The average cost to install a door is $1,225
Door installation costs an average of $1,225, with most projects falling within the range of $498 to $1,973.
Key cost factors include the material of your door, local labor rates, and whether the project requires a new frame.
Completing a door installation can increase home value, improve security, and enhance energy efficiency.
Hiring an experienced installer ensures that your door is level, secure, and operates smoothly from the start.
This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.
Installing a new door costs an average of $1,225, with most homeowners spending between $498 and $1,973. Location, door size, material quality, and the frequency of door replacement all impact your bottom line. Build some wiggle room into your budget for extras, and consider hiring a professional door installer for a smooth, long-lasting finish.
The most significant factor to consider is the actual door price. Still, you should also factor in additional parts and hardware, as well as whether you can use your existing frame or need to install the door in an existing wall, among other factors.
Labor is a big portion of the total bill. Your crew might include a carpenter, a skilled handy person, or a dedicated door installation professional.
Expect to pay between $40 and $90 per hour for a door installation contractor or between $30 and $40 for the cost of a handyperson. That covers removing the old door, preparing the frame, setting the new slab, and ensuring everything is square and sealed. Rates climb in big cities and drop in rural areas.
Budget an additional $40 to $200 for hauling away the old door, plus $60 for junk removal fees, where required.
Interior doors range from $375 to $1,125, while exterior models cost more, ranging from $550 to $2,000. If you want sidelights, plan on an additional $600 to $2,000.
Interior installs are usually quicker—and therefore cheaper—because they skip heavy weatherproofing and security hardware. Exterior doors require more time, resulting in higher labor costs. Big-city rates tend to trend up, while rural markets have lower rates.
These costs include materials (the door itself, supplies, and hardware) and labor; contractors are responsible for providing their tools. Many contractors offer a discount when installing multiple doors.
A slab door is a basic door sold without a frame. When installing one, you can attach it to your existing frame or create a new frame. The individual sides of a door frame—the two sides and the top—are referred to as jambs.
A prehung door comes pre-attached to a door frame via hinges on one of the jambs. If you purchase a prehung door, you'll still need to buy a knob, strike plate, and locks. Prehung doors are more expensive than slab doors.
Door Part | Average Cost |
---|---|
Jambs | $150–$250, including materials and labor |
Hinges | $2.50–$30 each |
Knobs and locks | $10–$300 (materials only) |
Transition strips | $20–$100 (materials only) |
Dead bolts | $50–$100 (materials only) |
If you're using an existing frame (and it's still in good condition) in a standard size, you can easily find a replacement door. Standard sizes are 30, 32, or 36 inches in width by 80 inches in height, with a thickness of 1.25 inches.
When installing a standard door in an existing frame, you can often tackle this project as a DIY installation with minimal tools. However, if your project requires a custom door size or a new frame, it's best to hire a contractor to handle the job.
Labor costs range from $100 to $300 for either solid-core or hollow-core doors. The slab itself costs between $100 and $500 for solid core and between $50 and $200 for hollow core.
Hollow core doors are lighter and easier to install than solid core doors. However, they're less durable and block less sound.
Note: A solid-core door is filled with wood particles or foam—don’t confuse it with a solid-wood door, which is significantly more expensive.
If you are installing a door in a new location (i.e., in an existing wall), your project will likely require drywall, electrical, and potentially plumbing work. Consult with a contractor for details on your project, but in general, you can plan on these average labor costs:
Drywall installation costs: $50–$100 per hour
Electrician costs: $50–$130 per hour
Plumber costs: $45–$200 per hour
A basic door installation costs between $200 and $1,800. However, if your project requires customization—such as security systems, sidelights, and transoms—the price can increase significantly, ranging from $500 to $10,000 or more, depending on the materials and labor required. Custom doors alone can cost up to $10,000 before labor costs.
If your door installation project requires building a new door frame (or replacing an existing one), factor in the cost of the frame, as well as the labor to install it. In general, replacing a door frame costs an average of $200 to $650, plus the cost of disposing of the existing frame, if applicable.
A new door frame installation may take one to three hours. Interior frame installation is more affordable than exterior frame installation.
The type of door you install has a significant impact on the final installation cost. The tables below illustrate the cost of installing a door by type, which includes the price of the door, materials, and labor.
Door Type | Average Cost |
---|---|
Interior door | $375–$1,125 |
Exterior door | $550–$2,000 |
French doors | $600–$5,800 |
Fire-rated door | $400–$1,300 |
Sliding doors | $1,200–$4,500 |
Bifold doors | $150–$13,800+ |
Double doors | $750–$5,000 |
The type of door material also affects the total installation cost. The tables below illustrate the cost of installing a door based on the material, which includes the price of the door, materials, and labor.
Door Material | Price Range* |
---|---|
Wood | $200–$5,000 |
Composite wood | $40–$500 |
Steel | $100–$1,000 |
Wrought iron | $1,500–$7,000 |
Fiberglass | $150–$5,000 |
Aluminum | $100–$2,000 |
To keep your door installation project within budget, consider the following tips:
Get multiple quotes: Contact at least three door installation professionals to compare labor rates, which can vary significantly between contractors.
Consider mid-range materials: Balance cost and quality by choosing mid-grade doors—fiberglass and steel offer durability at a lower price point than solid wood.
Reuse hardware when possible: If your existing hinges, doorknobs, and lock sets are in good condition, reusing them can save $50-$400 on your project.
Schedule during off-peak seasons: Many contractors offer discounts during the winter months, when demand for door installation is lower.
Bundle multiple doors: If you need several doors replaced, ask about package pricing—many installers offer per-door discounts when handling multiple installations at once.
If you’re ready to replace or add a door to your home, reach out to a local door installer. Door installation professionals can recommend the right type and material based on your home's other features and install it quickly and accurately. DIY door installation risks an improper fit, leading to issues with air leaks, jammed door hinges, and more.
Hire an experienced door installer to save time, avoid costly mistakes, and get a flawless, secure finish.
No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. We surveyed over 10,000 real customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
To keep costs down, stick with a standard door that fits your existing frame, opt for budget-friendly materials like composite wood, and choose a slab over a pre-hung unit if you’re comfortable with hanging it yourself. Get at least three written quotes to keep labor costs in check. A solid installation matters, too; a door that seals tightly saves on energy bills and spares you future repair costs.
A straightforward door swap takes four hours or less. If the project involves resizing the opening, adding new framing, or installing an exterior door with storm protection and hardware, expect it to stretch into a full day. The timeline encompasses removing the old door, preparing the opening, installing the new slab, fine-tuning the alignment, and sealing against the weather.
Most solid-wood doors can be planed or cut slightly to fit an irregularly sized opening. Hollow-core and metal styles leave less wiggle room, so you’ll only be able to remove a small amount before weakening the structure. When a door needs significant trimming, let a professional handle the job to ensure the cut is square, the edges are sealed, and the door’s integrity remains intact.