I need to install a railing for my front portico...

[X_Digger]

5. What kind of cost are you budgeting? And your skill level?

You can get railing kits that use aluminum tracks and posts, covered in plastic that looks like wood- the manufacturer recommends using a concrete fastener or expanding bolt into concrete, or lag screws into wood. They're like an erector set for big kids. Easy to put together and install, quite stable if you do it right, but rather pricey.

e.g.- http://www.pennfence.com/railing

Or there are plastic railing kits that are a bit less expensive - http://www.tamko.com/Decks-Docks-Railing/Tam-RailRailingSystem

Or you can roll your own wooden railing to match the color and style of your home.

For sturdiness, you'll want to use a system that anchors the posts well in any case.