Door Frame Replacement Cost

How Much Does it Cost to Replace a Door Frame?

Your door frame will need to be replaced if it is damaged, rotten, warped, or cracked.

It could also become difficult to open or shut the door properly. It may expose your household to the elements, causing dampness or a draught.

You must contact Building Control to replace a frame because it is classified as a 'controlled fitting' under Building regulations. Depending on the size, a hardwood door frame can cost anywhere between £60 and £800.

If you have a uPVC door, you will also need a uPVC door frame, and a uPVC door frame seal replacement, which is usually included with the overall cost.

It is suggested that you employ a joiner for this task; however, if you want to do it yourself, buy a frame kit because the joints are often pre-cut for ease of assembly.

The average cost of repairing an exterior doorframe is around £160, while repairing an interior doorframe costs around £150. Repairing a French as well as sliding doorframe costs in the same ballpark, though these doors may be more expensive to repair due to different types of frames than standard doors.

You may discover that you are more relaxed tackling certain repair tasks independently. Here are a few examples of doorframe repairs that may be required:

• Hinge tightening
• Sanding
• Including insulated tape
• Caulking

Repairing a doorframe may be less expensive than replacing it or installing a new door. However, if your doorframe is severely damaged or requires repairs that go beyond simple fixes, such as a sagging frame, you should call a professional.

If you have a jammed door or damaged hinges, you should probably call a handyman as well as a carpenter for assistance.

So, how much does a new door frame cost?

A basic interior door frame replacement will cost £115 to £225. The price you pay will be determined by the style, size, and quality of your door and frame. Speciality doors, such as French, sliding, or barn doors, necessitate different types of frames, which can cost £200 or more.

When it comes to fixing your doorframe, you have a lot of options. With a pre-hung door system, you can replace both the doorframe and the door simultaneously, or you can just replace the doorframe.

A pre-hung doorframe kit costs between £100 and £450 to install. Pre-hung door kits include a door that is already assembled to the frame, as well as hinge hardware and drilled openings for just a handle and lock.

Repairing a rotten door frame typically costs between £100 and £300, depending on the extent of the damage as well as rot. If your entire door needs replacing, the costs can skyrocket.

The source of the problem is usually what probably costs the homeowner the most.

If water infiltration is discovered, you can expect to spend a significant amount of money to install storm doors, awnings, or overhangs.

Below are some common issues that homeowners can experience with door frames:

• Split Door Jambs: This is frequently caused by physical force applied to the door and can influence how the door is placed.
• Drafts: If your door frames were improperly installed, uneven areas within the frame could create gaps through which air can enter the house. This is especially problematic in the winter when draughts can end up causing your energy bill to rise.

The following are some of the most common problems that homeowners have with their door frames:

• Sticking: Rapid changes in humidity and temperature levels can have an impact on how easily the door closes and opens.
• Sagging: This can give the appearance that your door is struggling to stay in place. If the door frame problem is not addressed, the door will have difficulty opening and closing. Not to mention how bad it looks!

Door Frame Replacement Prices

The table below will break down the cost of replacing a door frame:

What are the Supply Costs for a Door Frame Replacement?

Jambs that are worn out can make it very difficult to open or close a door. The problem can be easily solved by installing new ones.

Fortunately, with the right tools and a little patience, you can complete this project on your own and save money to hire a professional woodworker. We'll go through the supply costs here so you know how much to budget if you want to do the job yourself.

First, you will need a utility knife for £4 - £50, £3 - £7 for protective gloves, protective goggles for £1.50 - £15, a panel saw will cost you around £30 - £50, a wood chisel £8 - £18.

A claw hammer will cost around £5 - £15; you will also need a pry bar which costs around £9 - £40, a tape measure £4 - £40.

Depending on the type of door frame you want will depend on the cost. A wood door frame will cost £15 - £20 perm, a composite door frame will cost £30 - £35 per metre, and a metal door frame usually costs £100 - £300.

The table below will break down the supply costs to replace a door frame:

What are the Additional Costs of Replacing a Door Frame?

When replacing your door frames, you may decide to have additional work carried out to give your home a brand-new look! Or sometimes, small details can add up to the overall cost.

Therefore, here we will go over the additional costs of replacing a door frame so you know what to expect.

Painter and Decorator

When redecorating your home, keep the costs of interior painting for different projects in mind.

The typical cost of painting a room, for example, ranges from £180 for a small bedroom to £600 for a large living room.

A standard quote for hiring a painter and decorator ranges between £100 and £300 per day for large decorating jobs like painting and wallpapering multiple rooms.

They could only cost £15 to £40 per hour for smaller paint jobs, including painting door frames or kitchen cabinets.

The duration of a decorating job also is important because most tradesmen start charging for their time, so having an idea of how long a job will take will help you determine the total cost.

For further information, please refer to our guide on interior painting and decorating costs.

Remove a Wall

You may decide you want to remove a wall and have a room extended or add doors in other parts of your home.

The average cost of tearing down an internal wall is between £1,000 and £3,000. It is important to note that there are many costs associated with this type of work.

The labour costs for removing an internal should range between £400 and £800. You should also budget £200 - £300 for a professional engineer, and you may want to employ a building inspector for around £150 - £200.

You may also have to hire a skip to remove the wall materials, which will cost between £200 and £500.

For further information, please refer to our guide on removing internal wall costs.

Hang a Door

The price of hanging an internal door will typically differ depending on the specific door you select.

Some are suitable for lower budgets, with prices starting at around £40, while others are more luxurious, with prices ranging up to £5,250.

Bi-fold doors are one-of-a-kind doors that exude style and class. Their prices start at £1,650 and can go up to £5,250.

For further information, please refer to our guide on hanging door costs.

Plastering

After installing a door, you may need to plaster the wall. Or, to put it another way, priming and finishing. These procedures are carried out after your door has been manufactured.

They are carried out to increase the durability of your door, allowing it to withstand high pressures from weather and seasonal changes. This extra cost ranges between £100 and £1,200.

Skirting Boards

Professional skirting board installation can cost between £300 and £500 for a standard size, basic space without bay windows, as well as a straight-forward shape, but much more complicated areas with many more corners and edges to consider may cost closer to £800 for labour and materials.

Furthermore, most skirting board installers will include a small waste removal fee in their own work quote.

Consider both the style and the age of your home. Don't pick a skirting or a door solely based on how it looks.

Location

Due to the fact tradespeople' prices vary across the country, where you live will have an impact on the cost of installing skirting boards.

On the other hand, hiring costs in the southeast are usually higher than the national average, especially in London.

However, costs in the north of England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland are generally lower than in the rest of the country.

Number of Tradespeople

The cost of replacing a door frame is also defined by the amount of tradespeople needed, which is impacted by the size/type of door frames needed.

The more tradespeople needed, the more expensive the installation will most likely be.

Tradesmen Costs for Door Frame Replacement

A door must function properly, whether it is welcoming people into your home or keeping them out. If a door is not repaired promptly, the house's insulation and security levels will suffer.

An expert can make door and frame replacement simple; however, if you have carpentry skills, you can save money on labour.

Small maintenance tasks such as recalking, house wrap, replacing a lock or rehinging the door could be done easily, but any other repairs will necessitate the services of a professional.

Repairing, substituting, or installing an exterior or interior door frame can be a frustrating and time-consuming task. It requires the opening as well as the door frame to just be perfectly level and square.

If you are unsure whether to DIY or have a professional come in and replace it for you. Here we will go through the tradesmen costs of a door frame replacement.

Different tradespeople will charge different hourly rates. Some may charge for the entire day, some may believe they need more workers, and others may take much longer, which also will impact the entire price you pay for labour.

Fitting a door frame shouldn't take more than half a day, but you'll almost certainly be charged for the entire day. Depending on your location, the cost of labour will range between £130 and £200 per day.

How Long Does It Take to Replace a Door Frame?

Doorframes are important components of both interior and exterior doors. They contribute to the structural integrity of the door, provide long-lasting support for the door, and ensure that the door keeps hanging level to the floor.

Doorframes, like anything else in your home, are subject to wear and tear, weather damage, and other issues such as sagging, sticking, and swelling.

Whether you DIY or hire a good contractor, substituting or repairing a doorframe could indeed improve the look of your entryway. We'll go over how long it takes to replace a door frame, so you know exactly what to expect.

In 1 to 3 hours, a professional contractor, handyman, or carpenter can hang as well as install the doorframe. Use this average to calculate how much installation could cost if your contractor charges by the hour rather than a flat fee.

Because replacing a door frame takes some time, you should begin this project as soon as possible in the day.

While you can build one from scratch, we recommend buying a kit that you can easily assemble and have a brand-new door frame in no time.

Types of Door Frames

When it comes to security, door frames are an important consideration that is frequently overlooked. No matter how stable the door or protect the locks, if the door hinge has been drilled into a flimsy frame, this can be kicked down in a second by someone determined to do it.

Because most locks, as well as deadbolts, protrude into the doorframe and rely on it for support, selecting the appropriate frame is critical to ensuring that your doors have been securely attached.

In this section, we will go over the different types of door frames so you can decide which one will suit your home!

Wooden Door Frame

Wooden door frames usually cost £15 - £20 per metre. Door frames are made up of three members, whereas window and ventilator frames are made up of at least four. The material classification of the door, window, and ventilator frames are as follows.

Because of the ease of cutting, shaping, and joinery with simple hand tools, wood is still the most popular material for the construction of doors, windows, and ventilators. There are numerous benefits and drawbacks to installing wooden door frames.

The temperature has no effect on wooden door frames because the wood has a high R-value. Because wood is a poor conductor of electricity and heat, it is less susceptible to condensation.

Wooden frames also have a very good as well as attractive appearance in the building and can provide whatever finish is needed by the architect.

If you are dissatisfied with the results, wooden door frames could be painted or polished in any colour, and there is no rusting in them! The upkeep of wooden frames is simple and inexpensive, and they have a long life if high-quality wood is used.

The disadvantage of wooden door frames is that they are susceptible to termites and insects, and the cost of good quality timber is prohibitively expensive. As a result, they are more expensive than metal frames but less expensive than aluminium frames.

Suppliers/contractors provide poor quality timber with knots and rotten pieces, and because of these flaws, the frames deteriorate quickly. If season wood is not used, twisting problems are discovered in the wooden frames.

Pros

• Not affected by the temperature
• Attractive in homes

Cons

• Expensive

Composite Door Frame

Composite door frames are made up of a variety of elements and materials. A durable, solid, veneered, and laminated timber core is included. The composite exterior door frames are available in a variety of types, styles, sizes, and other configurations.

These door frames, unlike other external door frames, meet quality, safety, and security standards.

Composite frames are long-lasting, well-insulated, and less likely to show scratches as well as scuffs.

The main disadvantage of composite doors is their high cost. They are very expensive in comparison to other materials.

Despite this, the advantages are numerous: they are extremely strong and secure, require little maintenance, are long-lasting, and provide insulation against sound and the elements.

Composite door frames are the most recent and cutting-edge type of home door on the market. Considering the flaws and disadvantages of single-material doors, composed door frames are made of strong, classy, and long-lasting materials.

The materials chosen are chosen for their beneficial properties in removing the old flaws.

Because of smart manufacturing techniques, composite door frames have a long-lasting aesthetic and colour. The weather-resistant composite door frames are the result of these efficient techniques. They are the most long-lasting option for your home or office.

Keep your worries to a minimum if you are constantly concerned about spending your time and money on the upkeep of these doors. These doors can be your go-to solution in a pinch. They are an excellent addition to your property.

Pros

• Made in serval shapes and sizes
• Long-lasting

Cons

• Most expensive type of door frame

Metal Door Frame

Aluminium and steel are the two most common metal door materials. They are less expensive than composite doors and provide several advantages such as weather resistance, fire resistance, high security, and resistance to moisture and rotting.

Unfortunately, they have drawbacks such as a less appealing appearance and are susceptible to rust.

Aluminium door frames have the same moisture resistance as stainless steel or fibreglass-based frames. Many aluminium frames are sold with an oxidised coating. Anodisation is another name for this industrial coating process.

This coating prevents corrosion and pitting/scratching, trying to make the door frames resistant to moisture and careless handling.

As a result, aluminium door frames are an excellent choice for exterior doors that must withstand harsh weather conditions.

In contrast, wooden door frames have been known to warp as a result of moisture seepage, and metal doors are prone to scratches and corrosion.

Pros

• Less expensive
• Weather-resistant
• Fire-resistant

Cons

• It can show scratches

Different shapes, as well as materials, can affect the strength of a door frame for the better or worse. Investing the extra time and money in selecting a material that will not only look good over time but will also hold up under sustained pressure is worthwhile.

Rectangular door frames provide a strong support structure, but also changing or adding more angles to a frame may introduce weak points that can be exploited.

The ability of different materials to transfer heat into or out of a house is a significant difference. Metal, for example, is a superior thermal conductor and can easily serve as a highly effective thermal bridge.

Metal door frames, on the other hand, can be made with thermal breaks, which will help prevent this one while still giving you the desired look.

Timber, on the other hand, is a poor heat conductor and does a good job of keeping the heat in or out of your home, as do uPVC, fibreglass, and similar materials.

How Much Does It Cost to Remove a Door Frame?

If you need your door frame removed, the cost will usually range between £100 and £300, depending on the extent of the damage as well as rot. If the whole door needs to be replaced, the costs can skyrocket.

The source of the problem is usually what ends up costing the house owner the most. If water infiltration is discovered, you can expect to spend a significant amount of money to install storm doors, awnings, or overhangs.

While most amputations or severe injuries to children's fingers occur from doors in commercial properties, this can also occur in the home. To ensure maximum safety in the home, install a hinge guard/protector and a door stopper on each door.

FAQs

Q: How do you measure a door frame for replacement?

A: Take three measurements within the door frame – one at the top, one in the middle, and one at the bottom. The width of the door is determined by the widest measurement.

To determine the width of the three areas of the door frame, use a tape measure. Measure the width of the frame from left to right with a tape measure and record the results.

Q: Can you just replace a door frame?

A: You can substitute the door frame without having to replace the door if the door is still in good condition. You do not have to hire a professional or spend a lot of money to complete this task.

You can end up making your door open and close smoothly with a little patience as well as the right tools.

Q: How can you fix a door frame?

A: If the damage is only a scratch, you can sand it down until it is smooth. However, for deeper dents, scratches, and gouges, use epoxy filler, then let it completely dry. After the epoxy filler has dried, sand it smooth. Apply one coat of primer and two coats of paint to the repaired area.

Q: Is replacing a door frame hard?

A: Setting up a new door frame is a job that you could do on your own if you're in a hurry. Installing a full pre-hung door or a new solid door, on the other hand, is best done with the assistance of another person.

Q: What is the best material for a door frame?

A: Aluminium is an excellent material for door frames. It is long-lasting, resistant to the elements, and light enough to be used as a sliding or swinging door. With modern advances, this is even more power-efficient than previous aluminium door systems.

Sources

1. https://www.alpinedoorservice.com/how-much-does-it-cost-to-replace-a-door-frame/
2. https://www.wcmanet.org/how-to-replace-door-frame/
3. http://www.gharexpert.com/tips/articles/Construction/992/Door-Frames-992-Advantages-Disadvantages-Wooden-Door,-Windo_0
4. https://www.emeralddoors.co.uk/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-composite-doors.html/

Author: Emma M

I am a Liverpool-based freelance writer with a degree in Media and Communications. I specialise in product reviews, home improvement and DIY content. I am also experienced in social media management and content marketing.