A solid wood front door typically costs $1,200-$5,500 installed, with a common midrange project near $2,800. The final price depends on door size, wood species, glass or custom details, removal needs, and local labor rates.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Door slab only | $500 | $1,600 | $4,500 | Standard to custom solid hardwood |
| Prehung door unit | $900 | $2,300 | $6,000 | Includes jamb and door; hardware may cost extra |
| Professional installation | $400 | $900 | $1,800 | More if framing or trim needs repair |
| Typical installed project | $1,200 | $2,800 | $7,000 | Standard entry, removal, fitting, and basic finishing |
Assumptions: Standard 36-by-80-inch entry door, ordinary access, midrange U.S. labor rates, and no major structural repair.
What a 36-by-80-inch solid wood door usually costs
A basic solid wood slab costs about $500-$1,200 before installation. Common species such as pine and fir tend to fall near the lower end; oak, mahogany, and other hardwoods cost more. A prehung unit, which includes the frame and hinges, commonly runs $900-$3,000 for standard configurations.
For a typical replacement with removal and installation, budgeting $1,800-$4,000 covers many standard-quality projects. The average rises to $4,000-$7,000 or more for custom dimensions, premium hardwood, decorative glass, carved panels, or substantial finish work. A high-end custom door can exceed that range before installation.
Prices vary by region and supplier, and a quoted door price may not include stain, paint, locks, delivery, disposal, or sales tax. Confirm whether the estimate covers the slab alone or a complete prehung assembly. A slab replacement can be less expensive when the existing jamb is sound and the new door matches its dimensions and hinge layout.
How wood, labor, and trim shape the installation quote
Quotes often combine the door, hardware, labor, and finishing into one project total. The table shows common U.S. ranges for a standard replacement; custom work and high-cost metropolitan areas can exceed them.
| Quote item | Typical price | Pricing basis | What it covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solid wood slab or unit | $500-$3,000 | $500-$4,500 per door | Species, panels, thickness, and construction |
| Installation labor | $400-$1,200 | $75-$125 per hour | Fit, shim, level, fasten, and adjust |
| Hardware and lockset | $100-$600 | $50-$300 per set | Hinges, handleset, deadbolt, and strike |
| Finish and weather sealing | $150-$700 | $2-$8 per sq ft, depending on scope | Stain or paint, clear coat, caulk, and weatherstrip |
| Removal and disposal | $100-$350 | $100-$350 per opening | Old door, frame pieces, and disposal fees |
| Trim or framing repair | $150-$1,500 | $75-$125 per labor hour plus materials | Damaged jamb, casing, sill, or rough opening |
Labor and finish work can add $700-$2,000 beyond the door purchase. Some contractors include basic removal and weatherstripping in their installation charge, while others list them separately. Ask for line items so the same work can be compared across bids.
Installation labor is often estimated as . A straightforward replacement may take 4-8 hours; repairs, custom fitting, or finishing can add labor time. A finish applied by a shop may be priced separately from on-site installation.
Which wood species, thickness, and glass details raise the price?
Species and construction are major price drivers. Pine and fir doors commonly cost $500-$1,500 for a standard slab, while oak and similar hardwoods often run $900-$2,500. Mahogany and other premium species may cost $1,500-$4,500 or more, especially when the door is custom-sized or has elaborate panels.
Door thickness and build also matter. A standard exterior door is usually around 1 3/4 inches thick. Thicker slabs, solid stiles and rails, specialty joinery, and custom panel patterns can add several hundred dollars or more. Buyers should verify that “solid wood” describes the actual construction, not simply a wood veneer over a composite core.
Glass and custom dimensions can move a door from a standard purchase into a specialty order. Decorative or insulated glass may add roughly $200-$1,200, depending on the size and design. A door wider than 36 inches, taller than 80 inches, or built for an unusual opening can add 20%-60% compared with a standard unit, before any reframing.
Existing opening condition affects the installed total. A sound jamb and level threshold may keep labor near the lower end. Water damage, a soft sill, out-of-square framing, or a need to alter the rough opening can add $300-$1,500 or more. An installer should inspect the opening before giving a firm replacement price.
Can the existing jamb keep the wood door replacement cheaper?
Replacing only the slab can save money if the existing frame is square, dry, and structurally sound. A compatible slab may cost $500-$2,500, with fitting and hanging labor around $300-$800. The door must match the opening, thickness, hinge locations, swing, and lock preparation; otherwise, modification may erase the savings.
A prehung replacement costs more upfront because it includes a new jamb and is typically easier to fit as a complete assembly. Expect roughly $900-$3,000 for a standard prehung door, plus installation. It is often the practical choice when the old frame is damaged, the threshold leaks, or the opening has shifted.
Keeping a healthy jamb can reduce the bill by several hundred dollars, but a failing frame can make slab-only work a false economy. A contractor can check for rot, loose hinges, water entry, and uneven gaps before the order is placed. If only the finish is worn, sanding and refinishing may cost about $250-$900, depending on door condition and finish type.
How much installation time and labor should a quote include?
A simple slab swap may take 3-6 hours, while a prehung replacement commonly needs 5-9 hours for a two-person crew. Costs rise when the crew must repair trim, correct a threshold, move a lockset, or adjust a warped opening. Custom doors may require separate shop finishing or a return visit after the finish cures.
For ordinary access, a labor allowance of $400-$1,200 is reasonable for a standard installation. Rates in major metro areas can reach $100-$150 per hour, while some rural markets are lower. A minimum service charge may apply even when the job takes only a few hours.
Ask the contractor whether the quote includes removal, disposal, weatherstripping, sill adjustment, casing, and cleanup. Confirm who is responsible for painting or staining, and whether the door arrives prefinished. Exterior wood may need finish on all six sides, including top and bottom edges, to limit moisture absorption.
Why regional labor and delivery can shift the total
Installed prices in high-cost coastal cities and dense urban markets may be 15%-30% above a national midrange estimate. Suburban areas often track close to typical rates, while remote locations may face added delivery or travel charges even when hourly labor is lower. Premium hardwood and custom products can show similar price differences because freight and supplier availability vary.
Regional differences usually affect labor and logistics more than the basic door dimensions. A standard replacement costing about $2,800 in a moderate-cost market could reach $3,200-$3,650 in a high-cost metro, before unusual repairs or a premium door selection.
Delivery for a heavy or custom door may add $75-$300 locally, with higher charges for distant suppliers, stairs, or special handling. Ask whether the product is stocked nearby or made to order. A long lead time does not automatically mean a lower price, and expedited production or delivery can add $100-$500.
Three sample solid wood front door quotes by scope
These examples show how door grade and opening condition change the installed total. They assume ordinary access and typical U.S. labor, rather than a fixed national tariff.
| Scenario | Door and materials | Labor and extras | Estimated total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic slab swap | $750 pine slab, $180 hardware and weatherstrip | 5 hours at $90, $120 disposal | $1,500-$1,700 |
| Midrange prehung oak | $1,800 door, $300 lockset and finish supplies | 7 hours at $100, $200 removal and trim | $2,900-$3,400 |
| Custom mahogany with glass | $4,200 door, $700 hardware and finish | 12 hours at $115, $600 framing and delivery | $6,600-$7,400 |
In the first example, savings depend on a usable jamb and a door that fits without extensive cutting. The middle example represents a typical full-unit replacement with moderate finish work. The custom example includes higher product cost and extra labor; a difficult opening or premium glass could raise it further.
Which choices lower the door price without sacrificing fit?
Keeping the existing size and swing avoids framing changes and custom-order premiums. A standard 36-by-80-inch door in a readily available species is generally less expensive than a nonstandard height, width, or panel pattern. Choosing a simple panel design and omitting decorative glass can reduce material expense without changing the basic installation scope.
Get at least three itemized quotes for the same door specifications and included work. Compare species, slab versus prehung construction, finish, hardware, delivery, disposal, and warranty rather than comparing bottom-line totals alone. Ask each installer to price both slab-only replacement and a complete prehung unit if the jamb appears sound.
Scheduling outside the busiest spring and early-summer remodeling periods may improve contractor availability, though it does not guarantee a discount. Avoid rush delivery where the existing door remains secure. If the door is structurally sound and the problem is peeling finish or minor sticking, request a repair or refinishing estimate before authorizing replacement.
Do not cut costs by skipping exterior-grade finish, weatherstripping, or correct installation. A poorly sealed wood door can absorb moisture, swell, and require early repairs. Confirm that the quote includes a proper threshold seal and that the installer will protect unfinished surfaces during fitting.