A door install is one of the most common small home improvement projects, and the cost range is wide enough that homeowners often get quotes that look like they cannot possibly be for the same job. The right answer depends on whether the work is a slab swap, a prehung replacement, or a full rough-opening renovation, plus the type of door and the labor market in your area. This guide breaks down what door installation actually costs.

How much does it cost to install a door? Installed door costs typically run 300 to 1,800 dollars per door for interior doors and 600 to 4,500 dollars per door for exterior doors. Material accounts for most of the spread (basic hollow-core interior doors cost 75 to 200 dollars; premium exterior doors run 1,500 to 4,000 dollars). Labor typically adds 150 to 500 dollars per door.

If pricing the project is the first step and figuring out which trim, threshold, and jamb work is in or out of scope is the second, a craftsman who handles door installation and repair takes on the install plus the finish carpentry around it.

Door Installation Cost Breakdown by Type

Interior Doors

  • Hollow-core slab swap (replace door only, existing hinges and frame): 100 to 250 dollars in labor, 75 to 200 dollars for door
  • Solid-core slab swap: 100 to 250 dollars in labor, 150 to 400 dollars for door
  • Prehung interior door (door, frame, and trim): 200 to 400 dollars in labor, 150 to 600 dollars for door
  • Pocket door: 600 to 1,500 dollars all-in (more if framing work required)
  • Sliding barn door: 250 to 800 dollars all-in (hardware visible on wall)
  • French doors (interior): 800 to 2,500 dollars all-in

Exterior Doors

  • Steel entry door (prehung): 600 to 1,800 dollars all-in
  • Fiberglass entry door (prehung): 900 to 2,800 dollars all-in
  • Wood entry door (prehung): 1,200 to 4,500 dollars all-in
  • Sliding patio door: 1,000 to 3,500 dollars all-in
  • French patio doors: 1,500 to 5,500 dollars all-in
  • Storm door (added to existing entry): 250 to 700 dollars all-in

What Drives Door Installation Cost

Door Type and Material

Material is the single biggest cost driver. Hollow-core interior doors cost less than 100 dollars; solid wood entry doors can cost over 3,000 dollars on their own. The labor to install both is similar.

Slab Replacement vs Prehung Install

A slab replacement reuses the existing frame, hinges, and trim. The new door is mortised for the hinges and lockset, then hung in place. Labor runs 100 to 250 dollars per door.

A prehung install includes a new door already hung in a new frame with hinges installed. The entire unit goes into the rough opening as a single piece. Labor runs 200 to 500 dollars per door for a clean prehung swap.

Rough Opening Work

If the door size is changing, the wall framing is damaged, or the original opening has settled out of square, additional carpentry is required. Rough opening adjustments add 200 to 800 dollars, occasionally more if structural work is needed.

Trim and Casing

New trim and casing around the door adds material cost (40 to 200 dollars per door in trim material) and labor (50 to 150 dollars per door for installation). Custom or stain-grade trim runs higher than standard paint-grade.

Hardware

Locksets, deadbolts, and smart locks are typically priced separately:

  • Basic passage knob or lever: 15 to 50 dollars
  • Mid-range keyed entry: 40 to 150 dollars
  • Smart deadbolt: 150 to 400 dollars
  • Premium handle set: 200 to 600 dollars

Professional Installation vs DIY Considerations

Door installation lies on a spectrum from approachable DIY (interior slab swap) to challenging professional work (exterior prehung replacement with rough opening adjustment).

Best DIY candidates:

  • Interior slab swap with existing hinges and hardware
  • Closet door replacement
  • Pre-finished interior prehung in an existing opening
  • Storm door over existing entry door

Best professional candidates:

  • Exterior entry door (security and weatherproofing critical)
  • Sliding patio door (weight, weatherstrip alignment, header work)
  • Pocket door installation (framing changes required)
  • Any door where the rough opening has shifted or the original install is out of square

The high-risk DIY steps are plumb and square installation, proper flashing on exterior doors, and weatherstrip alignment. A poorly installed exterior door creates ongoing energy loss and water infiltration. A doors and windows specialist handles the install with proper flashing, sealing, and finish.

Installation Timeline and Project Preparation

Most door installations are same-day work. Timelines by type:

  • Interior slab swap: 30 to 60 minutes per door
  • Interior prehung swap: 1 to 2 hours per door
  • Exterior prehung swap: 2 to 4 hours per door
  • Sliding patio door: 3 to 6 hours
  • Door with rough opening modifications: 4 to 8 hours
  • Pocket door (full install with framing): 1 to 2 days

Pre-installation preparation that homeowners can handle:

  • Measure the existing door opening (width, height, frame depth)
  • Confirm hinge handing (left-hand or right-hand swing)
  • Decide on hardware before install day
  • Clear the work area on both sides of the door

Door Hardware: Choosing the Right Lockset and Smart Locks

Door hardware is its own decision and often a separate purchase from the door itself. The wrong hardware can undermine an otherwise great install: a budget lockset on a premium fiberglass entry door is the most common example.

Standard Locksets and Deadbolts

For interior doors, simple passage knobs or levers (15 to 50 dollars) work for most rooms. Privacy locks (with thumb-turn lock on the inside) are needed for bedrooms and bathrooms; budget 25 to 80 dollars. Keyed entry locksets for interior doors are unusual but exist for home offices and storage spaces.

For exterior doors, the standard is a keyed entry knob or lever paired with a single-cylinder deadbolt. Quality kits run 80 to 250 dollars. Heavy-duty Grade 1 locksets (rated for commercial use but installable residentially) run 200 to 500 dollars and offer significantly better security than residential Grade 2 or Grade 3 hardware.

Smart Locks and Electronic Deadbolts

Smart locks have moved from niche to mainstream over the past five years. Most homeowners installing a new exterior door consider one. Common categories:

  • Keypad-only smart deadbolts (no Wi-Fi): 80 to 200 dollars. Keyless entry via code, no remote access.
  • Wi-Fi connected deadbolts: 200 to 350 dollars. Lock and unlock from a phone app, integrate with Alexa, Google Home, or Apple HomeKit.
  • Premium connected systems (August, Schlage Encode, Yale Assure): 250 to 400 dollars. Auto-lock features, guest codes, activity logs, integration with home security and smart doorbells.
  • Full smart entry systems (with camera): 400 to 800 dollars. Lock, camera, two-way audio, motion alerts in one unit.

Smart locks install on most standard deadbolt prep (1-3/8 to 1-3/4 inch door thickness, 2-1/8 inch bore hole). Older doors or non-standard prep may need adjustment. Allow 30 to 60 minutes for install and another 30 minutes for app setup and pairing with the home network.

Matching Door Style to Home Era and Architecture

Door style matters more than most homeowners realize. The right door pulls the home together; the wrong door looks like a mistake every time you arrive home.

  • Traditional and colonial homes: Six-panel raised wood doors, fan-light or sidelight glass, brass or oil-rubbed bronze hardware.
  • Craftsman and bungalow homes: Solid wood doors with three-quarter craftsman lite windows, divided glass, brass hardware.
  • Mid-century modern: Flush slab doors or three-panel horizontal designs, often in painted finish, satin nickel or matte black hardware.
  • Contemporary and modern: Full-glass or large-pane doors, minimalist hardware in matte black or stainless.
  • Farmhouse and cottage: Plank-style wood doors with strap hinges, often Dutch doors at side entries.
  • Spanish or Mediterranean: Heavy wood plank doors with iron grille work, hand-forged hardware.

Replacement projects are a chance to upgrade if the original door was the builder-grade default. The cost difference between a basic six-panel and a style-appropriate door is often 200 to 800 dollars, which is small relative to the visual impact.

Exterior Door Weatherproofing Details

An exterior door install that skips proper weatherproofing creates ongoing problems: drafts, energy loss, water infiltration at the threshold, and accelerated deterioration of the door and frame. Key weatherproofing details that should be part of every exterior install:

  • Sill pan or flashing. A flexible flashing or rigid sill pan under the threshold catches any water that gets past the door. Critical on doors at grade or with limited overhang.
  • Threshold seal. The threshold must seat flush against the door's bottom sweep. Adjustable thresholds compensate for floor settling.
  • Weatherstrip on all four sides. Foam, kerf-mounted bulb seal, or magnetic seal depending on door type. Replace every 5 to 10 years even with no install work.
  • Door sweep at bottom. Brush, bulb, or wiper-style sweep seals the gap between door and threshold.
  • Caulking at jamb-to-siding transitions. Quality exterior caulk on all exposed seams; touch up every 3 to 5 years.
  • Flashing tape at the head. Self-adhesive flashing tape over the head trim seals against rainfall running down the wall.

A correctly weatherproofed exterior door blocks drafts even in 30 mph wind and stays dry in heavy rain. A poorly weatherproofed door becomes a recurring repair line item for the life of the home.

When to Repair Versus Replace a Door

Not every problem with a door requires replacement. Repair is the right call when:

  • The door slab is sound but hinges have worn (new hinges, 100 to 250 dollars installed)
  • The frame has settled but is structurally fine (shimming and screw adjustment)
  • The door sticks or drags from minor warp (planing and rehang, 100 to 300 dollars)
  • Weatherstripping is damaged but the door and frame are good (50 to 200 dollars)
  • Hardware has failed but the door is fine (lockset replacement, 50 to 250 dollars)
  • Glass insert is cracked but the door body is intact (insert replacement, 200 to 800 dollars)

Replacement makes more sense when:

  • The door slab is warped, water-damaged, or rotted
  • The frame has separated from the wall framing
  • The door is hollow-core and the latch hardware has torn out
  • Energy loss is significant (old uninsulated wood or single-pane patio doors)
  • Security hardware is outdated (no deadbolt, weak lockset, broken strike plate)
  • Multiple repair quotes already approach 50 percent of replacement cost
  • The door style is wrong for the home and you want to upgrade

Hidden Costs to Plan For

  • Old door and frame removal: 50 to 200 dollars per door
  • Rough opening adjustments: 200 to 800 dollars
  • New trim and casing: 50 to 200 dollars per door
  • Drywall repair around opening: 100 to 400 dollars
  • Paint or stain on new door: 75 to 300 dollars per door if not factory-finished
  • Threshold replacement on exterior doors: 75 to 250 dollars
  • Hardware install (lockset, deadbolt): 50 to 150 dollars per door
  • Smart lock installation and setup: 100 to 300 dollars per lock
  • Disposal fees: 25 to 100 dollars per door

What to Consider Before You Hire

  • Measure accurately. Width, height, and frame depth all matter for sizing the replacement.
  • Decide slab vs prehung. Slab is cheaper but only works if the existing frame is sound and square.
  • Match style to home. Modern flush doors do not always work in traditional homes.
  • Plan hardware upgrades. Smart locks, electronic deadbolts, and handle sets are easier to install during the door swap.
  • Confirm warranties. Manufacturer warranties on materials run 5 to 25 years; labor warranties from installers run 1 to 5 years.

Why Homeowners Bring in Ace Handyman Services

Door installation is a craftsman trade. Even the simplest slab swap benefits from someone who has hung dozens of doors and knows how to handle the small surprises (out-of-square frames, slightly off hinge positions, mismatched trim heights). Ace Handyman Services brings that experience to every door.

  • Peace of mind. Plumb, square, and weather-sealed installation prevents the ongoing problems that poorly installed doors create.
  • One-year labor warranty. Every project we complete is backed by our one-year labor guarantee.
  • Prep, install, and finish in one visit. Old door removal, rough opening adjustment, new door install, trim work, hardware install, and weatherstrip alignment.
  • Background-checked, multi-skilled craftsmen. Our team is W-2 employed, background-checked, insured, and trained across carpentry, finish work, and weatherproofing.
  • Predictable timeline. Single doors typically install in half a day. Multiple doors run as a project with a clear start and finish.
  • Right-sized scope. If your existing door only needs a hinge adjustment or weatherstrip replacement, we will tell you before pricing a full replacement.
  • Cleanup included. Old doors, frames, packaging, fasteners, and trim debris leave with us.

Whether you are replacing one interior door or planning a full house of door upgrades, reach out to your local Ace Handyman Services office to scope the right approach.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average labor cost to install a door?

Labor to install a door typically runs 100 to 500 dollars per door. Interior slab swaps land at 100 to 250 dollars. Interior prehung installs run 200 to 400 dollars. Exterior prehung installs are 300 to 600 dollars. Rough opening adjustments, threshold work, and trim installation add to the base labor figure.

How much should I pay someone to hang a door?

For a standard interior prehung door swap in an existing opening, expect 200 to 400 dollars in labor. Exterior doors run 300 to 600 dollars in labor. Custom doors, rough opening changes, or matching difficult trim profiles can push labor over 800 dollars. Always get an itemized quote separating labor from materials.

How much does labor cost to install a prehung door?

Prehung door installation labor typically runs 200 to 500 dollars per door for standard interior installs and 300 to 600 dollars for exterior installs. The price reflects the time to remove the old door and frame, set the new unit plumb and square, install shims, secure the casing, and connect any hardware.

What does it cost to install a door at a home improvement store?

Big-name retailers typically charge 150 to 450 dollars for door installation labor on top of the door cost itself. Standard interior prehung installs run 250 to 400 dollars in labor. Exterior installs are 350 to 600 dollars. Promotional pricing on materials sometimes bundles installation at reduced rates.

How long does it take to install a door?

A standard interior slab swap takes 30 to 60 minutes. Interior prehung installs run 1 to 2 hours. Exterior prehung doors take 2 to 4 hours including weatherstrip alignment and threshold sealing. Doors that require rough opening modifications, drywall repair, or trim matching can extend to 4 to 8 hours.

Should I replace just the door or the entire prehung unit?

Replace just the slab if the existing frame is square, plumb, and in good condition. This is the most affordable option and reuses serviceable hardware. Replace the entire prehung unit when the frame has settled, the hinge mortises are worn out, the threshold has rotted on exterior doors, or you are changing door size. Prehung replacement gives you a fresh starting point on all sides of the opening.