Installing a door costs about $200-$2,000 per door, with many standard interior installations averaging $450 and exterior replacements averaging $1,100. The door type, frame condition, material, hardware, and local labor rate have the biggest effect on the final price.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interior door installation | $200 | $450 | $900 | Standard prehung door and installation |
| Exterior door installation | $500 | $1,100 | $2,500 | Basic to upgraded entry door; complex openings may cost more |
| Labor per door | $100 | $250 | $600 | Depends on removal, fitting, and finish work |
| Door slab only | $50 | $250 | $1,200 | Material and style affect price |
Typical prices for interior and exterior door installation
A standard interior prehung door, including the frame, commonly totals $200-$600 installed. A basic slab replacement in a sound existing frame can cost $150-$450, while a solid-core or decorative door may bring the total to $400-$900. These estimates assume a standard opening and no major trim or wall repairs.
Exterior doors cost more because they need weather sealing, secure hardware, and careful fitting. A basic steel entry door installed often runs $500-$1,500; fiberglass or wood options commonly reach $900-$2,500. A patio slider may cost $1,000-$3,500 installed, depending on size, glass, and whether the opening needs alteration. For a typical home, budgeting $450 for an interior door or about $1,100 for an exterior entry door is a useful starting point. Assumptions: standard-sized doors, ordinary access, midrange materials, and typical U.S. labor rates.
What the door, labor, and trim add to a quote
Quotes may include the door unit, removal of the old door, installation, hardware, and finish work. Confirm whether the price covers casing, disposal, paint, and taxes; some contractors price those separately. The table shows common allowances per door, not guaranteed package prices.
| Quote item | Typical cost | What changes the charge | Common unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interior door unit | $50-$500 | Hollow-core, solid-core, glass, or custom style | Per door |
| Exterior door unit | $250-$1,800 | Steel, fiberglass, wood, glazing, and security features | Per door |
| Installation labor | $100-$600 | Fit, alignment, frame work, and finish complexity | Per door |
| Hardware and trim | $30-$400 | Lockset, hinges, casing, and upgraded finishes | Per opening |
| Removal and disposal | $25-$150 | Door weight, hauling distance, and local disposal fees | Per door |
Labor is often estimated from time and crew rates. A straightforward interior installation may take 2-4 hours; exterior replacements commonly take 4-8 hours, including sealing and adjustment. Ask for labor and materials as separate quote lines so the source of price differences is clear.
How frame condition and opening size change the price
A door that fits an intact, standard opening costs less to install than one requiring structural changes. Replacing a slab in a usable frame can save the cost of a new jamb, but the new slab must match the opening and hinge locations. A prehung unit replaces the frame and is often the practical choice when the jamb is damaged or badly out of square.
Nonstandard widths or heights, typically outside common 28-36-inch interior widths and 30-36-inch entry widths, may require a custom unit or opening adjustment. Rot, water damage, masonry, or a load-bearing wall can add $150-$1,000 or more in repair and carpentry. A new opening or major wall alteration is usually quoted separately. Before ordering, measure the frame and rough opening and ask whether the quote includes jamb repair.
Choose between a slab, prehung unit, and full replacement
A slab replacement is usually the lowest-cost option when the existing frame is square, solid, and compatible with the chosen door. It may not work when the old frame is warped, the hinge layout differs, or the door needs a different swing. Prehung doors cost more upfront but include a matched frame and can reduce fitting problems.
For exterior work, replacing only the slab can be difficult if weather seals, threshold, or security hardware are worn. A full prehung entry replacement generally offers a cleaner weather-tight installation, though it costs more and may require exterior trim work. Upgraded glass, decorative panels, and high-security locks can add several hundred dollars. Compare the total installed price, not just the door’s shelf price.
How many hours installers need for common door jobs
One installer may complete a simple interior door in 2-4 hours; removing an old frame, installing new casing, and adjusting the latch can extend the visit. Exterior work often needs 4-8 hours for a two-person crew, especially when weatherproofing or threshold adjustments are involved. Multi-door jobs can lower the per-door labor charge if openings are similar and completed in one visit.
Contractors may charge a minimum service fee of roughly $100-$250, even for a small repair or a single easy installation. Rush scheduling, difficult stairs, limited parking, or occupied-home protection can add charges. Ask whether the estimate includes setup, cleanup, and a return visit for adjustments.
Regional labor rates and project totals across the U.S.
Door prices vary by market. Labor in high-cost metro areas may run 15%-30% above national midrange estimates, while rural markets can be 10%-20% lower when contractor travel is short and competition is available. Remote locations may reverse that saving if delivery or travel fees apply.
For example, a standard interior prehung installation priced at $450 in a mid-cost market might reach $520-$585 in a high-cost city or fall to about $360-$405 in a lower-cost area. These are directional comparisons; local quotes depend on door availability, building age, and crew demand. Compare at least two itemized quotes from contractors serving the same area and scope.
Removal, paint, and hardware can raise the installed total
Old-door removal and disposal may add $25-$150 per door. New casing or trim commonly adds $100-$300, while painting or staining can add $75-$250 depending on preparation and the number of coats. A basic lockset may be included or cost $20-$100; smart locks and premium entry hardware can cost $100-$350 or more, before extra setup.
Exterior installation may also need new flashing, a threshold, insulation, or repair to siding and interior drywall. Those items can add $100-$600 when the opening has minor damage; extensive rot or water intrusion costs more. Have the installer identify allowances and excluded repairs before work begins.
Keep door installation costs down without sacrificing fit
Keeping the existing frame can reduce labor and material expense when it is sound and square. Choose standard sizes and readily available styles, reuse functional hardware where compatible, and handle simple clearing of the work area before the crew arrives. For several doors, request a combined quote and ask whether installation on the same day reduces setup charges.
Compare quotes with the same door model, removal scope, hardware, trim, finish, and disposal included. Avoid paying for premium glass or decorative upgrades that do not meet a specific need, but do not cut costs by skipping exterior weather sealing or proper fitting. A detailed scope prevents a low initial estimate from growing through omitted trim, disposal, or frame repairs.