote is built from.
Do I need a permit before I order railings?
That depends on your municipality and the deck itself. Therefore, it is important that you check with your local building department before ordering, because a permit review can change required guard height or other pertinent details.
