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Have you planned your budget only to find out installing a door costs way more than you had anticipated? We’ve talked about budgeting projects before, but today we’re going to give you a break down of door installation costs. How Much Does It Cost to Install a Door?
*Please note there are doors that are more expensive than we've included in our average costs. For the sake of this article we are focusing on the average cost of a single residential door.
Interior Doors
At the time of this writing, the average cost of an interior door ranges from $200 to $900 per door in Southern California.
Why is there a range?
The material and style of the door plays a big role.
Hollow Core vs Solid Core
MDF vs Wood
Door Styles
In stock doors vs custom doors
The price listed above does not include the cost of installing the door, hardware, delivery, paint, or haul-away and removal of your old door.
If you factor in labor, you're looking at paying anywhere between $300 to $1,100 per interior door. Every contractor will be different, so make sure you discuss you budget with them.
Interior door installation costs will vary depending on a few different factors.
Pre-hung vs Slab
Door Type (i.e. pocket door, barn door, sliding door, swing doors)
New opening vs retrofit
The condition of the door opening
Remember, every year the cost to maintain employees, insurance, and licensing goes up. What this means for you, the consumer, is that the prices today will only increase tomorrow.
Cost saving tip
In-stock manufactured doors are the cheapest option. While custom doors are the most expensive.
Why?
Custom doors require skilled tradesmen days to months to produce a single door. This labor rate is then tabulated into the cost that is passed onto you.
The big box stores buy the in-stock doors in bulk at a discounted cost from the manufacture before passing that on to their customers.
If your budget can allow it, you can also pick up a semi-custom door. These door styles are produced by the manufacturer, but tailored to your needs. Talk to your contractor or sales person to make sure this is an option for you.
Exterior Doors
At the time of this writing, the average cost of an exterior door ranges from $300 to $10,000 in Orange County, California.
Again it doesn't include hardware, trim, or labor. As you've noticed the range is even larger than interior doors.
Why such a large range in pricing?
Exterior doors come in a wide variety of materials and styles. Therefore, prices will fluctuate depending on your style choices. Front doors especially, will often have decorative features. No matter what, all exterior doors must be properly weather sealed. In many cases, this makes the process of installation and demolition more labor-intensive.
Door Materials (Engineered Wood, Steel, Fiberglass, or Iron)
Type of door (Single, double, slider, pivot etc.)
Glass panel vs. Solid
Design
Size (6ft vs 8ft)
Labor costs can range from $1,000 to $3,500 depending on the type of door being installed and location. Remember, the bigger and heavier the door, the more expensive it will be to replace.
Front doors will usually cost more than side doors.
Double doors will cost more than single doors.
Eight-foot doors will cost more than your average six-foot doors so forth and so on.
Cost Saving Tip
Unless you’re a trained licensed professional, don’t try to install your doors yourself. It will cost you twice as much for an installation company to fix your mistakes.
Also, if you have a security system make sure you let them know you’re having a new exterior door installed. After the installation is complete, arrange for them to adjust or replace the door censors.
Choosing A Different Can Save Money
We’ve talked a lot about labor costs but we really haven’t mentioned cost saving tips for materials.
You can usually save money by choosing a different door or hardware style. Talk to you’re local designer or contractor to see if there are options similar to the style you like.
Choosing a different medium will also reduce the cost of the door. Fiberglass is more expensive than wood or steel doors. Hollow core interior doors are less expensive than solid core.
Just be careful not to install wood doors in intense weather areas. Most wood door manufacturers are no longer giving warranties for their doors.
Warning
Remember, the longer you put off a project the more that it will cost. Usually door companies raise their prices about 1 to 3 percent each year. In 2021, door companies increased material costs from 7 to 15 percent depending. In 2022, door costs increase another 10 to 15 percent. In 2023 we saw a similar jump in price.
As for 2024, manufacturers are increasing their prices again. What use to cost less than $50 a few years ago, is now well over $350. Expect door installation costs to increase as well.
We hope you found our blog beneficial. Sharing is caring (unless it’s an infection) so please subscribe to our blog for future helpful hints and share with your friends. If you have a question or would like us to give you a free estimate for your home improvement project, please contact us, we’d love to hear from you.
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