Changing interior doors is a fast method to enhance your home’s design, but planning finances for the job means you need to know what you can anticipate spending on professional installation. Most professionals charge between $40 and $90 per hour to install a standard interior door, and the professional labor cost to install a standard interior door is usually from $100 to $300 per door. The labor costs vary depending on whether you install a prehung unit or a raw slab door, which needs precision carpentry, and can range from $50 to $500 per unit.
When planning the budget, it is essential to know the actual labor cost to install interior door units, as it will be unexpected later. Let’s take it easy. This blog is about knowing what the actual cost is to a contractor or handyman to do this.
What’s the Average Cost?
For a ballpark estimate, the average cost to install interior door styles is $150 to $500 per door, for labor alone. What is the reason for this large range? Because doors aren’t all the same! This is a simple slab door fitted to an old hinge, and it is quick. Heavy pre-hung double doors take 1/2 days.
Here’s a brief overview of the approximate proportion of doors by type:
| Door Type | Estimated Labor Cost | Time to Finish |
|---|---|---|
| Simple Slab Door (Replacing just the wood) | $100 – $250 | 1 to 2 Hours |
| Pre-hung Door (Comes with its own frame) | $150 – $400 | 2 to 3 Hours |
| Bi-fold / Closet Doors | $100 – $300 | 1 to 2 Hours |
| French Doors / Pocket Doors | $300 – $600 | 3 to 5 Hours |
Choosing Between a Slab Door and a Pre-Hung Door
A slab door is simply a blank door of wood. No hardware holes, no hinges and no frame. If you have a perfectly straight door frame and it’s in good condition, then you need only purchase a slab. That’s where the carpenter will need to cut the hinge holes and the hole for the doorknob out of the wood. The labor cost to install interior door slabs may have higher labour rates; although this seems like a simple job, it is important to note that it requires old-school precision carpentry skills to fit it in place.
Pre-hung doors are, on the other hand. These are pre-installed on a brand new post box. They are available to fit easily into the wall opening. The interior door replacement cost for a pre-hung unit is usually more efficient because it is faster to install. The carpenter just plumbs the frame, shims it up and nails it into the wall.
Material Impact on Your Labour Bill
The door you purchase is not only going to affect the retail receipt, it will also directly determine the cost of installing interior door units. The heavier or bulkier the items, the more time, muscle and skill it will require from your carpenter.
Hollow Core:
Light and filled with air. They are very simple to work with and can be installed by just one person, which reduces the interior door replacement cost.
Solid Core:
Tight-packed wood fibre for excellent soundproofing. They are also heavier than hollow core, and the average price to install interior door types such as these is higher, as they are more difficult to hold and level.
Hardwood:
High quality, strong, and attractive. Your labour costs will be higher here since you’ll need a very careful carpenter who may have to strengthen your wall framing to support the weight.
Glass or Decorative Panels:
Good for a home office but they are fragile. The price of glass versus interior door units is higher due to the requirement for a higher labour rate when replacing interior door units with glass, as the installer must move slowly to prevent cracking of the glass.
What Else Drives Up the Labor Cost?
At Fusion Estimating, we see the things that you don’t see when determining project estimates. Labor is more than just swinging a hammer. Here are some things that will impact your last quote.
Fixing Old Framing and Drywall
Older homes could have a bit of an off-center wall. Over time, houses subside. When the carpenter comes through the door and discovers that the door opening is warped, he will need to correct it before a new door can be installed. This will need a special level of construction expertise. If they have to alter the wall studs, then you may require a professional Drywall takeoff Firm to assist you with calculating larger structural enhancements or repairs, to make sure that your walls finish clean.
Painting and Finishing
The majority of doors are supplied “primed” (pre-treated) but not painted. Who will be painting them? If the installer is going to paint the door, the frame and trim, then that costs extra! To receive a clean, beautiful finish in a number of rooms, it’s crucial to obtain an accurate painting estimation in order to know just how much the primer, paint layers, and labor will add to the overall project.
Disposing of the Old Doors
Junk is not to be forgotten! When it comes time to get rid of the old, heavy door, the contractors are typically going to ask for a small fee ($20 – $50) to take it away, then toss it in the dumpster. Ten doors is a sizable sum of money.
Let’s Look at a Real Scenario
Assuming you have to replace five out-of-date and worn-out hollow-core doors in your hallway with new pre-hung doors, what is that cost?
The total cost of your base labor cost to install interior door for the five doors will be approximately $1,000-$1,500. This is assuming the contractor takes about 1½ days at your home. The price rises if they encounter problems such as rotten wood or framing that’s out of square. This is why, always, there should be a 10% to 15% cushion with the overall cost of a replacement. Helps to prevent unwanted shocks and surprises.
Can You Do It Yourself?
It’s definitely worth a shot! Here’s the good news, though. Doors are frustrating. Even ¼” off can cause the door to stick, swing open on its own or fail to latch.
The labor cost to install interior door projects are right first time, which is a great time saver. The professional installer will have the necessary levels, planes and saws to make this door slide smoothly and click shut perfectly each and every time.
Conclusion
Whether you’re a homeowner interested in making a change or a contractor on the verge of bidding on a massive apartment makeover, it’s important to get the numbers right. Any guess is a sure-fire loss of money or too much money.
At Fusion Estimating, we do the guesswork! Material takeoffs and estimates are extremely accurate and detailed on residential and commercial projects. If you’re in need of a takeoff with a high degree of accuracy for drywall work to adjust wall framing, or a painting estimation with a high degree of accuracy for painting the trim work, we’ve got you covered. Please contact us prior to your next project so we can ensure that your budget is secured!