Door installation: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What door installation is

Door installation fits a new interior or exterior door into an existing frame or opening. The work includes leveling and shimming the slab and frame, hanging the hinges, setting the lock and strike, and sealing the door against weather where needed. People book it when they replace a worn door, add a new opening, or upgrade to a more secure exterior door.

Signs you need it

  • The old door is warped, cracked or rotted and cannot be repaired economically
  • The frame is out of square and the new door will not close or latch without work
  • The exterior door lets in drafts, water or light around its edges
  • A new lock or deadbolt needs a door prepared to take it
  • A new opening has been framed and needs a door hung in it
  • The old door is a different size or thickness than the replacement you bought

What the pro does

  • Measure the rough opening and the door, and check the frame for square, plumb and level
  • Set the door in the opening and shim it so the reveals are even all the way round
  • Hang the hinges, and drill or chisel the mortises and the lock and strike positions
  • Install the lockset, the deadbolt and the strike plate, and check that the latch closes cleanly
  • Seal the frame, add weatherstripping and a threshold on an exterior door, and caulk the trim
  • Test the door through a full open and close, and check the lock and the weather seal

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Interior versus exterior door, since exterior doors need weather sealing and a more substantial frame
  • Pre-hung versus slab-only installation, which changes the work needed
  • Frame condition, including rot, a racked frame or a new opening
  • Door material, such as solid wood, fiberglass or steel
  • Hardware and security features, such as a deadbolt or a multi-point lock
  • Trim, casing and paint or stain needed to finish the install

What a written quote should spell out

  • Door type, size, material and whether it is pre-hung or slab only
  • Hardware included, such as hinges, lockset, deadbolt and strike
  • Frame repair, shimming and any new framing needed
  • Weatherstripping, threshold and caulking, where the door is exterior
  • Warranty on the installation, separate from the door warranty

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Will you check the rough opening and the frame before you order the door?
  • Does the door come pre-hung, and what happens if the frame does not fit?
  • Will the reveals be even all the way round, and how do you check it?
  • Do you seal the exterior door against water and drafts, and with what?
  • Will you install the deadbolt and test the latch under load?
  • Who repairs any damage to the frame or the trim?
  • Does your warranty cover the install if the door sticks or sags later?

Red flags

  • A door hung in a frame that is out of square without correcting the frame
  • Shims left visible or not screwed into the framing
  • An exterior door installed without weatherstripping or a threshold seal
  • Hinge screws that only bite into the jamb and do not reach the framing behind it
  • A quote that does not name the hardware or the sealing method

What you can do yourself

You can measure the opening, order the door, and clear the old door and trim with care. Read the door's instructions first. Do not cut into the framing or the structure around the opening; call a pro for frame repair, exterior sealing, or any door that must be leveled and set square in a rough opening.

Licenses and permits

Door installation is often not licensed as a trade, but some areas require a contractor registration for paid work, and changes to structural framing or exterior openings can need a permit. Check with your state or local licensing agency and building department before the work begins.

Door installation questions

Do I need a pre-hung door or a slab only?

A pre-hung door comes with its frame and often suits a replacement where the old frame is in poor shape. A slab only is for an existing frame that is square and in good shape. Ask the pro which one fits your opening.

Why does my new door stick?

A new door that sticks often has a frame that is out of square, a door that has swelled from humidity or hinges that are not set correctly. A pro checks the frame and the hinge set before adjusting the door.

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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.

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