Replacing an interior door slab typically costs $150-$800, with many standard jobs landing near $350, including the door and installation. The slab material, existing jamb condition, hardware fit, and local labor rate have the biggest effect on the price.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Door slab | $50 | $180 | $500 | Hollow-core to premium solid wood |
| Installation labor | $100 | $200 | $400 | More for trimming or hardware prep |
| Typical installed replacement | $150 | $350 | $800 | Reuses a serviceable jamb and casing |
| Custom-size or specialty slab | $250 | $550 | $1,000+ | May require ordering and extra fitting |
What a standard interior door slab replacement costs
A basic hollow-core slab for a bedroom or closet often costs $50-$150; a solid-core option commonly costs $150-$350, while solid wood or decorative designs can reach $500 or more. Installed totals generally range from $150-$800 when the existing frame is reusable. Assumptions: standard 80-inch height, common width, ordinary access, and no frame repair.
For a straightforward standard-size job, budgeting about $250-$450 is a practical starting point. The estimate can rise if the slab needs custom sizing, hinge mortises, a bore for a knob, painting, or new hardware.
How slab, hinges, and fitting labor shape the quote
Quotes may list the door separately from labor and small supplies. Ask whether hinge reuse, knob transfer, disposal, and finishing are included; those items can otherwise appear as add-on charges.
| Quote item | Typical price | What changes the charge | Common unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hollow-core slab | $50-$150 | Panel style and finish | Per door |
| Solid-core slab | $150-$350 | Weight, veneer, and design | Per door |
| Fitting and installation | $100-$300 | Trimming and hardware alignment | Per door |
| Hinges, latch, or knob | $10-$100 | Reuse versus replacement | Per set |
| Painting or disposal | $25-$150 | Coats, prep, and haul-away | Per door |
Labor is often the largest variable after the slab itself. A useful estimate check is ; many carpenters charge about $50-$100 per hour, though minimum service fees may apply.
Which door dimensions and core types raise the price
Common interior slabs are about 24-36 inches wide and 80 inches tall. An unusual opening, a nonstandard height, or a slab that must be narrowed by more than a small amount can require extra measuring and cutting. A 30-inch hollow-core door is usually less expensive than a 36-inch solid-core door, which is heavier and can take longer to hang.
Changing from hollow core to solid core can add roughly $100-$250 to the door price alone. Existing hinge locations and knob-bore height also matter: mismatched prep may add $30-$100 for adjustments, while a badly damaged jamb may make slab-only replacement impractical.
Fitting labor for a standard 30-inch bedroom door
A simple replacement using a prefinished, correctly sized slab may take about 1-2 hours. Trimming, transferring hinges, boring the knob hole, and aligning the latch can extend the visit to 2-4 hours. A local labor minimum may make a single door cost more per unit than several doors completed during one appointment.
Confirm that the quote includes fitting and latching, not just hanging the slab. A door that swings but does not close cleanly may need hinge adjustment or edge planing. Repainting, filling old hardware holes, or correcting a warped jamb can add time and expense.
Can a prehung door cost less than slab replacement?
A prehung door includes a slab mounted in a frame and can cost about $150-$500 for the unit, plus $150-$400 for installation. It is not automatically cheaper than a slab replacement, especially when the existing jamb is sound. However, it may be the more reliable choice when the frame is split, badly out of square, or difficult to fit with a replacement slab.
Compare the complete installed price, including casing and wall touch-up. Replacing the frame may add $100-$300 for trim work and finishing, and can require more disruption than reusing the jamb. For a healthy frame, a properly matched slab typically avoids those added tasks.
Three common slab-replacement quotes by scope
A basic closet replacement might use a $70 hollow-core slab, 1.5 hours of labor at $70 per hour, and $20 in supplies, for a total near $195. A bedroom upgrade with a $220 solid-core slab, 2.5 labor hours at $80, and $40 hardware totals about $460.
Custom fitting can push a single-door quote well above a standard replacement. For example, a $400 specialty slab, 3.5 labor hours at $90, and $75 for new hinges and disposal comes to about $790. These examples exclude sales tax and major frame repairs.
Why delivery and disposal can add fees
Some contractors include local pickup and removal in the labor price; others charge $25-$100 for disposal or delivery. Oversized solid-wood doors may cost more to transport, and apartment access, stairs, or a long carry from parking can add labor. A contractor’s minimum charge may also apply even when the installation takes less than two hours.
Ask for separate prices for the slab, labor, delivery, hardware, and haul-away. This makes it easier to compare quotes and spot whether a low installation price excludes necessary fitting or removal.
Where homeowners can trim the slab replacement bill
Keeping a sound jamb, casing, and hinges can avoid replacement work. Choosing a standard-size hollow-core or basic solid-core slab, selecting a stocked finish, and completing several doors in one visit may reduce both material and per-door labor costs. Homeowners can also remove the old door or paint the new slab if the contractor agrees and the work is safe to do.
Control the scope before choosing the lowest bid. Compare at least two written quotes that specify slab type, measurements, hardware work, finishing, and disposal. Avoid paying for a full prehung unit when the frame is serviceable, but do not force a slab-only job if the jamb is damaged or out of square.