- 1). Measure up from the ground to above the top step by 3 feet. This is the height needed of the post to hold the top of the railing. Repeat with the bottom step to get the height of the post to hold the bottom of the railing. This is 2/3s of the full length of these posts. Posts need to be buried in the ground to 1/3 of their length.
- 2). Figure out the full length of the posts needed. Divide the measurement you got for the top post down to the ground by 2, to get the 1/3 measurement, then multiply by 3 to get the full measurement. Repeat the process with the post for the bottom of the railing.
- 3). Measure and cut two 4-by-4s to the length determined in Step 2.
- 4). Dig post holes for the railing posts. Dig the holes right next to the steps. Dig them to one-third the length of the individual posts plus 6 more inches. Fill the holes with 6 inches of gravel and tamp it down. The gravel will keep water away from the base of the posts.
- 5). Place the posts in the holes and layer the holes around the posts with 3-inch layers of dirt and gravel, repeating until the holes are filled. Tamp down each layer as you go. Use a level to keep the post vertical as you fill the holes.
- 6). Drill holes through the posts and into the bottom of the steps if possible. Insert bolts into the holes and tighten down with a socket wrench. If you can reach under the steps, screw nuts on the back of the bolts to secure them.
- 7). Measure the distance between the top of the two posts. Cut a 2-by-4 board about 4 inches longer than this measurement. Mark the length with a pencil and saw off the unneeded portion with a handsaw. Hold the saw at a 45-degree angle as you move it back and forth. Press in as you saw to force the blade farther in.
- 8). Drill 3-inch screws through the 2-by-4 and into the posts to anchor the board in place as the railing. Attach it at both ends to the posts with two or three screws in each post.
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