Interior door installation: what to know

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

What interior door installation is

Interior door installation hangs a new door in a rough opening or a pre-hung frame, adjusts it for plumb and clearance, sets the hinges and latch, and fits trim for smooth, quiet operation. People call for new bedroom, bath or closet doors, for a remodel that changes the room layout, or for a door that sticks, rubs or will not stay closed.

Signs you need it

  • A door that sticks or rubs on the frame, especially after humidity changes
  • Gaps at the top or sides that let in light, sound or drafts
  • A door that swings open or closes on its own because the frame is out of plumb
  • Damaged, warped or hollow-sounding door panels that no longer look right
  • A room remodel where the door opening must be widened or moved

What the pro does

  • Measure the rough opening for width, height and square, and check the floor for level under the door
  • Set the pre-hung frame or the new door in the opening, shimming it plumb and square at the hinges and the latch side
  • Fasten the frame through the shims and check the reveal, leaving an even gap around the door on all sides
  • Hang the door on the hinges, set the hinge mortises, and fit the latch and strike plate so the door latches smoothly
  • Install the casing and trim around the door, and check that the door swings clear of the floor and the trim

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Every job is different, so we do not publish prices.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.

  • Number of doors and whether they are standard sizes or custom
  • Door type, such as solid core, hollow core, flush or paneled, and its finish
  • Pre-hung frame or slab door in an existing frame, which changes the work needed
  • Condition of the rough opening, including framing repair and wall patching
  • Hardware choices, such as privacy locks, passage latches or pocket door hardware
  • Trim style, and whether the trim must match existing casing
  • Removal and disposal of old doors and frames

What a written quote should spell out

  • Each door listed by room, with its size, type, finish and frame type
  • Hinge type, finish and count, and the latch and lock hardware named
  • Frame or jamb type, and whether the old frame is kept or replaced
  • Trim and casing included, with the profile named and the finish stated
  • Framing or wall patch listed as its own line, with photos of the opening
  • Removal and disposal of the old door, and cleanup of dust and debris

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Is the door a standard size, or will you need to order a custom one?
  • Will you use a pre-hung frame, or hang the door in the existing frame?
  • How do you check the door for plumb and the reveal, so it closes evenly?
  • What hardware do you install, and is the finish matched to the other rooms?
  • Will you match the trim and casing to the existing house, and can you show a sample?
  • What happens if the opening is out of square once the old door is removed?
  • What warranty covers the door and the install?

Red flags

  • A door forced into an out-of-square opening that will rub or bind later
  • Hinges set without proper mortises, leaving the door sitting proud and rubbing
  • Trim nailed over a gap that is not patched or caulked
  • A door hung with no check of clearance over the floor or carpet
  • A quote with no line for the frame, casing or hardware

What you can do yourself

You can safely replace a passage latch, a hinge or a door stop, adjust a rubbing door by tightening the hinge screws, and sand a sticking edge lightly. Hanging a new door in a rough opening involves shimming, framing and mortising, which affect how the door closes for years. Call a pro for a new door, a new frame, or any opening that is out of square or needs framing work.

Licenses and permits

Interior door installation is commonly done by carpenters, general contractors or home improvement businesses, and it does not usually need a special license for an interior door. Check with your state and local licensing agency, and check the local building office if the work changes a wall or framing.

Interior door installation questions

Can I replace a door without changing the frame?

Often yes, if the frame is sound, square and sized for the door. A pro should check the frame, the jamb and the reveal before deciding.

Why does my door bind at the top?

Usually the frame has moved, the hinges have loosened, or the door has swelled with humidity. A pro should check the frame and the shimming before planing the door.

Should I choose a solid core or a hollow core door?

Solid core doors are heavier, quieter and feel more solid. Hollow core doors are lighter and easier to handle. The room and the sound you want should guide the choice.

Can a pocket door be added to an existing wall?

Sometimes, but the wall needs room for the pocket and framing that can support it. A pro should check the wall for wiring and plumbing before cutting.

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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