Door Installation and Repair Pricing for Handymen
Charge $150–$300 for interior door installations (pre-hung) and $250–$500 for exterior doors. Door repairs like fixing sticking doors, replacing hinges, or adjusting strikes run $75–$175. Hardware upgrades including deadbolts and handlesets add $75–$150 per door. Always include a minimum service charge of $150–$250 to cover travel and setup time.
Door work is a staple of handyman services — from hanging a new interior door to fixing a sticky entry door that has been driving a homeowner crazy for months. Pricing door jobs correctly requires understanding the wide range of complexity involved. A simple hinge replacement takes 15 minutes, while hanging a new exterior pre-hung door in a rough opening can take a full day with shimming, insulation, and weatherstripping.
Interior Door Installation Pricing
Pre-hung interior doors are your bread and butter. A standard hollow-core pre-hung door from Home Depot or Lowe's costs $80–$200, and you should charge $150–$300 for installation depending on whether the rough opening needs modification. Slab-only replacements — where you reuse the existing jamb and hinges — are faster and should be priced at $100–$200 per door. The key variables are: does the existing jamb need to come out, is the rough opening square, and does the casing need to be replaced? For new construction or remodel situations where you are setting a door in a freshly framed opening, charge $200–$350 per door. Brands like Masonite, JELD-WEN, and ReliaBilt are common at big box stores and are straightforward to hang. Avoid quoting solid-core or custom doors without seeing the job first — weight and hardware differences can double your installation time.
Exterior Door Installation and Replacement
Exterior doors are higher-stakes and higher-margin. A pre-hung steel or fiberglass exterior door costs $250–$800 for the unit, and installation runs $300–$600 depending on complexity. You need to handle weatherstripping, threshold adjustment, shimming for plumb and square, insulating the gap between the jamb and rough opening with low-expansion foam (Great Stuff makes a door-and-window formula), and ensuring the deadbolt and latch align properly. For sliding patio doors, charge $400–$800 for installation — these are heavy, require two people, and track alignment is critical. French doors run $500–$1,000 installed for the pair. Always inspect the rough opening before quoting exterior doors. Rot in the framing, out-of-square openings, or siding that needs to be cut back can add $200–$500 to the job. Build a contingency line into exterior door estimates.
Common Door Repairs and What to Charge
Door repairs are quick-win jobs with excellent margins. Fixing a sticking door — planing the edge, adjusting hinges, or shimming the jamb — takes 15–45 minutes and should be priced at $75–$150. Replacing a single hinge is a $50–$75 task (included under your minimum charge). Fixing a door that will not latch usually involves adjusting or replacing the strike plate, which is a 15–30 minute fix at $75–$125. For doors with split jambs or damaged frames from break-ins, charge $150–$300 depending on the extent of damage — you may need to splice in new wood, fill with epoxy, and refinish. Pocket door repairs (rollers, track, guides) run $150–$250 because accessing the mechanism usually means removing trim. Bifold door adjustments and replacements are $75–$150 per opening.
Door Hardware, Locks, and Smart Locks
Hardware upgrades are excellent add-on revenue. A standard Schlage or Kwikset deadbolt and handle set costs $40–$120 for the hardware, and installation runs $75–$150 per door. For smart locks like Schlage Encode, August Wi-Fi, or Yale Assure, the hardware runs $150–$300 and installation is $100–$175 including setup and connectivity testing. When quoting hardware, always ask the client if they want to supply the hardware or have you provide it. If you supply it, add a 15–20% markup for sourcing. For rekeying existing locks, charge $75–$100 per lock or refer to a locksmith — rekeying requires specific pin kits and practice. Door closer installation on storm doors or commercial-style closers runs $75–$150 including the hardware.
Storm Door and Screen Door Installation
Storm door installation is a common handyman job that pays well for the time involved. A standard storm door from Larson or Andersen costs $150–$400, and installation runs $150–$250. The job typically takes 1–2 hours and involves mounting the Z-bar frame, drilling into the door jamb, adjusting the closer and chain, and installing the handle. Most storm doors come with a template and all hardware, making them straightforward once you have done a few. Price higher ($200–$300) for doors on brick or stone surrounds that require masonry anchors. Retractable screen door installation (brands like Phantom or Genius) runs $200–$350 for labor because the track alignment is precise and the tension adjustment takes patience. Always verify the door opening measurements before the client purchases — a mismatch means a wasted trip.
Estimating Tips and Common Pitfalls
Door work has several common pitfalls that eat into your margins. First, always check the floor condition — if the flooring was installed after the original door, you may need to undercut the jamb or raise the rough opening, adding 30–60 minutes. Second, old houses rarely have square openings, so budget extra time for shimming and adjusting. Third, painting or staining is often expected but rarely included in door installation quotes — be explicit about whether finishing is included or extra ($50–$100 per door for paint-grade). Fourth, always bring a multi-tool (oscillating tool) for door work — it is essential for trimming jambs, cutting nails, and adjusting casings. For efficiency, batch your door jobs when possible: hanging three interior doors on one visit is far more profitable per door than three separate appointments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Charge $150–$300 for a pre-hung interior door installation, depending on whether the rough opening needs modification. Slab-only replacements using the existing jamb are $100–$200. These prices are for labor only — the client typically supplies the door, or you can source it with a 15–20% markup. Always include your minimum service charge even for simple door swaps.
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