Most homeowners will pay around $1,050 to install a pocket door, but the cost can jump to as much as $4,250, depending on materials, the size of the door, and if any demolition is required.
Pocket doors can help you preserve precious square footage while enhancing your home with an interesting design element. It costs an average of $1,050 to install a pocket door, but prices typically range from $800 to $2,500. The cost to install a pocket door comes down to factors such as whether you're installing the door during a remodeling project or a new home build.
So, what is a pocket door? A pocket door slides into an adjacent wall instead of swinging outward. Just like any type of door, you have your pick of stylistic choices, sizes, materials, and construction options. Pocket doors also require more extensive alterations to the surrounding wall, looping in demolition, electrical, plumbing, and even HVAC costs.
Door installation costs commonly come down to the size of the door, particularly when a large door and door frame alter the structure of a room. Standard door sizes apply to pocket doors just as they do with any design, ranging from 24 to 36 inches wide and 80 inches high. That being said, you'll find custom-made wide pocket doors as well, such as when separating large living areas or a wide closet opening. Here's what to expect from pocket door costs by size.
| Pocket Door Width (Inches) | Cost for Retrofit | Cost for New Construction |
|---|---|---|
| 32 | $450–$1,500 | $1,350–$2,200 |
| 34 | $500–$1,600 | $1,400–$2,800 |
| 36 | $550–$1,850 | $1,550–$2,950 |
| 46 | $600–$1,900 | $1,600–$3,100 |
| 48 | $700–$2,800 | $1,600–$3,800 |
| 60 | $800–$3,300 | $1,700–$4,200 |
You have your pick of everything from budget-friendly pocket door materials to eye-catching additions, such as glass or aluminum panels. You have more flexibility when replacing an interior door since you don’t have to worry as much about security, insulation, and changes in the weather.
Pocket doors, however, are still lightweight and sturdy, and they serve a practical purpose between two rooms. Here are some pocket door prices to consider, based on the door panel you choose.
| Material | Cost (Materials and Installation) |
|---|---|
| Solid Wood | $600–$2,200 |
| Hollow Core | $500–$800 |
| Glass | $550–$2,200 |
| Fiberglass | $600–$1,000 |
| Aluminum | $600–$2,200 |
| Chalkboard | $500–$2,200 |
If you hire a local general contractor to install a pocket door, you'll need to pay labor costs. Labor costs usually range from $350 to $600 for a six-hour installation, but if your project requires extensive demolition, electrical, and/or plumbing work, your costs can reach much higher.
If you’re retrofitting a pocket door into an existing wall, there may be a few other contractors you’ll need to help with the project.
Installing a pocket door requires contractors to open and clear a portion of the wall to build the pocket itself. The cost of wall demolition for pocket door installation ranges between $1,200 and $2,500. A large portion of these costs goes toward labor.
It's crucial to check with a local structural engineer before you start the project to ensure that you’re not disrupting a load-bearing wall. Walls that contain wiring, plumbing, and HVAC are not ideal for pocket doors but are an option when working with a professional. If you're considering DIYing the job, or if your contractor deems the wall untenable for a pocket door, consider installing a barn door over a pocket door for a similar effect.
Finding wiring behind the drywall for a pocket door is not exactly a red light, but you will need to hire an electrician. The cost of an electrician ranges between $50 and $100 an hour, plus the cost of materials. Rewiring an area of your home, for example, costs about $6 per linear foot.
Quite similarly, you'll have to call a plumber to handle any pipes or gas lines in the way of your pocket door installation. Since the cost of replacing pipes can get quite hefty—an average of $1,245—this could determine whether this is the right spot for a pocket door or whether a pocket door alternative is best.
Moving a radiator or air ducts can also add significant construction costs to this otherwise straightforward project. In some cases, a trained contractor will be able to work around major hardware without disruption. However, air duct replacement costs between $270 and $550 per air duct and an extra $300 to $500 for the cost to replace a baseboard heater.
If you're installing a pocket door while building a new home, you can expect to pay less than you would during a remodeling project.
| Type | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| New Construction | $500–$1,000 |
| Retrofit | $2,000–$6,000 |
| French Doors (new construction) | $735–$1830 |
| French Doors (retrofit) | $2,500–$7,000 |
It's cheaper to install a pocket door when constructing a new home rather than during a remodel. That's because adding a pocket door to an existing wall usually requires demolishing a wall and potentially rearranging plumbing and electrical work. But if you install a pocket door during a new build, you can plan your build around the door. It costs $500 to $1,000 to install a pocket door during new home construction projects.
The cost to install a pocket door in an existing wall during a remodeling project ranges from $2,000 to $6,000 or more. The price will vary quite a bit depending on your project's complexity, but it typically includes wall demolition, as well as any plumbing and electrical work you may need. You might also need HVAC, mold removal, and/or waste removal services, which further increase costs.
French pocket doors feature two doors, usually composed of glass windows. The glass makes these doors heavier and more fragile to install, driving up installation costs. You can expect to pay around $735 to $1,830 to install French doors during new construction. If you install them during a remodeling project, you're looking at $2,500 to $7,000 or more.
You can save money on a pocket door installation by doing the work yourself since you will only need to pay for the materials. However, some pocket door installation projects are much more difficult than others.
For a six-hour pocket door installation, you can expect to pay around $350 to $575 in labor costs. Deciding to DIY this project means you can save money on those costs. However, some pocket door installations require extensive demolition, plumbing, and electrical work. This is especially true when installing a pocket door during a remodeling project rather than a new build. If you're not comfortable with the construction involved, we recommend hiring a local pro to help.
If the cost of installing a pocket door snuck up on you, there are ways to keep your budget to a minimum. Whether this is a DIY project or not, there are plenty of simple ways to lower your bottom line.
Install the pocket door with other projects, such as during a renovation.
Speak with at least three contractors and compare prices.
Keep a flexible schedule to take advantage of holiday and seasonal sales.
Opt for a hollow-core door to keep material costs low.
Opt for a wall that does not contain wiring, plumbing, or HVAC hardware.
Repurpose an existing door slab by changing out the hardware placement.
DIY small details of the project, such as replacing and painting the drywall.
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You can install a pocket door in an existing wall in many scenarios. Construction only becomes more complicated if the wall is load-bearing or contains HVAC, plumbing, or electrical hardware. However, many homeowners choose to install pocket doors into existing walls when it will enhance the design of the room.
Installing a pocket door can take anywhere from 6 to 12 hours, plus the time for the paint to dry. The project could take up to a couple of days if a professional also needs to move plumbing or HVAC vents from the wall.
Pocket and standard doors are similar in price, but pocket doors cost more to install than standard doors. Professionals usually charge around $150 to $200 to hang a standard door. But if you're installing a pocket door on an existing wall, you'll likely pay between $1,000 and $3,500.
While a pocket door can be a smart decision to add privacy in a small space, it most likely won’t increase home value. Pocket doors can sometimes be difficult to maintain, and they can pose a challenge to those with mobility issues. But generally speaking, adding an interior door where privacy is needed will be a benefit to homebuyers.
Removing a pocket door essentially involves building a new wall, which costs between $1,000 and $3,200. Depending on your unique project, you might need to add waste removal, plumbing, mold remediation, or electrical services, which can further drive up costs.
