How Much Does it Cost to Install an Entry Door?

Reviewed by Joe Roberts remodeling expert. Written by Fixr.com.

The average cost to install a new door in your entryway

Your entryway door is one of the most important elements of your home’s exterior. Not only does this essential component defend your home from intruders and bad weather, but it also contributes to your home’s curb appeal. All things considered, it just makes sense to get a durable and stylish front door for your home.

Of course, getting a high-quality exterior door isn’t cheap. The average homeowner spends $1,353 to get a new single door installed in their entryway. Exterior door installation costs vary widely depending on the type of door you get and what it’s made from, though. Because of this variability, you should expect this project to cost anywhere between $975 and $1,773. In some cases, it can cost even more, especially if you’re replacing an existing door.

To learn more about entryway door installation costs and come up with your own rough price estimate, keep reading. We’ll break down the common factors that influence pricing, help you choose a solution that works for your budget, and point you toward some qualified installers.

Factors that can affect entry door installation costs

Door types and features

Exterior doors come in a huge variety of styles, and there’s also an immense assortment of add-on features a front door can include. As with any home improvement project, you should expect more deluxe or complicated door designs to cost more than low-end models.

For example, installing a single-slab, pre-hung door is generally half as expensive as getting a double door or french door of the same material. Specialty options such as storm doors, security doors, and fire-rated doors are usually much more expensive than basic options. Lastly, custom doors that are uniquely designed for your home can cost several thousand dollars to install, so they’re almost always your most expensive option.

Similarly, you’ll pay more for doors with optional features like sidelights, smart locks, glazing (built-in windows), deadbolts, and transoms. Each of these components can also add significant value to your home in terms of curb appeal, convenience, and safety, though, so there are valid reasons to go big on add-ons if you can afford them.   

Door material

Different door materials offer unique benefits and drawbacks, and they all come at different prices as well. To illustrate, here’s a table that breaks down the pros and cons of various door materials:

Door materials breakdown

All of this variety guarantees you can find a door that works perfectly for your home, but you may have to skimp on security, style, energy efficiency, or durability if you need to save money on your new door.

That said, the most affordable options usually don’t last the longest. Fiberglass and wooden doors can last twice as long—if not longer—compared to low-end options like hollow-core composite wood and aluminum. This means that getting a more expensive door might sometimes save you more money in the long run by ensuring you don’t have to pay replacement costs again anytime soon.

Additionally, the climate of your area may partially make this decision for you. Not all materials work for all regions because of different temperatures and humidity levels, so be sure to ask your installer what door material(s) they recommend for where you live. 

Labor rates

Aside from your new door’s design and what it’s made from, the price your contractors charge for their labor is the primary factor that will influence how much you’ll pay for your door installation project. Most installers charge between $67 and $121 per hour—though you can sometimes find handymen that charge less.

To put these prices into perspective, entryway door installation generally takes three to seven hours, so you could easily pay anywhere between $200 and $800 just for the labor this project requires. Be aware, though, that for especially large or time-consuming jobs, some installers simply charge a flat rate for the whole project instead of charging an hourly rate.

The bottom line is that you can save money on this project by shopping around for installers with lower hourly rates. Hiring cheaper installers could very well mean you get a worse end result, though, so be sure to check customer reviews of any installer you might hire and pick the most well-reviewed company you can afford. 

If you’re replacing an old door

If you have to replace an existing door in your entryway, you’ll probably pay a few hundred dollars more than you would if you were just installing a new door. This is because replacement prices include the labor and disposal rates to remove the old door and haul it away. 

Exterior door replacement costs can fluctuate a lot depending on if you can reuse the existing door frame, knobs, and door jambs, and this will depend on the state of these components, what they’re made from, and the door size they’re made to accommodate.

This means that you can usually save some money on your door replacement by picking a door of the same size and material as your old door since it will enable you to reuse more of the old door’s components. 

Entry door installation pricing tiers

The budget option

If you’re installing a new entry door instead of replacing an old one, then the best way to keep project costs low is to opt for a single-slab door with no add-ons in an affordable material like aluminum or composite wood. This door won’t last very long, it may not insulate your home too well, and it won’t provide airtight security, but it will be affordable.

On the other hand, if you’re replacing an existing door, then your cheapest option is to usually just get a new door of the exact same size and material as the old one. This will ensure your installers don’t have to adjust the size of the existing frame or cut into your drywall, and it could allow you to reuse some of the old door’s hardware.

One money-saving method that won’t work for this project is DIY installation. Even if you’ve installed or replaced a few interior doors yourself, you should still leave exterior door installation to the pros. If your entry door gets placed even slightly wrong, it can greatly compromise the insulation, security, and curb appeal of your home.

The mid-range option

If your home’s energy efficiency, style, or security are a bigger priority for you than just getting the cheapest door you can find, then we recommend going with a fiberglass door. This mid-range material brings the best balance of affordability, style, security, and longevity. 

Of course, this might mean having to restructure the frame of your entryway if you’re replacing an old door, and this could rack up some extra costs. However, since fiberglass doors last so long (up to 70 years on average), you could still save some money going this route instead of getting a cheaper door you have to replace every couple of decades.

That said, if the safety of your home is your biggest concern, then a steel security door might be a better fit than fiberglass. Fiberglass doors are highly durable and impact-resistant, but steel is the gold standard door material for home security. While you’re at it, you can also install a smart doorbell or burglar alarm system for even greater safety. 

The high-end option

Do you simply want the most stylish entryway door that money can buy? Then get a high-end wrought iron door or a solid wood door with intricate designs and add-ons. And if you really want to elevate the style of your home’s exterior, then you can get either option in a french double door design instead of a single-slab model. This could cost you thousands of dollars more than average, but it will guarantee your home stands out in your neighborhood. 

If security or insulation is more important to you than style, though, we still recommend getting either fiberglass or steel doors. Doors of both materials are available in a vast array of styles, so you can still find something that matches your taste while meeting your other priorities. And you can always spruce these doors up with stylish add-ons like sidelights and transoms. 

How to pay for your entry door installation

While it isn’t as expensive as some home improvement projects, installing a new door can still set you back well over $1,000. This high price tag can leave many unsure of how to pay for this necessary project. Luckily, there are a few ways to finance a new door when you don’t have the cash:

• First, you can finance through your installer. This isn’t always an option, but many door installation companies offer financing methods to their customers so they can pay for the project over time. 
• Secondly, you can take out a loan. This could be a personal loan or a home equity loan. The first will probably have a steeper interest rate, but the second will be secured by your house, so your lender could take your home if you default on the debt. 
• Your final option (unless you want to pay with a credit card which we don’t recommend) is to open a home equity line of credit (HELOC). This will give you a revolving line of credit to use on projects like this one. HELOCs are secured by your house, though, so spend carefully. 

Other factors to consider

HOA

As with any modifications to the exterior of your home, your HOA can object to your new door. If this happens, the association can fine you and even force you to uninstall the door and get one they approve of. The worst part is, you’ll have to pay for all of this work. To forego all this nastiness, get your HOA’s approval before scheduling your entry door installation. 

Maintaining your door

Once your new door is in place, take good care of it to ensure it lasts as long as possible. Proper care instructions will depend on what your door is made of, where you live, and what type of finish it has, but you usually need to at least paint your door regularly to prevent rust or rot. When your installers bring your new door to your home, ask them about the best ways to care for it long-term. 

Permits

When you install a new exterior door, you usually need to pull a permit through your municipal government office. Luckily, when you hire professional installers, they’ll pull the permit for you so you don’t have to worry about it. You will have to pay for it, though, and this can cost a couple hundred dollars depending on where you live. 

Getting a new door for your entryway

Whether you need to install a new door on a freshly-built home or replace an old, creaky front door, you shouldn’t wait. Schedule your installation as soon as possible to keep your home’s entryway secure, efficient, and appealing.