Changing a door typically costs $250-$2,500, including the door and installation; a basic interior replacement is far less than a new exterior door or a job that changes the frame. Door material, size, hardware, labor, and whether the opening needs repairs drive the final price.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interior door replacement | $250 | $650 | $1,500 | Door, basic hardware, and installation |
| Exterior door replacement | $700 | $1,500 | $3,500 | Entry door with standard installation |
| Door slab only | $50 | $250 | $900 | Price varies by material and finish |
| Labor | $100 | $300 | $800 | More if framing or trim needs work |
Interior and exterior door replacement prices
A straightforward interior door change usually runs $250-$800 for a standard 30-by-80-inch door, basic hardware, and installation. Solid-core doors, custom sizes, or new trim can raise the total to $900-$1,500. Replacing only a slab can cost less when the existing jamb is square and the hinges and latch align.
Exterior replacements commonly cost $700-$2,500 for a prehung door and installation. Fiberglass or steel entry doors often fall near $900-$2,000 installed; wood, sidelights, decorative glass, or custom sizing can push a project above $3,500. Assumptions: standard U.S. door sizes, ordinary access, and no major structural repairs.
What the door, labor, and trim add to the quote
Quotes vary depending on whether they include removal, disposal, lock hardware, weather sealing, and painting. The ranges below describe common U.S. project charges; combined items may be quoted as one installed price rather than separately.
| Quote item | Low | Average | High | Typical scope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interior door slab | $50 | $200 | $600 | Hollow-core to solid wood |
| Exterior prehung door | $300 | $900 | $2,200 | Steel, fiberglass, or wood unit |
| Installation labor | $100 | $300 | $800 | Hang, shim, and align |
| Hardware and lockset | $25 | $100 | $400 | Basic knob through smart lock |
| Trim and finishing | $50 | $200 | $600 | New casing, paint, or stain |
| Removal and disposal | $30 | $100 | $250 | Old door and job debris |
Check whether the quote covers a complete prehung unit or only a slab, since that changes both material and labor costs.
How door size, material, and frame condition shift the price
Standard interior slabs are often 24-36 inches wide and 80 inches tall. A nonstandard opening, a door wider than 36 inches, or a custom height may require a special-order unit, adding roughly $100-$500 or more. Fire-rated doors and exterior doors with energy-efficient glazing also cost more than basic hollow-core models.
Keeping a sound jamb can save labor, but a prehung door is often the better choice when the frame is warped, rotten, or out of square. Repairing or rebuilding the opening may add $200-$1,000. Changing the rough opening, rather than fitting a replacement to it, is one of the largest cost jumps.
How many labor hours does a door change take?
A contractor may spend 1-3 hours replacing a slab in a compatible frame and 3-6 hours installing a prehung interior or exterior unit. Rates commonly run $50-$125 per hour, although many installers use a flat minimum charge of $150-$300. Exterior work can take longer when weatherproofing, threshold adjustment, or finish carpentry is needed.
Example: 4 hours at $75-$125 per hour equals $300-$500 in labor before materials or disposal. Ask whether the estimate includes both removal and final adjustment of the latch and weather seals.
Which add-ons can turn a simple swap into a larger job?
Common extras include a new lockset for $25-$400, casing for $50-$300, and painting or staining for $75-$300 per door. Rot repair, damaged subfloor near an exterior threshold, or reframing can add $200-$1,000. Some contractors charge $50-$150 to haul away an old door; local disposal fees and heavy doors can increase that charge.
Permits are not usually needed for a like-for-like door swap, but local rules can apply when changing an opening, adding an exterior entrance, or modifying a fire-rated door. Request separate prices for optional trim, paint, hardware, and frame repair so the base installation is easy to compare.
Why door installation quotes differ by U.S. region
Labor rates and contractor availability can make installed prices roughly 10%-25% higher in major coastal cities than in many rural or lower-cost markets. A standard exterior replacement that costs $1,200-$1,800 in a typical mid-priced market may reach $1,500-$2,300 in a high-cost metro, before premium materials or structural work.
Weather also affects product choices: cold climates may favor insulated fiberglass or steel units, while humid or coastal areas may need materials and finishes suited to moisture. Compare quotes for the same door model, installation scope, hardware, and disposal—not just the headline total.
Is repairing the existing door cheaper than replacing it?
Minor fixes can be more economical when the door and frame remain sound. Hinge adjustment or tightening often costs $75-$200; replacing a latch or basic lock may cost $75-$250 installed; filling and refinishing surface damage may run $100-$400. A door that sticks because of seasonal swelling may need adjustment rather than replacement.
Replacement is more likely to make financial sense when a door is cracked, badly warped, rotten, insecure, or repeatedly difficult to close. Get a repair estimate alongside a replacement quote when the issue is limited to hardware, alignment, or finish.
How to lower the price without sacrificing a sound fit
Keep the existing opening and trim when they are in good condition, choose a standard-size in-stock door, and reuse serviceable hardware where compatible. Buying a slab instead of a prehung unit can lower material costs, but only if the jamb is square and the hinge spacing matches. Avoid paying for decorative glass, upgraded locks, or custom finishes that are not needed.
Get at least three written estimates with the door model, removal, installation, trim, finishing, and warranty listed separately. Scheduling during a contractor’s less-busy period may improve availability, though discounts are not guaranteed. The biggest reliable savings usually come from limiting frame changes and comparing equivalent installed quotes.