It isn't hard to do and it's always something to post after finding fun flipper fodder.
Going downstairs I immediately noticed that the staircase was sans handrail.
Mentioning that to my clients they said when they asked about one, Flipper (not his real name) told them he had looked up the code.
The code told him that the requirements said this staircase was not "wide" enough for a handrail.
To that I said, "Ummmm..." Direct quote.
This staircase is actually wider than a lot at 38".
It certainly requires a handrail.
So I had a little fun with it.
On the report I included links to local County and International Residency Code (IRC) mentions as regards handrail installations and requirements.
Let's just say that those links virtually inundate people with information!
There are requirements about everything! When one is necessary, how high, its thickness and how far from the wall, shapes - it goes on and on!
There are diagrams showing measurements, specificity as to strength, continuity along a wall, where on the wall it should end (top and bottom), well, you name it, the many, many codes show it.
I can only hope Flipper felt pure gratitude at my helpfulness!
Yes, I'm sure he did!
My recommendation: your home inspector is likely to be just as helpful with information and instruction as you go about understanding the needs your house, even your NEW house, must satisfy. And remember, the code requirements represent a MINIMUM standard and there is no reason your builder, or Flipper, can't exceed them!
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC 
Based in Bristow, serving all of Northern Virginia.
Office (703) 330-6388 Cell (703) 585-7560
Jay, I'm sure Mr. Flipper felt something, but I'm not holding out hope for pure gratitude. I'm thinking something along the lines of $*U$(*(*@!!!! Home INSPECTOR!!!!
And that wasn't the only thing he was grateful for Bliz! He got a lot of "help" from me!
LOL Jay. I'm sure he was thrilled.
Oh, and LOL if the stair case hadn't been wide enough...wouldn't that then mean 2 code violations?
Dang it Flipper! I can just see someone tumbling down thoses stairs, looks like a looong way down there too! If they had a set of suction cups... they could grip on to the walls!
Unbelievable! I have had VA appraisers flag a three step entrance because it did not have a hand rail. I think that staircase might have had more than three steps....
I had a flipper question me on a water heater TPR valve extension pipe. Seems the plumber, the county inspector and "everyone else never had a problem with it." I enlightened him similarly ;)
Hope flipper was happy, inspections by professionals is always best. Good thing the stairway was wide enough no extra problems that way.
Good morning Jay. Wth? A flipper who miquoted code? Unheard of. lol. Exactly why it is so important to have a professional inspection done.
The cost of adding a handrail can't be that much, can it? The safety it adds would be a huge benefit for anybody who looks at that long staircase and see's the potential for accident.
Good one Jay. It's hard to believe how hard a flipper will try to save a few dollars and maybe endanger someones life.
A handrail tends to keep the kids little dirty hands off the walls as well....
It seems like common sense that a handrail is needed on any stairwell, the interpretation of code is one of those discussions I'm sure happens all the time, but just looking at the stairwell you know that a handrail is needed.
A flipper making hos one recommendations of what is code or not . .based on hoe much money it cost them. . that would be the day
Flipper gratitude! Ha.! What a concept.
Aside from 'code', how about 'common sense' and basic 'safety'. I just don't get into code argumrents. It it is sub par, it's sub par. Period.
If he wasn't going to put a handrail up at least carpet the stairs to cushion the fall.
I love it "flipper fodder". I agree with Robert what about safety and we know common sense was not present.
The interesting twist is that if the stair was not wide enough to require a handrail the width would be less than allowed :)
Oh Jay, will it ever ends with Mr. Flippers??? Sometimes I think people just wake-up and feel like they want to change their profession and be ..... today. :)
Tatyana
Hi Jay, I can just see the agent tap dancin' around the answer while trying to divert the buyers' attention.
A Flipper who tried to cut a few corners? Unheard of! haha Jay, every home should have a professional home inspection. Even the pretty ones.
Debbie - he loves me now, for sure! I think he was saying that the stairs needed to be real wide to require a handrail.
Yeah, but Fred, there's that hook at the end to slow your fall.
Debbie - not sure how you put a receptacle in a moving island!
Kathryn - I'm pretty sure too. Let me go count. Just a minute.
Back - yep, it has more than three!
Jim - you lone wolf, you! Imagine, there was really info out there?
Caron's - this was a wider-than-usual staircase! A handrail could not crimp anyone's style.
Randy - he never looked anything up. He was blowing smoke to get them off his back, with the specious mention of the code "requirements." The code(s) is/are pretty specific!
Morgan - if you look at the staircase, it would have meant a lot of angled cuts. He didn't want to deal with it.
Wayne - the game is to sell the house, sell the house, sell the house.
Joshua - at the very least! I like a handrail and I am not 83.
I agree Eileen. And there are so many specifics that there is no room for interpretation!
Fernando - you are right. I would never trust a flipper's code interpretation either!
Robert - I never spoke with him, but my clients did! There is not much to argue over here anyway!
Rob - there's that hook at the end to slow the fall too. Between the two I think we're good.
Adrian - common sense, good sense - whatever - they are often not present in new construction and remodeling!
Evelyn - being so narrow one can hold onto each wall as they go up and down! Is my turret room ready yet?
That's it in a nutshell Charlie. And for the really wide staircases, well, just go up and down two by two and three by three.
Tatyana - that would be a fun way to go through life! Wake up and be something new every day...
Bill - nothing up my sleeve! Bunny in the hat!
The prettier the better Eric! And the prettier the more the need to inspect!
Yeah... for some reason, I doubt he was very happy!
He might have a little more work to do Charlie! I hope so anyway.
Was this house being flipped? I did not catch that. Yes, folks, there is a code for everything-- even stuff you have never thought about.
Yes, Gary, the word appears many times, including the builder's "name," to indicate that.
Well, those Flipper types like to do only the bare minimum. Glad you straightend him out! Thanks for your post today,
Morning Jay where do people come up with these ideas? Anyway congratulations on the feature and I hope you have a good day
I guess that's why most accidents happen in our own homes.
Pamela - I am hoping my clients straightened him out!
James - he was blowing smoke, not having read any code anywhere. He didn't want to do the rail because of all the turns it needed.
Ken - the codes are there for reasons, and one of the biggest reason is safety!
Sounds like Flip can read a tape measure....or want an FHA buyer....safety related issues are always flagged loudly.
Good catch. If they were try to save less than $100 dollars on the hand rail what other corners were they try to cut.
This is a very expensive house, S&D, almost $2mil (!), so I doubt FHA would be interested! But I am!
Exactly Keith. And they try to save it in any way they can!
What is it with handrails...or rather the lack of them? I think that is one of the things I see missing most in a home when I walk through it.... That and the obvious lack of a experienced caulking professional.
Handrails are an obvious characteristic of stairways Mike, or should be. As to caulking, I have always said that builders could not build anything without caulk! But most caulkERS stink.