Basement stairway handrail

I have to find and install a handrail for safety purposes on a 5' section of wall that is next to the basement stairway in our 60 year old house. This wall has drywall covering the studs, which should probably be hit right on center to anchor the brackets that hold the rail. I cannot see the spacing of the studs from any direction, but I can see some stud spacing in an attic above the stairway on the other side. (the other side is poured concrete up to floor level. The wall and studs on the other side are not where the railing will be useful. Would it be safe to assume that the studs on the other side were spaced the same as the ones I cannot see?

 

No, it's never safe to assume. Use a stud finder to precisely locate the studs or else a magnetic studfinder to locate the drywall fasteners. Then I would suggest you use a single hole style of handrail bracket.

Code now says that handrail ends must be mitered and return back to the wall so as not to catch clothing. Top edge of the handrail must be 34-38" as measured vertically from the front corner of the nosing of the stairs.