Installing an exterior door in a brick wall typically costs $2,500-$8,000, with many standard projects landing near $4,500. The price depends on whether the wall is load-bearing, how much brick and framing must be removed, the lintel or header needed, door quality, and local labor rates.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Complete door installation | $2,500 | $4,500 | $8,000 | New opening in an existing brick exterior wall |
| Exterior door unit | $400 | $1,200 | $3,500 | Steel, fiberglass, or premium wood; hardware can add cost |
| Brick cutting and removal | $500 | $1,200 | $2,500 | Often priced by opening size and masonry thickness |
| Structural lintel or header | $300 | $900 | $2,000 | Engineering or extensive support can raise the charge |
| Permits and inspection | $0 | $250 | $800 | Varies by city and structural scope |
What a New Door Opening in Brick Usually Costs
A straightforward installation in an accessible, single-story wall commonly costs $2,500-$5,000, including a basic door, masonry cutting, framing, setting, and weatherproofing. A complex project with a large opening, structural reinforcement, premium door, interior trim work, or difficult access can reach $5,000-$8,000 or more.
These estimates assume a typical 36-by-80-inch exterior door, standard insulated unit, normal ground-level access, and no major electrical or plumbing relocation. The average price is around $4,500, but a quote should specify whether it includes the door, interior and exterior finishing, disposal, permit fees, and taxes.
For budgeting, allow about $3,500-$5,500 for a typical new doorway through brick, rather than pricing it like a simple door swap. Installing a door in an existing framed opening is usually much cheaper because it avoids cutting masonry and adding structural support.
Per-square-foot pricing is less reliable than a project quote because the opening must be cut and supported as a single structural job. As a rough comparison, masonry cutting and removal can run $15-$40 per square foot of affected wall, while the full installation often works out to roughly $1,000-$2,200 per linear foot of door opening, including related work.
Assumptions: Typical U.S. labor rates, standard insulated steel or fiberglass door, one-story access, and no hidden structural damage.
How Brick Cutting, Lintels, and Door Materials Shape the Quote
Quotes usually combine several trades and materials. The contractor may need to protect the work area, shore the wall, saw through brick, remove masonry, frame the rough opening, install a lintel, set the door, and seal the perimeter. Ask for each major task as a separate line item to make bids easier to compare.
| Quote component | Typical price | What changes the charge | Common unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Masonry saw cutting and removal | $500-$2,500 | Wall thickness, access, dust control, and disposal distance | $15-$40 per sq ft of cut area |
| Lintel or steel angle | $300-$2,000 | Span, load, bearing points, and engineer requirements | $20-$80 per linear ft for material and installation |
| Door and hardware | $400-$3,500 | Steel versus fiberglass or wood, glass, finish, and lockset | $400-$3,500 per unit |
| Carpentry and door setting | $700-$1,800 | Rough opening, shimming, framing, and trim scope | $75-$125 per labor hour |
| Flashing, insulation, and finish | $250-$1,000 | Brick-mold, interior casing, threshold, and siding transitions | $250-$1,000 per opening |
Equipment charges may be folded into labor or listed separately. A masonry saw, dust-control setup, temporary wall supports, and debris hauling can add $150-$600 when not included. Rebuilding the brick edges or matching an existing veneer can add $300-$1,500, especially if the original brick is difficult to source.
The lintel and proper flashing matter as much as the door price: a low bid that omits either can leave the opening vulnerable to cracking or water entry. Confirm that the quote addresses the structural load above the opening and the path for water to drain away from the door.
Labor is often the largest variable. A rough estimating formula is Typical combined masonry and carpentry labor may total 12-24 hours at $75-$125 per hour, though a crew can work concurrently. The contractor should clarify whether the labor figure includes setup, cleanup, and finishing.
Opening Width, Wall Load, and Brick Type Change the Price
The standard 36-inch door is often the least complicated option, but enlarging the opening can change both the masonry and structural scope. A 32- to 36-inch opening may fit within a common doorway plan; widening beyond 42 inches or creating a double-door opening can require a longer lintel, more temporary support, and additional engineering.
Wall construction is another key threshold. A single-brick veneer over wood framing is generally easier to cut than a solid masonry wall or a two-wythe wall thicker than about 8 inches. Cutting through solid masonry can add $500-$1,500 compared with a veneer-only job, depending on depth, reinforcement, and debris handling.
Load-bearing walls require a lintel or header sized for the weight above the opening. If the opening spans more than 4 feet, supports a second story, or sits beneath a concentrated roof load, a structural engineer may be required. Engineering commonly costs $300-$1,000; a larger steel lintel and installation may add another $700-$2,000.
Site conditions can also shift the estimate. Scaffolding or work above the first floor may add $300-$1,000; narrow access for saws and debris can raise labor by 10%-25%. Hidden wiring, pipes, damaged framing, or an unstable wall can add $200-$1,500 or more after the work begins.
Before accepting a price, verify the opening dimensions, wall type, support plan, and whether the contractor has allowed for brick repair and water management. Photos alone may not reveal wall depth or load conditions, so an on-site inspection is valuable.
Why Brick Wall Door Labor Takes Longer Than a Door Swap
A new opening commonly takes one to three working days, with a masonry crew and a carpenter sometimes working in sequence. Cutting and removal may take 4-8 hours; framing and lintel work another 4-8 hours; and door installation, insulation, flashing, and trim can take 4-8 hours. Curing mortar or waiting for inspections can extend the calendar time.
Labor rates vary by trade and market. Masonry contractors may charge $75-$140 per hour, while carpenters often charge $65-$120 per hour; some companies quote by the project instead. A two-person crew can cost $150-$250 per hour combined, but hourly rates should not be compared without checking crew size, equipment, insurance, and included cleanup.
A one-day installation is possible for a simple veneer wall, but a structural opening with finish repairs should not be priced on that assumption. Ask whether the installer will leave the opening secure and weather-tight at the end of each workday, particularly if the door unit is not installed immediately.
How City and Rural Quotes Differ for Masonry Door Work
Prices in high-cost metro areas, including parts of the Northeast, West Coast, and large coastal cities, may run 15%-30% above a national midrange estimate. Higher wages, parking restrictions, permit requirements, and disposal fees can all contribute. A $4,500 project in a moderate-cost market might be quoted at $5,200-$5,900 in an expensive city.
Suburban work often tracks near the national range when access is straightforward. Rural quotes can be 5%-15% lower for labor, but a long drive for a masonry crew, equipment delivery, or disposal may erase the difference. Some contractors apply a $100-$400 travel or mobilization charge when the site is outside their normal service area.
Regional comparisons are useful only when the scope matches. Compare the same door size, wall construction, lintel, finish work, permit allowance, and disposal terms rather than comparing bottom-line totals from different specifications.
Local code can affect the final figure as well. Permits for a new exterior opening may cost $100-$500, and some jurisdictions require a structural drawing or inspection. Fees can reach $800 when plan review, engineering documentation, and multiple inspections are involved. Ask the building department whether the opening alteration requires a permit before scheduling.
Three Realistic Estimates for Different Brick Door Projects
A basic first-floor opening through brick veneer may cost $2,900-$4,000. For example, a $700 steel door, 10 labor hours at a blended $95 per hour, $800 for cutting and removal, $450 for a small lintel, and $300 for flashing and trim totals about $3,200 before any local permit fee.
A typical 36-by-80-inch fiberglass door in a load-bearing brick veneer wall may cost $4,000-$5,800. One sample quote could include a $1,400 door, 16 labor hours at $105 per hour ($1,680), $1,000 for masonry cutting and disposal, a $700 lintel, $450 for weatherproofing and trim, and $250 for permits, totaling about $5,480.
A wide or difficult opening in a solid masonry wall can reach $6,500-$9,500. A 48-inch opening, engineered steel support, premium door, scaffold access, extensive brick repair, and interior finishing might include $2,500 for the door, $2,500-$3,500 for cutting and structural work, $1,500-$2,000 for labor, and $700-$1,500 for finishing, permits, and equipment.
These examples are planning ranges, not fixed bids; the wall inspection and written scope determine the actual price. Request at least two or three itemized estimates, and check that each includes the same door specifications, structural work, finish details, and disposal.
Which Door Choices and Upgrades Add the Most
A basic insulated steel unit generally costs $400-$900, while midrange fiberglass doors commonly cost $800-$2,000. Premium fiberglass, wood, decorative glass, or custom-sized units can cost $2,000-$3,500 or more. A reinforced frame, multipoint lock, upgraded glass, or special finish may add $100-$800.
Door size and configuration matter. A standard single door is usually less expensive than a 42-inch unit, a door with large glass panels, or a pair of French doors. Double doors can add $800-$2,500 for the units and may raise cutting, lintel, and finishing costs by $500-$2,000 because of the wider opening.
Repairing or adapting an existing doorway may cost $500-$2,000 if the structure is sound, compared with several thousand dollars for cutting a new opening. However, a replacement door does not solve a damaged lintel, rotting frame, or water intrusion. A contractor should identify whether the current opening is usable before recommending a full rebuild.
Choose the door after confirming the rough opening and structural plan; a custom unit ordered too early can create expensive resizing work. Compare energy ratings, warranty coverage, frame material, and hardware as well as the sticker price.
How to Keep the Brick Opening Installation Within Budget
Keep the opening close to a standard 32-, 34-, or 36-inch door size when the layout allows. Avoid widening the doorway solely for appearance unless the added clearance is worth the extra lintel, cutting, and finish work. Standard sizes are more readily available and can reduce the risk of custom manufacturing charges.
Choose a practical door tier and limit optional glass, decorative trim, and specialty hardware. A reliable insulated steel or fiberglass unit can meet many needs without the $1,000-$2,000 premium for a high-end model. Confirm that the unit’s frame depth and threshold suit the wall and exterior landing.
Make the work area accessible before the crew arrives. Move furniture, clear a path for equipment, and arrange parking or debris access where possible. Ask whether the owner can handle simple interior painting or trim finishing, but do not take on structural support, masonry cutting, flashing, or exterior sealing without the needed skills and tools.
Compare itemized bids by scope, not by the lowest total. A complete quote should identify who supplies the door, how the wall is supported, what happens to removed brick, whether brick repair is included, and who obtains permits. Bundling door installation with nearby masonry or exterior work may reduce mobilization charges, but only if schedules and responsibilities are clearly stated.
Get approval for extra work before it begins. Ask the contractor to describe likely hidden conditions and provide unit rates for additional brick removal, framing repair, or lintel upgrades. A contingency of 10%-15% is reasonable for concealed conditions in older walls, but it should not substitute for a careful inspection and a clearly written contract.