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It’s usually better to repair damaged interior doors and replace damaged exterior doors, but it depends on the type and extent of the damage. Damage to interior doors won’t threaten your home’s security, so if a repair or partial replacement of only the door (not replacing the door frame) is possible, that route should save you some money. Damage to an exterior door can compromise your home’s security, so it’s often better to replace it entirely, especially if there’s frame damage. You can ask your door installer which course of action is best for your situation.

The average cost to install a door is around $1,100, but you could pay anywhere from $150 for a hollow-core interior door installation up to $2,000 or a high-end exterior door installation. There are a few cost factors to consider to get an accurate price, including whether your wall opening exists, the type of door, the quality and security of the door, whether you need to replace the frame, and the door size. You can expect to pay $150 to $700 for a standard 36-by-80-inch door and between $400 and $1,600 for an 80-by-48-inch door.

If you’re replacing an interior door, it’s best to get the work done in the summer or winter, as door installation professionals are the least busy during these seasons and might charge lower labor costs based on the decreased demand. You can also potentially save money by hiring a professional to install your exterior door during these seasons, but most homeowners wait until the spring or fall so that the extreme temperatures don’t put added strain on their HVAC systems while the door is being added or replaced.

Door installation usually takes three and four hours, including removing the old door and frame, fitting the new door and frame in place, shimming it to make sure it’s perfectly level, and making adjustments to the hinges and locking mechanisms to ensure proper functionality. A door-hanging professional can replace an interior door in between one and two hours. Door installation will take significantly longer if your installer needs to create a wall opening, and it can take less time if the existing door frame remains.

It’s possible to install a door yourself if the wall opening already exists, but the work is rather complicated, and a professional installation is usually well worth the investment. For your door to work and close properly, you’ll need to shim and level the door frame in your wall perfectly, which can be difficult. Additionally, we recommend you always hire a professional door installer to place an exterior door, as mistakes during the installation process can lead to poor security for your home.