Pet door installation: a guide for pros

What customers ask, how to win the job, and what to put on your profile.

Offering pet door installation

Pet door installation is a measure, cut and seal job where the animal's size, the material and any hidden wiring decide whether the door works and stays safe. Your win is choosing the right size, checking the wall before cutting, and sealing the opening so the house stays comfortable.

What customers ask

  • Will my dog fit through the flap?
  • Can you install it in my glass door?
  • Will it let in drafts or bugs?
  • Can I lock it at night?
  • Will you cut through my insulated wall?
  • Do you install the microchip version?

How to win the job

  • On the first call, ask for the animal's height, weight and build, the door or wall type, and whether the pet door should lock, so you bring the right flap.
  • Bring a sample flap and a seal to the visit, and show the homeowner how the flap swings and how the seal sits on the frame.
  • Check the door or wall for wiring, pipes and framing from both sides on the site visit, and photograph the cut area before you start.
  • Put the flap size, style, lock type, frame or tunnel, sealant and any insulation work in the quote as separate lines.
  • Explain the lock options in plain words, and show the homeowner how to open the lock from inside.
  • Seal the edges and test the swing with the homeowner present, and check that the flap suits the animal's size.
  • Send a closeout packet with the flap size and model, the lock setup and the warranty terms.

What to put on your profile

  • Photos of finished pet door installs that show the flap, the frame and the seal around the edges
  • Pet door types you install, such as flaps, tunnels, glass inserts and electronic locks
  • Door, wall and glass types you cut, and the tools you use for each
  • Service area and whether you install pet doors in glass or insulated walls

Follow-up that helps the customer

  • Offer a seal and flap check after the first season, since the flap and the seal wear with use.
  • Suggest a lock or microchip upgrade if the homeowner wants more control over access.
  • Recommend a door or window weather check if the pet door sits near a draft or leak.

Licenses and permits

Pet door installation is commonly done by general home improvement businesses, door contractors or glass companies, and rules vary by place. Check your state and local licensing requirements, and the local building office before you cut glass or an exterior wall.

Questions

Do I need a permit to cut a pet door in an exterior wall?

Sometimes. Many places do not ask for a permit for a door-mounted flap, but cutting through an exterior wall can change the structure and the building envelope. Check with the local building office before you cut, and put the permit responsibility in the contract.

How do I handle wiring found behind the cut?

Stop, do not cut further, and photograph the wiring. Move the cut to a safe spot, or bring in a licensed electrician to reroute the wiring before the cut continues.

Can the flap be too big for the animal?

Yes. A flap that is too big lets in drafts and bugs and can let other animals in. Choose the size for the animal and tell the homeowner why.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

Edit history

More windows and doors guides for pros

Start here

About this guide

Get pet door installation requests

Customers pick you by name. Signup is free, and you pay only for leads you accept.

Join as a pro
Sign up free