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Can someone give me a quick estimate for replacing two screen doors and two doors, all standard size?

evident

evident

Lifer
so earlier this week i told my parents that i wanted to get our doors replaced, so they asked this guy to come out (he's referred by family members) to take measurements on the door. he told my dad it would be $500 for labor. My dad also told me that the doors were standard size and we'd just have to go to lowes and pick the doors/screens out.

this would be screen and front door, and screen and rear door

I was under the impression that my dad and i would be trying to DIY but he went out and did this, and i was working all week late ate night and didn't get to talk to them till tonight, and it turns out that the guy wants to install it this weekend!.

$500 seems alot to do doors, but i could be completely wrong.

so are we being ripped off? if so, what do we say to this guy w/o offending him?
 
If he's doing the complete install with weather sealing and threshold, $500 for four doors seems reasonable.
 
I was gonna say "$500", but thought it was just a joke answer. So I'll revise it to $1,000.

$500 sounds awfully high to me. Goto Lowes first and price out the doors. As long as they fit and the current Door Frame is fine, it should take 20 minutes to remove/replace. Assuming Locks line up properly.
 
Originally posted by: evident
so earlier this week i told my parents that i wanted to get our doors replaced, so they asked this guy to come out (he's referred by family members) to take measurements on the door. he told my dad it would be $500 for labor. My dad also told me that the doors were standard size and we'd just have to go to lowes and pick the doors/screens out.

I was under the impression that my dad and i would be trying to DIY but he went out and did this, and i was working all week late ate night and didn't get to talk to them till tonight, and it turns out that the guy wants to install it this weekend!.

$500 seems alot to do doors, but i could be completely wrong.

so are we being ripped off? if so, what do we say to this guy w/o offending him?
Click to expand...

Is this a front and rear exterior doors?

 
$500 to install two exterior doors doesn't sound extraordinarily high. It's a small job, small jobs are more expensive.

Get another quote or two, you could probably get it done cheaper in this economy. The quality of the work is what would concern me most.
 
Originally posted by: ManyBeers
Originally posted by: evident
so earlier this week i told my parents that i wanted to get our doors replaced, so they asked this guy to come out (he's referred by family members) to take measurements on the door. he told my dad it would be $500 for labor. My dad also told me that the doors were standard size and we'd just have to go to lowes and pick the doors/screens out.

I was under the impression that my dad and i would be trying to DIY but he went out and did this, and i was working all week late ate night and didn't get to talk to them till tonight, and it turns out that the guy wants to install it this weekend!.

$500 seems alot to do doors, but i could be completely wrong.

so are we being ripped off? if so, what do we say to this guy w/o offending him?
Click to expand...

Is this a front and rear exterior doors?
Click to expand...

correct sir. i believe he's doing everything, but i could be wrong...
 
Originally posted by: ironwing
If he's doing the complete install with weather sealing and threshold, $500 for four doors seems reasonable.
Click to expand...

how difficult is this to DIY? you basically just need to jizz it up with some caulk or similar material right?
 
Unless he is tearing out and replacing the frames as well, $500 for labor is high.

I'd estimate for someone that knows what they are doing to simply replace a door and reinstall the hardware should take 1.25 manhours tops if they are the same size. Replacing a screen door, assuming it's just a cheapo wood one, .75 manhour, TOPS. Maybe 2 manhours if it's a storm door.

So, WORST case, 5-6 manhours. If he's not supplying or picking up the materials, then I'd expect a handyman type to ask about $350 or so.
 
Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats
Unless he is tearing out and replacing the frames as well, $500 for labor is high.

I'd estimate for someone that knows what they are doing to simply replace a door and reinstall the hardware should take 1.5 manhours tops if they are the same size. Replacing a screen door, assuming it's just a cheapo wood one, 1 manhour, TOPS. Maybe 2 manhours if it's a storm door.

So, WORST case, 6-7 manhours. If he's not supplying or picking up the materials, then I'd expect a handyman type to ask about $350 or so.
Click to expand...

no painting, i am paying for all of the materials pretty much. we're just paying him to do the labor for us.
 
Originally posted by: ironwing
If he's doing the complete install with weather sealing and threshold, $500 for four doors seems reasonable.
Click to expand...

I agree. I believe HD and Lowes will charge $175 to install exterior doors and $75 for storms. So, there's your $500.
 
Originally posted by: evident
Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats
Unless he is tearing out and replacing the frames as well, $500 for labor is high.

I'd estimate for someone that knows what they are doing to simply replace a door and reinstall the hardware should take 1.5 manhours tops if they are the same size. Replacing a screen door, assuming it's just a cheapo wood one, 1 manhour, TOPS. Maybe 2 manhours if it's a storm door.

So, WORST case, 6-7 manhours. If he's not supplying or picking up the materials, then I'd expect a handyman type to ask about $350 or so.
Click to expand...

no painting, i am paying for all of the materials pretty much. we're just paying him to do the labor for us.
Click to expand...

get another bid. can't hurt.

Really, this probably isn't anything you can't do if you can avoid stabbing yourself with a screwdriver.

Also, be aware that with you furnishing the materials, should he damage them, you may be SOL. Also, no warranty on materials that way.
 
Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
Originally posted by: ironwing
If he's doing the complete install with weather sealing and threshold, $500 for four doors seems reasonable.
Click to expand...

I agree. I believe HD and Lowes will charge $175 to install exterior doors and $75 for storms. So, there's your $500.
Click to expand...

If HD can sub it out and still make enough money doing so, OP should be able to get it done for under $400 direct.
 
Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats
Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
Originally posted by: ironwing
If he's doing the complete install with weather sealing and threshold, $500 for four doors seems reasonable.
Click to expand...

I agree. I believe HD and Lowes will charge $175 to install exterior doors and $75 for storms. So, there's your $500.
Click to expand...

If HD can sub it out and still make enough money doing so, OP should be able to get it done for under $400 direct.
Click to expand...

although we've never done doors before, i feel that My dad and I are capable of DIY for these. i think he just jumped the gun and trusted this guy because he was referred to us by family.


Originally posted by: freshgeardude
obligatory " ITS OVER 9000!!!!!!"
Click to expand...

WHAT 9000!!!!!!!
 
Note, if your frames are in good shape, you may be able to be able to buy new doors that fit the existing frame but the difficult part will be finding a door with hinges that will match-up with the hinges of your existing door frame. This will save a ton of work. Measure the hinge locations of your existing door and see if you can get a door with hinges in the exact spots when you go shopping.

Storm doors are really easy to replace.
 
When I worked at HD about 7-8 years ago, it was $419 to install a exterior door, $119 for a storm door. If both were at the same time it was $389 + $89.

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats
If HD can sub it out and still make enough money doing so, OP should be able to get it done for under $400 direct.
Click to expand...

HD's price was really close to contractor cost. If you counted the employees managing the process HD lost money on the labor itself. Our store had 1 full time person dedicated to the store side of the process. I can't speak to all stores, only the one I worked at. And since I personally sold $70-80k worth of exterior doors a week, and ran the millwork dept that sold 100-120k a week, I know what I am talking about 🙂

That being said, I can easily install an exterior prehung door in about 90 minutes. It actually takes me longer to install the storm door than the entry door. However, just because I (and trained professionals) make it looks easy doesn't make it cheap. Remember, part of what you are paying for is the trip out to your house, all the estimates that get turned down, training, disposal, tools, supplies like shims, insulation, caulk, etc.

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
Note, if your frames are in good shape, you may be able to be able to buy new doors that fit the existing frame but the difficult part will be finding a door with hinges that will match-up with the hinges of your existing door frame. This will save a ton of work. Measure the hinge locations of your existing door and see if you can get a door with hinges in the exact spots when you go shopping.
Click to expand...

Forget it. Customers used to come in looking for this all the time. What you ask is just about impossible. The only way they will match is if the door is from the same company from the same lot.

You can however, bring the door somewhere and have it measured, then a new door slab cut to match. However it is a very good idea to replace the frame at the same time as the door. They age at the same rate.

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
Storm doors are really easy to replace.
Click to expand...

Easy, yes. But also time consuming. Be aware the first cut you make on the lock side of the door will prove too difficult for about 30% of people because they don't read instructions. We got about 30% return rate from customers who screwed up that first cut. Thankfully, Larson understood, and would send the customer another free piece. Emco didn't, though they may now (hopefully).

If you install your own storm door, read the instructions 3 times otherwise, your latch will not line up. I guarantee it.
 
Originally posted by: Evadman
When I worked at HD about 7-8 years ago, it was $419 to install a exterior door, $119 for a storm door. If both were at the same time it was $389 + $89.

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats
If HD can sub it out and still make enough money doing so, OP should be able to get it done for under $400 direct.
Click to expand...

HD's price was really close to contractor cost. If you counted the employees managing the process HD lost money on the labor itself. Our store had 1 full time person dedicated to the store side of the process. I can't speak to all stores, only the one I worked at. And since I personally sold $70-80k worth of exterior doors a week, and ran the millwork dept that sold 100-120k a week, I know what I am talking about 🙂

That being said, I can easily install an exterior prehung door in about 90 minutes. It actually takes me longer to install the storm door than the entry door. However, just because I (and trained professionals) make it looks easy doesn't make it cheap. Remember, part of what you are paying for is the trip out to your house, all the estimates that get turned down, training, disposal, tools, supplies like shims, insulation, caulk, etc.
Click to expand...

great insight.
 
If you are replacing the exterior doors with slabs it will take about 2 hrs each to prep and install, provided everything is plumb and square.

1hr each for the storm doors.

I would think you would get several bids for $350, Ill come do it for $500 and I hate working OT.
 
Originally posted by: zerocool84
There is no such thing as standard size for anything.
Click to expand...

Actually, there is for doors, probably the only thing in your house that's standard. The national standard widths are 28" (bathroom), 30" (bedroomdoors), 32" (most popular secondary exterior entrance door like for a garage), 36" (minimum required front door size for new contruction). Doors are commonly called 80 inches tall, though they are actually 79 1/2" inches for the door itself. The clear opening is 80 inches tall, meaning there is 1/4" inch clearance for the top and bottom. On an exterior door, the threshold is usually height adjustable to close the gap as tight as possible.

Frames are 3/4" thick on almost all interior & exterior doors. Rough-in sizes for interior doors are door width + 2 inches in width, and 82" for interior and 83" for exterior. The exterior difference is for the threshold.

If you measure the door frame itself for a normal front door, it will be 37 1/2" wide and 82 1/2" tall. Some weaker doors will not use ears on the top of the side frames, resulting in a 82" height instead of 82 1/2".

Interior door frames are 81 1/2" inches tall including ears. Don't buy an interior door without the ears at the top.

The width reasoning is pretty simple actually. Guess what size door you need in order to get a gurney out of? 🙂

Also, as a note, the top hinge on a door caries 90% of the door weight. To keep the door from sagging, replace 2 of the 1/2" hinge screws with 3 inch wood screws. That way the frame is not carying the weight of the door, the cripples are.

For exterior doors, replace 2 screws from every hinge, and use 3" screws for the lock plate. It won't stop someone from breaking in, but they will have to hit the door a lot harder to break the lock plate off with 3" screws. If you want the thoughest frame you can get to deter break0ins, get a 90 minute outswing door. It will have a metal frame, and there will be about 2 1/2" inches of metal that needs to be crushed (along with all hinges) before the door will open. Even a battering ram will have a seriously though time of it.
 
Originally posted by: Evadman
Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
Note, if your frames are in good shape, you may be able to be able to buy new doors that fit the existing frame but the difficult part will be finding a door with hinges that will match-up with the hinges of your existing door frame. This will save a ton of work. Measure the hinge locations of your existing door and see if you can get a door with hinges in the exact spots when you go shopping.
Click to expand...

Forget it. Customers used to come in looking for this all the time. What you ask is just about impossible. The only way they will match is if the door is from the same company from the same lot.

You can however, bring the door somewhere and have it measured, then a new door slab cut to match. However it is a very good idea to replace the frame at the same time as the door. They age at the same rate.
Click to expand...

When I moved out to CA and rented an apt from my friend. I bought a door to replace her existing one so that I could put a doggie door in mine. First one, the hinges did not match. Went back and got another brand and it fit like a T. I must have gotten lucky then.

 
Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
When I moved out to CA and rented an apt from my friend. I bought a door to replace her existing one so that I could put a doggie door in mine. First one, the hinges did not match. Went back and got another brand and it fit like a T.
Click to expand...

Wow, that's some serious luck, sweet. in the 3 years I ran the department, I had a zero percent success rate. Seriously. No one who bought a door against what I said, or one who measured first ever had a match. I remember a few that were within 1/4" or so, and only took a little chiseling, but I can't remember ever getting a perfect match.

 
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