How Much is a New Front Door?
Let's take a look at the average costs of a new front door...
The average cost of fitting a new uPVC front door is £300 to £570.
The price lands somewhere in the range of £550 to £2,620 for a composite door, £350 to £1,920 for an oak door, or £350 to £1,570 for a mahogany door.
In the case of a pine front door, you'll need to budget for anything from £170 to £1,220 and a custom-made door, £1,050 to £4,020.
The cost for fitting a new front door will depend mostly on the type of door that you choose.
What factors can affect the cost of a new front door installation?
The factors for the cost of front door installation include the type/size of the door, the number of tradespeople hired, ease of access, and location of your property.
The labour costs for fitting a new door tend to be higher in the London area when compared to other parts of the UK.
As for where you live, labour costs tend to be higher in the southeast (London in particular) but lower in regions such as Northern Ireland, Scotland, and the North of England.
Front Door Prices
| Type of Door | Labour Cost | Supply Costs | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| uPVC | £50 to £120 | £439 to £600 | £489 to £720 |
| Composite | £50 to £120 | £654 to £869 | £704 to £989 |
| Oak | £50 to £120 | £999 to £2,089 | £1,049 to £2,209 |
| Mahogany | £50 to £120 | £314 to £779 | £364 to £999 |
| Pine | £50 to £120 | £115 to £222 | £165 to £342 |
| Custom-made | £50 to £120 | £1,000 to £4,500 | £1,050 to £4,620 |
- How Much is a New Front Door?
- What are the Supply Costs of a New Front Door?
- What are the Additional Costs of a New Front Door?
- Tradesmen Costs for New Front Door Installation
- How Long Does It Take to Fit a New Front Door?
- Types of Front Door
- Front Door Letterbox Installation Cost
- How Much Does It Cost to Remove a Front Door?
- FAQs
- Sources
What are the Supply Costs of a New Front Door?
The supply cost of installing a front door can be broken down primarily into the labour and supply costs with the cost of materials making up about 60-70% of the total. This section will look at the supply costs involved in fitting various types of front doors.
These costs would apply on their own if you were to buy the materials for a DIY fit. The supply costs are roughly £439 to £600 for a uPVC front door, £654 to £869 for a composite front door, or £314 to £2089 for an oak front door.
The material costs land around £314 to £779 for a mahogany front door, £115 to £222 for a pine front door, or £1000 to £4500 for a custom-made front door.
Supply Front Door Prices
| Type of Door | Supply Costs |
|---|---|
| uPVC | £250 to £450 |
| Composite | £500 to £2500 |
| Oak | £300 to £1800 |
| Mahogany | £300 to £1450 |
| Pine | £120 to £1100 |
| Custom-made | £1000 to £3900 |
What are the Additional Costs of a New Front Door?
There are several added costs that you may incur when having a new front door fitted. Let's consider some prominent examples of what influence the price of front door installations.
Minimum Fee
Sometimes, labourers/companies will set a minimum charge, whether as a standalone fee or in some cases, one that is part of the expected costs such as a daily labour fee. Of course, a daily labour cost is unlikely to apply given that it usually takes up to half a day to have a new front door installed.
Front Door Size/Type
In the previous two sections, we looked at how the door's material is the main cost factor. However, the type and size of the door are also important.
The larger the door, the more expensive it is likely to be. As for front door types, the costs can vary significantly, from a simple timber entry door to a security door. Custom-made doors are another example of a more expensive option.
Materials
As discussed, the material that your front door is made from is the main cost factor. uPVC and pine doors tend to be the cheapest options, but composite can be quite dear with such doors often costing over £800 in supply costs alone.
Number of Tradespeople
In the vast majority of cases, a single door fitter will be able to install a new front door. However, if a second labourer is needed for any particular reason, this would obviously double the overall labour costs.
At the same time, it would reduce (roughly half) the time needed to complete the job so whether this will prove an added cost overall will depend on how well the door fitters work as a team.
Duration
In general, the longer a door installation takes, the higher the labour costs will be. With that said, in some cases if a set fee applies regardless of the time it takes, then duration won't actually matter when it comes to determining your bill.
Tradesmen Costs for New Front Door Installation
Though not the biggest cost factor, labour costs are generally the second most important price element for having a new front door fitted. We'll now take a look at the labour costs for fitting a new front door and the cost factors involved.
Given that the average time it takes to fit a new front door is the same for various types, the labour costs will end up around £50 to £120. The average daily labour cost of hiring a door fitter is approximately £150 to £200.
Among the factors determining the labour cost are ease of access, the state of the work area, and location.
How Long Does It Take to Fit a New Front Door?
We'll now break down the durations involved in having a new door fitted. In this section, we'll also consider some of the most common factors in shaping the timeframe of fitting a new front door.
On average it takes 2-5 hours to have a new front door fitted, regardless of the type. However, ease of access, the state of the installation area, and the number of tradespeople hired can also shape the duration of the work.
Since the door is being fitted from the outside, adverse weather can prolong or delay the work.
Types of Front Door
In this section, we'll take a closer look at the various options you have when it comes to having a new front door installed. Let's consider why you should and shouldn't go with these different types.
uPVC Front Door Cost
Unplasticised Polyvinyl Chloride (uPVC) doors are a cheap but sufficient option. They are highly resistant to the weather and much more than the average wooden front door, low-maintenance should last for 35+ years, and are not so prone to warping.
uPVC doors, however, are not everyone's cup of tea due to their look. Further, they can discolour and lose strength over time. The average cost of a uPVC door is £439 to £600.
Pros:
- Cheap but sufficient
- Weatherproof
- Low-maintenance
- A uPVC front door tends to be durable
- Does not warp easily
Cons:
- Can lose colour and strength
- Aesthetic not as popular
Composite Front Door Cost
This type of door consists of several materials that are pressed together and glued under very high pressure. The materials used are chosen for the positive properties they come with to maximise the quality of the door.
Composite doors tend to be a lot thicker than uPVC doors and tend to be strong, secure, durable, and resistant to the elements. They also require little maintenance, are thermally efficient, and feature a modern aesthetic. Composite doors tend to cost between £654 and £869.
Pros:
- Strong and secure
- Noise reduction
- Thermally efficient
- Low maintenance
- A composite front door offers a modern aesthetic
Cons:
- Usually expensive
Solid Oak Front Door Cost
The first traditional timber-based option on our list is that of solid oak. The value of doors made from solid oak is that they create a stylish and classic appearance and may be resized relatively easily.
It's also easy to change the colour of solid oak doors whether you want a blue, white, red, or black front door or even a grey front door. They can also be sourced sustainably. However, solid oak doors are not weather-resistant, and they are not as durable as the two previously mentioned options.
In addition, they can become warped and weather-beaten over the years. The average supply cost of a solid oak door is £999 to £2089.
Pros:
- Stylish and classic
- Prone to warping with time
- Colour can be changed
- Can be sourced sustainably
- Natural material
Cons:
- Does not last as long as uPVC or composite doors
- Require plenty of maintenance
- Not weather-resistant
- Can end up weather-beaten and warped
Mahogany Front Door Cost
The next choice is mahogany. Though it sounds more expensive, mahogany front doors tend not to be more costly than solid oaks with a price range of roughly £314 to £779, though it would depend on the quality of the door.
These doors are insect and decay-resistant, visually appealing, can be re-decorated and as with solid oak doors, are made from a natural material.
However, it is not generally as sustainable or as eco-friendly as most types of timber doors and needs to be resealed or re-stained every so often.
Pros:
- Aesthetic value
- Can be re-decorated
- Resistant to insects and decay
- Natural material
Cons:
- Not as eco-friendly as most timber door types
- Should be resealed or re-stained from time to time
Pine Front Door Cost
Alongside uPVC doors, pine doors are the cheapest option. Costs can be as low as £115, but they can reach up to £222. Pine doors are easy to sand, and you repaint or change their colour as you wish.
On the other hand, pine doors are prone to denting given that they are a softwood option, they are more vulnerable to weather damage, have a relatively short life expectancy of 10-20 years, and pine is not a very sustainable option either.
Pros:
- Can be cheap
- Straightforward to sand
- You can repaint and change their colour with ease
Cons:
- Not particularly durable
- Susceptible to weather damage
- Pine is not eco-friendly
Front Door Letterbox Installation Cost
When you’re thinking about sprucing up your front door, adding a letterbox might not be the first thing that comes to mind. But it’s a detail that marries convenience with a touch of personal style.
Interestingly, many front doors come without a letterbox, leaving homeowners scratching their heads over which one to choose and how much they’re going to have to fork out for it.
The cost of letterboxes isn’t something that’s set in stone. It really depends on what you’re after in terms of material, look, and any extras like security features.
If you’re not looking to spend much, you can find basic ones made of plastic or cheaper metals for around £10 to £25. They’re pretty straightforward but do the job.
If you’re willing to spend a bit more for durability and maybe a bit of flair, you could be looking at £25 to £80. These letterboxes are usually crafted from tougher stuff like stainless steel or aluminium and might come with a lock or are built to keep the rain out.
Now, for those who really want to splash out or are keen on top-notch security, the price can leap to £80 to £250 or even higher. We’re talking high-end materials like brass or copper and added security features that make it tough for anyone to tamper with your post.
Here are the most common types of letterbox:
Slot Letterboxes: The classic choice that fits snugly into your door. They’re sleek but might require a bit of a hand from a professional to get them fitted just right.
Wall-mounted Letterboxes: Great if you don’t fancy altering your door. They go up on the wall and offer a bit of flexibility in style and security without messing with your door’s integrity.
Freestanding Letterboxes: Perfect if you want something a bit different. They stand on their own near your entrance and let you play around with design and placement, though they do need to be fixed to the ground.
Door Basket Letterboxes: An inside job, these catch your post without the need to slice a slot into your door. They’re a bit of a rare find but a clever solution if your door’s not up for the traditional approach.
Not all letterboxes are a match made in heaven with every door. The material and design of your door are big factors in deciding what type of letterbox you can go for:
Wooden Doors: They’re pretty accommodating, making it easier to fit slot letterboxes.
Composite Doors: Tough and cosy, but you might want a professional to make sure adding a letterbox doesn’t spoil their charm or efficiency.
UPVC Doors: Often come with a letterbox already, but if you’re thinking of switching it up, you’ll need to consider the door’s design and how well it keeps out the rain.
Metal Doors: A bit of a tough nut to crack for slot letterboxes due to the cutting involved. You might be better off with a wall-mounted or freestanding option here.
Deciding to add or change a letterbox isn’t just about practicality; it’s a chance to give your front door a bit of a personality boost. There’s a bit to think about – style, budget, door compatibility.
If you’re feeling a bit stuck, having a chat with a professional could help steer you towards the perfect letterbox that not only looks the part but plays it well too.
How Much Does It Cost to Remove a Front Door?
You may decide to have a front door removed, most likely because you're having a new one fitted but it's also possible that you're choosing to fill it with a wall and have a new front door installed elsewhere on your property.
If you decide to have a front door removed, this job alone will cost about £40 to £180 on average. However, before any new work/installations are undertaken, the total cost of the job will likely be at least a few hundred pounds more than the estimate given above. Ultimately, it will depend on the nature of the replacement work.
FAQs
Q: Which paint is best for your front door?
A: In most cases, a semi-gloss finish is preferable.
Q: How much is a new front door?
A: On average, between £115 and £2089 or as much as £4500 for a customised front door.
Q: What is a Standard Front Door Size?
A: In the UK, the typical height for exterior doors is 1981mm, with the most frequent widths being 762mm and 838mm.
Q: How can I improve front door security?
A: One approach is to get more sophisticated, and higher quality front door locks. Alternatively, you could replace your current door with an actual security door.
Q: Can I fit a front door DIY?
A: You should only do so if you're completely sure of everything involved. Fitting a front door can be a tricky job. If you've any doubts, you should hire a professional door fitter.
Sources
- https://www.everest.co.uk/doors/new-front-door-cost/
- https://www.4feldco.com/articles/types-of-exterior-doors/
- https://www.angieslist.com/articles/how-much-does-it-cost-install-new-front-door.htm
- https://www.thelondonlocksmiths.co.uk/upvc/the-pros-and-cons-of-upvc-doors/
- https://www.orangeries-uk.co.uk/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-pine-conservatories.html
- https://www.justdoorsuk.com/how-to-measure-doors-windows.php
