How Much Does It Cost to Install a Pocket Door? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $800 - $2,500
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.
- Average
- $1,050
- Low end
- $500
- high end
- $4,250
Factors Affecting the Cost to Install a Pocket Door
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.
Pocket Door Cost by Size
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 |
Cost to Install Pocket Door by Material
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 |
Contractor Costs
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.
Additional Pros to Consider Hiring
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.
Structural Engineer for Wall Demolition
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.
Electrical
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.
Plumbing
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.
HVAC
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.
Type of Pocket Door
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 |
New Construction Pocket Door
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.
Existing Wall Pocket Door
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 Door
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.
Cost to Install a Pocket Door Yourself
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.
DIY vs. Hiring a Contractor
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.
Ways to Save Money on Pocket Door Installation Costs
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.
How Angi Gets Its Cost Data
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to costquotes@angi.com. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.