Pet door installation: what to know

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

What pet door installation is

Pet door installation cuts an opening in a door, wall or glass and fits a pet flap or insert, sealing the edges against weather and choosing a size and style that suits the animal. People call when a pet needs a way in and out, when an old flap is broken or lets in drafts, or when a home needs a pet opening added.

Signs you need it

  • A pet that waits at a door to be let out, or that scratches at a door or wall
  • A broken, torn or stuck flap that no longer swings or seals
  • A pet door that lets in drafts, bugs or water along the edges
  • A flap that is too small or too large for the animal's size and weight
  • A home with no pet opening, where the household wants one added to a door or wall

What the pro does

  • Measure the animal and choose a flap size and style for its height, weight and movement
  • Check the door, wall or glass for wiring, pipes, framing or glass that must be avoided before cutting
  • Cut the opening with the tool that suits the material, leaving clean edges at the size the frame needs
  • Install the frame or tunnel, fastening it through the door or wall with the fasteners and sealant suited to the material
  • Fit the flap, check the swing and the magnet or lock, and seal the edges against the weather

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Every job is different, so we do not publish prices.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

  • Type of pet door, such as a flap, a tunnel dog door, or a locking or microchip door
  • Material being cut, such as wood, hollow core, solid core, metal or glass
  • Wall type, including insulated walls or masonry that need specific tools
  • Glass or patio door insert, which uses a different kit and sealing
  • Whether a tunnel or frame must go through a wall
  • Electronic or smart locks and the power or batteries they need
  • Seal, weather and insulation work needed around the opening

What a written quote should spell out

  • Door, wall or glass type named, with the opening location and size
  • Pet door size, style and material, and the flap type
  • Lock type, such as manual, magnetic or microchip, and its setup
  • Frame, tunnel or insert type, and the fastening and sealant used
  • Insulation or weather seal around the opening
  • Cleanup and removal of the cut material

Questions to ask before you hire

  • How did you choose the size for my pet, and will the flap fit the animal's height and weight?
  • What tool do you use to cut my door or glass, and how do you avoid cracks?
  • Will you check for wires or pipes behind the wall before you cut?
  • What lock options do you offer, and can the flap be locked at night?
  • How do you seal the edges so the pet door does not let in drafts?
  • What warranty covers the flap, the frame and the install?
  • Can you show me a finished door with a similar pet door?

Red flags

  • A cut made into a wall or door without checking for wires, pipes or framing behind it
  • A glass cut by someone with no glass training, leaving a crack or chip in the pane
  • A flap that is too small for the animal, or too large to seal
  • No sealant or insulation at the edges of an exterior opening
  • A lock nobody can open quickly from inside the house, so a pet can be stuck out or in during an emergency

What you can do yourself

You can safely choose a flap size, measure the animal, and check the door or wall for wiring and pipes with a stud finder, then install a simple flap in a solid interior door that is not glass or structural. Do not cut into exterior walls, glass or masonry, and do not cut near wiring or pipes without checking first. Call a pro for glass, exterior walls, masonry or any opening in a load-bearing or insulated wall.

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 with your state and local licensing agency, and the local building office before cutting glass or an exterior wall.

Pet door installation questions

How do I choose the right size pet door?

Measure the animal's height at the shoulder and its width at the chest, then choose a flap a little taller and wider than that. A pro can help you pick the right flap for the animal's build.

Can a pet door go in a glass door?

Yes, with a glass pet door kit made for the thickness and type of glass. Glass cutting and sealing should be done by a pro with the right tools.

Will a pet door let in drafts?

It can, if the flap is too large or the edges are not sealed. Use a flap with magnetic or insulated seals, and ask the installer to seal the frame to the door or wall.

Can I set the flap to lock at night?

Yes, most pet doors offer a lock. Choose one you can open easily from inside the house, and plan for the pet's access at night, since a locked flap can leave an animal stuck outside or inside.

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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