Exterior Door Costs

Learn How to Estimate Exterior Door Costs on Your Rehab Projects
Overview
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Things to Look For
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Price Ranges
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Repair Items
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Labor Costs
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Material Costs
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Location Factor
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Other Factors
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Calculating Your Budget
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Examples
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Other Resources

Overview

Exterior doors are a crucial part of a home's curb appeal, security, and energy efficiency. As a house flipper, you'll need to inspect the condition of existing exterior doors and determine whether they need to be repaired or replaced. This guide helps you estimate exterior door project costs and make informed renovation choices.

Things to Look For

When inspecting exterior doors, look for signs of damage, such as rot, warping, or cracks. Check the weatherstripping and hardware for wear and tear. Consider the door's style and how it complements the home's overall aesthetic.

To learn more about inspecting exterior doors and identifying potential issues, check out our detailed Exterior Door Inspection Guide

Price Ranges

Exterior door costs vary depending on the type of door. Single entry doors typically range from $250 to $1,000, while patio doors can cost between **$600 and $1,500**. Factors like the door material, size, and features (e.g., glass, sidelights) influence the final price.

Category Repair Items

Labor & Installation Costs

In addition to the cost of the door itself, you'll need to factor in labor costs for installation. Here's a general idea of what to expect:

Single Entry Door:

  • Installation time: 2-3 hours
  • Average labor rate: $50-$75 per hour
  • Estimated installation cost: $100-$225

Patio Door:

  • Installation time: 3-6 hours
  • May require 2 installers
  • Average labor rate: $50-$75 per hour per installer
  • Estimated installation cost: $300-$900

Keep in mind that these are estimates, and actual labor costs can vary based on factors like the complexity of the installation, any necessary modifications to the door opening, and the prevailing labor rates in your area.

Installation Timeline

Replacing a single entry door typically takes 2 to 3 hours, while patio doors can take 3 to 6 hours. The timeline can be affected by factors like the complexity of the installation and any necessary modifications to the door opening.

Material Costs

  • Door:  The cost of the door itself varies significantly depending on the material (steel, fiberglass, wood), style, and features.
  • Hardware:  Handlesets, deadbolts, hinges, and other hardware contribute to the cost.
  • Trim:  Door trim and casing enhance the appearance and finish of the installation.
  • Weatherstripping: Weatherstripping helps seal the door and improve energy efficiency.
  • Location Factor

    Location Adjustment

    The prices in the table are based on standard door installations in an average suburban area. Exterior door costs can vary substantially by location. If you are located in the East or West Coast, you could expect to pay 15% to 50% more than the recommended price provided. Consult our location multiplier index for more accurate pricing in your market.

    Determining Your Local Prices

    When budgeting for exterior door replacements, it's helpful to understand that material costs tend to be relatively consistent across the country. Big box stores like Lowe's and Home Depot offer similar pricing for doors, so you can generally rely on those prices as a baseline, regardless of your location.

    However, labor costs for door installation can vary significantly from one region to another. Factors like local labor rates, contractor availability, and the overall demand for construction services in your market all contribute to these price differences.

    Therefore, the most crucial aspect of determining your local pricing is estimating the labor cost to install the doors. As a general guideline, carpenters or general contractors typically charge between $50 and $75 per hour, or $400 to $600 per day. However, these rates can fluctuate depending on your specific market.

    Other Factors

  • Type of Door Material: Steel and fiberglass doors are generally more affordable than solid wood doors.
  • Size of Door:  Larger doors and double doors cost more than standard single doors.
  • Door Rough Opening Modifications:  If the existing door opening needs to be modified to accommodate a new door size, this will add to the labor costs.
  • Water Damage/Wood Rot:  If the surrounding framing or trim is damaged, repairs will add to the project cost.
  • Door Hardware:  The cost of door hardware can vary significantly depending on the style and features.
  • How to Estimate Exterior Door Costs

    Estimating exterior door costs involves identifying the number of doors to be replaced and multiplying that by the average cost per door for your chosen door type and materials.

    Measurements

    Simply count the number of exterior doors that need to be replaced.

    Calculating Your Budget

    Now that you've counted the number of exterior doors you need to replace, you can calculate a rough budget for your project. To do this, multiply the number of doors by your budgeted price per door for the type of door you want to install.

    For example, if you need to replace two exterior doors and your budgeted price for each door is $650, your estimated budget would be:

    • 2 doors x $650/door = $1,300

    Keep in mind that this is a rough estimate. The actual cost may vary depending on factors such as the type of door material, the size of the door, and whether you need to make any modifications to the door opening. Always consult with local door installers or contractors for accurate pricing in your area.

    Example

    For a typical rehab project involving replacing a front entry door, a garage entry door, and a patio door:

    • Front entry door (steel): $525
    • Garage entry door (steel): $525
    • Patio door (French): $1,050
    • Total estimated cost: $525 + $525 + $1,050 = $2,100

    This gives you a rough budget of $2,100 for replacing these three exterior doors.

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