Automatic doors typically cost $2,000-$12,000 per opening installed, with a common commercial sliding-door project averaging about $6,500. Door type, opening width, accessibility features, electrical work, and whether an existing frame needs replacement drive the price; large or revolving systems can cost considerably more.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automatic swing door | $2,000 | $4,000 | $8,000 | Operator added to a compatible hinged door |
| Automatic sliding door | $3,000 | $6,500 | $14,000 | One standard commercial opening |
| Revolving door | $20,000 | $40,000 | $80,000+ | Large, specialized entrance system |
| Annual service visit | $150 | $300 | $600 | Inspection and routine adjustments |
Assumptions: U.S. commercial pricing for a standard entrance, ordinary site access, and professional installation; regional labor and scope affect quotes.
Installed Prices for Swing, Sliding, and Revolving Doors
For a single commercial opening, a basic automatic swing-door operator added to a suitable existing door often costs $2,000-$5,000 installed. A new automatic sliding-door assembly commonly runs $3,000-$9,000, while a wider, higher-traffic, or upgraded system can reach $14,000 or more. These are project totals, not just equipment prices.
Revolving doors are a different category because they require a larger structure, specialized controls, and more involved installation. A modest commercial unit may start near $20,000, while larger or architectural systems can exceed $80,000. A pair of automatic sliding doors or multiple openings may also raise a project into the five-figure range.
For a typical single sliding entrance with standard sensors and no major structural work, budgeting $5,000-$8,000 is a practical starting point. A quote should specify whether the price includes the door panels, operator, activation sensors, safety devices, wiring, installation, testing, and removal of the old system.
Assumptions: Standard 36- to 72-inch commercial openings, midrange equipment, and no extensive storefront reconstruction.
What Door Panels, Operators, and Installation Add to the Quote
Automatic-door estimates combine the opening assembly with the operator and controls, then add trade labor and any site-specific work. Component prices vary by manufacturer, capacity, finish, and whether equipment is being added to an existing door or supplied as a complete package.
| Quote component | Typical price range | What changes the charge | Common billing basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Door panels, frame, and track | $1,000-$5,000 | Opening size, glazing, finish, and configuration | Per opening |
| Operator and controls | $800-$3,500 | Door weight, usage rating, and control features | Per system |
| Sensors and safety devices | $250-$1,200 | Sensor count, detection coverage, and code needs | Per opening or device |
| Installation labor | $700-$2,500 | Removal, wiring, access, and crew time | $75-$150 per hour |
| Electrical and finish work | $200-$1,500 | New circuit, conduit, patching, or trim | Per job |
| Removal and disposal | $150-$800 | Old door size and disposal requirements | Per opening |
A straightforward operator retrofit can cost less than replacing the entire entrance, but only if the existing door, frame, hinges, and wiring are compatible and in good condition. Contractors may also charge a site-visit or diagnostic fee of $75-$250, sometimes credited toward approved work.
Ask for equipment and labor as separate quote lines, so a low equipment price does not conceal electrical, removal, or finish-work charges.
Example: 10-16 hours of installation at $75-$150 per hour equals $750-$2,400 in labor before electrical or finish work.
How Opening Width, Traffic, and Sensors Change the Price
Door size and expected traffic influence the strength and duty rating of the operator. A standard opening around 36-72 inches generally costs less than a wider entrance that needs reinforced framing, larger panels, or a higher-capacity operator. For sliding doors, expanding a standard opening beyond roughly 72 inches can add several thousand dollars when the frame and panels must be upsized.
Traffic rating matters as well. A door used occasionally in a small office may suit a lighter-duty system; a busy store entrance used hundreds or thousands of times daily needs equipment designed for frequent cycles. Higher-duty operators and more robust hardware can add $500-$2,000 or more compared with basic equipment.
Sensor layout, safety controls, and accessibility requirements also affect the bid. An additional activation or safety sensor may cost $100-$400 installed, depending on wiring and device type. If a project needs a new circuit, conduit, access-control connection, or low-energy activation controls, electrical and integration charges may add $300-$2,000.
Measure the clear opening and estimate daily traffic before comparing equipment prices; a low-capacity operator may not be an equivalent substitute. Quotes should identify door width, operator rating, sensor locations, and intended use so bidders are pricing the same system.
Assumptions: Cost differences describe typical commercial equipment and installation, not major structural changes or specialized security systems.
Which Automatic-Door Upgrades Can Be Skipped or Scoped Down
The most controllable savings usually come from keeping a sound frame and door rather than replacing the whole entrance. If the current door is aligned, structurally sound, and compatible with an operator, a retrofit may save $1,000-$4,000 compared with a full assembly replacement. A technician should confirm that the door hardware and safety setup support the proposed operator.
Specify required functions rather than defaulting to premium options. Decorative finishes, extra access-control integration, custom glass, and nonessential remote monitoring can add hundreds or thousands of dollars. Avoid reducing safety features or required accessibility provisions to meet a budget; ask the installer which options are mandatory for the site and system.
Scheduling work during a planned renovation can reduce duplicate mobilization, patching, and temporary access expenses. If several doors are being upgraded, request a bundled quote while keeping per-opening prices visible. Comparing at least three bids is useful when each quote lists equipment models, sensors, electrical scope, labor, warranty, and exclusions.
Preserving compatible existing components and removing optional features generally saves more than choosing an under-rated operator. Confirm whether a contractor’s price includes permit coordination, disposal, and final safety testing before treating quotes as comparable.
Assumptions: Savings depend on the door’s condition, local code, equipment compatibility, and the contractor’s minimum service charge.
How Regional Labor Rates Affect Automatic-Door Quotes
Installation prices often run 10%-25% higher in high-cost metropolitan markets than in lower-cost rural or Midwestern markets, mainly because of trade labor, travel, and building-access expenses. Dense downtown sites may also require after-hours work, loading coordination, or additional insurance, adding $300-$1,500 to an otherwise ordinary project.
In lower-cost markets, a standard sliding-door installation may land near $3,000-$7,000 when the opening is ready and electrical access is nearby. In major coastal cities, the same scope can reach $4,000-$9,000 or more. These are directional ranges: equipment pricing can be similar nationally, while labor and site conditions create much of the regional spread.
Remote locations may face a travel or mobilization fee, commonly $100-$500 or more, particularly when a specialist must return for commissioning. Large commercial projects sometimes reduce the per-opening cost because setup and travel are shared across several doors.
Use local quotes for a true comparison and check whether travel, parking, and after-hours premiums are included.
Assumptions: Regional percentages compare similar equipment and project scope, not different door sizes or system types.
How Long Installation Takes and When Labor Gets Costly
A simple operator retrofit may take 4-8 hours, while a complete sliding-door replacement often requires 1-2 workdays. A revolving door, a multi-opening project, or a job that includes framing, electrical upgrades, and storefront repairs may take several days or longer. The site may need a temporary accessible entrance or planned closure while work is underway.
Labor is commonly billed as a fixed installation amount, but hourly rates of $75-$150 per technician are a useful estimate for additional work. Two technicians working 8 hours each at $100 per hour represent $1,600 in labor. Troubleshooting concealed wiring, correcting a sagging frame, or coordinating with a security contractor can add time beyond the initial estimate.
Urgent repairs and work outside normal business hours often carry a 1.25-2 times labor premium, depending on the provider and location. Scheduling installation during regular hours and arranging clear access to the entrance can limit avoidable delays. The quote should state the expected crew size, work duration, and how extra labor is approved.
Confirm the schedule and the hourly rate for unforeseen work before installation begins.
Removal, Wiring, Permits, and Other Add-On Charges
Replacing an old entrance can require removal and disposal, usually $150-$800 per opening. Electrical work may add $200-$1,500 when power needs to be extended or a new circuit installed. Repairs to masonry, storefront framing, flooring, or ceiling finishes are often outside the door contractor’s base quote and can add $500-$5,000 depending on the damage and finish materials.
Permit requirements vary by city and project scope. A like-for-like operator replacement may not require a building permit everywhere, while changing an opening, adding a circuit, or altering an accessible route can trigger permits or inspections. Allow roughly $50-$500 for routine permit and inspection fees where applicable; complex commercial alterations may cost more.
Access-control integration, push plates, key switches, and special security connections commonly add $100-$1,000 per opening. A service agreement may cost $150-$600 per visit, or $300-$1,200 annually for scheduled maintenance, depending on the number of doors and coverage. Warranty extensions can also change the up-front price.
Request a written list of exclusions for patching, permits, electrical work, and access control. Those items explain why two estimates for apparently identical doors can differ substantially.
Repairing an Automatic Door Versus Replacing the System
Common repairs cost less than a new door when the frame and operator remain serviceable. Sensor adjustment or replacement may run $150-$600; a control-board repair can cost $300-$1,000; and a motor or operator replacement may reach $800-$2,500 including labor. A diagnostic visit typically costs $75-$250 before parts, although some providers waive it when the repair is approved.
Replacement becomes more practical when repairs are frequent, parts are unavailable, the door no longer meets operational or safety needs, or structural damage affects the opening. If a repair quote approaches 40%-60% of the installed price of a suitable replacement, comparing both options can clarify long-term value. That threshold is a budgeting rule, not a technical standard.
For example, a $600 sensor repair may be reasonable on a newer $6,000 entrance, while repeated $1,500 operator repairs on an aging system may justify a replacement estimate. Ask whether the repair includes testing of activation and safety functions, not just the failed part.
Compare the repair total with replacement pricing and the condition of the full door assembly, not just the operator.