Door and frame prices range from about $150 for a basic interior slab to $4,500 or more for a high-end exterior entry system installed. The final quote depends on door type, material, size, frame condition, hardware, labor, and whether the opening needs structural or code-related work.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interior prehung door and frame, installed | $350 | $800 | $1,600 | Common hollow-core or solid-core unit |
| Interior slab door, installed | $150 | $450 | $1,000 | Uses a serviceable existing frame |
| Exterior door and frame, installed | $900 | $2,200 | $4,500+ | Steel, fiberglass, or wood entry system |
| Replacement frame only | $200 | $550 | $1,200 | Price depends on size and wall repairs |
What a complete door and frame installation costs
A typical interior prehung door and frame costs $350-$1,600 installed, with many standard projects near $800. A prehung unit arrives with the door attached to its frame, which can simplify fitting and alignment. The estimate assumes a standard-size opening, ordinary access, basic hardware, and no major trim or drywall repairs.
Exterior entry systems usually cost $900-$4,500 or more installed. A basic steel unit is often at the lower end; fiberglass and insulated models commonly land in the middle; custom wood, decorative glass, or oversized systems can exceed the high range. For a normal replacement, budgeting around $800 for an interior unit or $2,200 for an exterior system is a useful starting point.
Door slabs without a new frame may cost $150-$1,000 installed indoors if the existing jamb is square and undamaged. A slab-only replacement is less suitable when hinges, latch alignment, or frame condition are poor. Exterior slab replacements are less common and can cost $500-$2,000 or more because weather sealing and security fit matter.
Common interior sizes are 24-36 inches wide and 80 inches tall. Standard exterior entry doors are often 36 by 80 inches, but double doors, sidelights, and custom openings raise material and labor costs. Assumptions: U.S. contractor pricing, standard opening, midrange materials, and no extensive wall reconstruction.
How jambs, trim, hardware, and labor appear on quotes
A contractor’s quote may combine materials and labor in one installed price or itemize each task. Asking for an itemized estimate helps distinguish the door unit from frame replacement, trim, disposal, and finish work. The ranges below describe common line items, not a guaranteed sum; contractors may price a complete installation as a package.
| Quote item | Typical range | Unit or scope | What changes the charge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interior door unit | $100-$700 | Per door | Hollow-core, solid-core, panel style |
| Exterior door system | $400-$2,500 | Per prehung unit | Steel, fiberglass, wood, glass |
| Frame or jamb materials | $75-$500 | Per opening | Wood species, thickness, custom size |
| Installation labor | $150-$700 | Per opening | Fit, removal, access, finish requirements |
| Hardware and lockset | $25-$500 | Per door | Basic passage set to smart deadbolt |
| Trim, disposal, and patching | $50-$450 | Per opening | Reuse, new casing, wall damage |
Some installers charge a minimum service fee of $150-$300 for a small job, especially when only one interior door is involved. Exterior work may include flashing, weatherstripping, threshold adjustment, and sealant in the installation price. Confirm whether painting or staining, new casing, lock installation, and hauling away the old door are included.
For labor-only comparisons, rates commonly fall around $50-$125 per hour, though many door installers bid by the opening. A straightforward interior prehung replacement may take 3-6 hours; an exterior replacement often takes 4-8 hours, including removal and weatherproofing. Check the written scope before comparing totals, since a lower quote may exclude trim, disposal, or finish work.
Which door size, material, and frame condition raise the price
Material is a major price driver. Hollow-core interior doors can cost $50-$200 as a unit, while solid-core models often run $150-$600. Solid-core doors reduce sound transfer and feel heavier, but require hinges and installation suited to their weight. Custom designs, specialty veneers, fire ratings, or acoustic construction add cost beyond standard residential models.
Exterior door materials carry different price and performance tradeoffs. A basic steel door may cost $250-$900 before installation; fiberglass commonly costs $500-$1,800; wood often ranges from $800-$3,000 or more. Glass inserts, decorative grilles, multipoint locks, and factory finishes can add several hundred dollars or more to the unit price.
Size changes both product availability and labor. A standard 30-by-80-inch interior door is typically less expensive than a 36-by-96-inch or custom-width unit. Widening an opening beyond roughly 36 inches, changing a single door to a double, or adding sidelights can require framing work and new trim, pushing the project several hundred to several thousand dollars higher.
Frame condition can turn a simple replacement into a larger repair. A sound jamb may allow a slab-only installation; rot, water damage, split framing, or an out-of-square opening usually calls for a prehung unit or carpentry. If the opening is more than about 1/4 inch out of square or the wall framing needs alteration, the installer may add time for shimming, reframing, or patching.
Exterior projects can also require safety or code upgrades. A door between a garage and living space may need a fire-rated assembly, while some locations require specific egress dimensions or tempered glass. Confirm the opening size and frame condition before selecting a model, because an incompatible unit can create costly adjustments.
Ways to lower the price without sacrificing a sound fit
Keeping a straight, dry frame can save the cost of replacing the jamb and casing. Have the opening checked before ordering, and compare a slab replacement with a prehung replacement only after hinges, latch alignment, and weather seals are inspected. Reusing a frame is usually most practical indoors; exterior frames need careful assessment for water damage and air leakage.
Choose standard sizes and readily available finishes when they suit the project. A stock steel exterior door or basic solid-core interior door can cost much less than a custom wood design. Hardware can also be selected separately: a standard keyed entry set may meet basic needs for $40-$150, while a connected smart lock can add $150-$400 or more.
Limit scope to the work that is actually needed. Reusing serviceable casing, painting the door after installation, or completing minor room-side touch-ups separately may reduce contractor charges. However, exterior sealing and weatherproofing should remain in the installation scope. Skipping flashing or proper threshold adjustment can lead to water intrusion and higher repair costs.
For multiple doors, request a single quote covering all openings. Bundling may reduce travel or setup charges, though it does not always lower each unit’s price. Compare at least three written estimates that specify door model, frame, hardware, labor, disposal, trim, finish work, warranty, and tax. The most reliable savings come from a clear scope and standard sizing, not from removing essential weather sealing or structural work.
How long installers need for interior and exterior doors
A skilled installer typically needs 3-6 hours for a standard interior prehung door when the opening is in good condition. A slab replacement may take 1-3 hours if the hinges and latch can be aligned without extensive trimming. Painting, staining, or repairing surrounding drywall can add a separate visit or extend the schedule.
An exterior prehung door often takes 4-8 hours for removal, fitting, fastening, sealing, and hardware. Masonry openings, old houses with irregular framing, or doors with sidelights can take 1-2 days. If rot is found beneath the threshold, the installer may need to replace damaged framing before the new unit can be secured.
Labor charges can vary with crew size and local rates. A one-person interior installation may have a lower labor total than a two-person exterior installation, particularly for heavy solid-wood or insulated doors. Some companies set a per-opening rate rather than billing hourly, so ask whether the quote includes additional time if the opening needs correction.
Scheduling matters most when a custom unit is involved. Stock doors may be available quickly, while custom dimensions, specialty finishes, and glass configurations can require several weeks. Allow extra time for exterior replacements if weather, concealed damage, or custom ordering could affect the job.
Interior slabs, prehung units, and exterior systems compared
A slab-only replacement is generally the least expensive choice when the existing frame is solid and the new door matches the old door’s dimensions and hinge locations. Installed interior slab prices commonly run $150-$1,000, with basic flat-panel models near the lower end and solid-core or custom doors costing more.
A prehung interior door costs more upfront but includes a new jamb and can resolve alignment problems. Installed prices commonly range from $350-$1,600. It is often the practical choice when an old frame is damaged, the door rubs, or the opening is being remodeled. Replacing the frame may also require new casing and touch-up painting.
Exterior systems cost more because they need stronger hardware and weather protection. A complete steel or fiberglass unit may cost $900-$3,500 installed; premium wood, glass, or oversized assemblies can exceed $4,500. Weatherstripping, a threshold, and a properly sealed frame are part of the system’s performance, not optional cosmetic extras.
Repair can be cheaper than replacement when only a hinge, latch, or strike plate is loose. A service call and minor adjustment may cost $100-$300; replacing a lockset can add $75-$350 for hardware and installation. Persistent drafts, water damage, a warped slab, or a deteriorated frame may make full replacement the more durable option. Match the solution to the actual failure rather than replacing a complete assembly for a small hardware problem.
Regional labor rates shift door installation quotes
In lower-cost rural markets and parts of the South or Midwest, standard interior installation may run 10%-20% below national averages. Large metro areas in the Northeast, West Coast, and high-cost urban corridors may be 15%-30% higher, especially where contractor availability is tight or parking and building access are difficult. These percentages are broad comparisons, not fixed regional price lists.
Material prices also vary by distribution and delivery distance. A remote home may face a delivery charge of $50-$250 or more for a large door, while urban projects may incur parking, elevator, or building-protection fees. Historic districts and older housing stock can require custom sizing or finish matching, which can add substantially regardless of the local hourly rate.
For a standard exterior replacement priced around $2,200 in an average-cost market, a comparable scope could be roughly $1,750-$1,950 in a lower-cost area or $2,500-$2,850 in a high-cost metro. Custom carpentry or premium materials can widen the difference. Compare quotes from contractors who work in the same local market and specify the same product and installation scope.
Three door replacement quotes with realistic scopes
A basic bedroom replacement might include a 30-by-80-inch hollow-core prehung door, standard hinges, a passage knob, and no frame repairs. The unit could cost $120-$250, labor $250-$450, and disposal or minor casing work $50-$150. A reasonable installed quote is about $420-$850, or approximately $14-$28 per square foot of door face.
A sound-control upgrade could use a 32-by-80-inch solid-core interior prehung unit with a lever handle and new casing. Materials and hardware may run $350-$800, labor $350-$600, and trim or disposal $100-$250. The total could land around $800-$1,650. The higher end is more likely when the opening needs adjustment or finish work is included.
A front-entry replacement might include a standard 36-by-80-inch insulated fiberglass prehung door, deadbolt, threshold, weatherstripping, removal, and exterior sealant. The door and hardware could cost $900-$2,100; labor $600-$1,100; disposal and trim $100-$400. A typical total is $1,600-$3,600, excluding major rot repair or custom glass.
These examples assume normal access and a standard opening. If a contractor quotes far below or above these ranges, ask which unit, hardware, repairs, and finish tasks are included. Specifications on the estimate make it possible to compare price differences instead of comparing incomplete totals.
Permits, disposal, and warranty charges to check
A simple interior door replacement usually does not require a permit, but rules vary by municipality and building type. Structural changes, new openings, some fire-rated assemblies, or work in a multifamily building may require approval or inspection. Permit fees commonly range from $50-$300 for straightforward residential work, while broader remodeling permits can cost more.
Removing and hauling away an old door may be included or billed separately at $25-$150 per unit. Larger exterior systems, multiple doors, or difficult access can increase disposal charges. Ask whether the installer will protect floors, remove packaging, and handle any required disposal rather than assuming cleanup is part of the quote.
Warranty terms differ for the product and installation. Door manufacturers may cover defects for a stated period, while labor warranties commonly range from 1-5 years. A warranty may exclude damage from improper maintenance, water intrusion, or unapproved modifications. Confirm that the model, hardware, and installation method qualify for the stated coverage.
For exterior doors, request confirmation of the insulation rating, glass safety specification where relevant, and installation details for flashing and sealant. Local utility rebates may occasionally apply to qualifying energy-efficient products, but availability depends on the utility and current program rules. Verify permits, cleanup, and warranty coverage in writing before approving the final price.