What Affects the Cost

Door material: uPVC is the most affordable option, with supply-only costs typically starting around £300–£600. Composite doors offer better insulation and security and generally cost £700–£1,500 supply-only. Solid timber doors vary widely depending on wood species and construction, running from £500 to over £2,000 before fitting. See our Doors & Windows Guide for a full breakdown of door types.

Door size and frame: Standard sizes are cheapest. Non-standard or oversized openings require bespoke frames, which can add £200–£600 to the overall cost. If the existing frame is damaged or rotten, it will need replacing entirely — factor in additional labour and materials.

Glazing: A solid door costs less than one with decorative or double-glazed panels. Adding side panels or a fanlight above the door significantly increases both supply and fitting costs.

Hardware and security: Locks, handles, letterboxes, and hinges are often sold separately. A quality multi-point locking system adds £80–£200. If you plan to upgrade your lock independently, see our guide on how to change a door lock.

Labour costs: A tradesman will typically charge £250–£600 for fitting a front door, depending on location, access difficulty, and whether the old door and frame need removing. London and the South East command the highest rates.

Finishing work: Filling gaps around the new frame, repainting, and refitting architrave all add time and cost. Timber surrounds may need attention — our guide to fitting architrave covers the internal finishing step in detail.

UK Average Cost Breakdown

DIY vs Tradesman — Is It Worth It?

Fitting a front door yourself is possible for a confident DIYer with carpentry experience, but it is genuinely one of the more demanding domestic jobs. The door must be plumb, level, and square within its frame — even a small error means draught gaps, a misaligned latch, or a door that won’t close properly. Structural integrity and weatherproofing are non-negotiable on an exterior opening.

The main saving from DIY is on labour: typically £300–£900 depending on complexity and location. However, if the frame needs replacing or the opening is non-standard, mistakes can be costly to rectify. uPVC doors with pre-hung frames are the most forgiving for self-installation. Solid timber doors that need to be hung from scratch require accurate planing and fitting — skills covered in our guide to planing a sticking door.

Where Building Regulations apply — specifically when replacing a thermally non-compliant door — the work may need to be notified to your local authority or carried out by a competent person scheme member. Always check planning and building regulations requirements before starting. For most standard replacements on a like-for-like basis, a tradesman will complete the job in half a day and include a guarantee on their workmanship.

Regional Price Variations

Labour rates for door installation vary noticeably across the UK. In London and the South East, expect to pay at the upper end of quoted ranges — tradesman day rates can be 30–50% higher than in the Midlands, North of England, Scotland, or Wales. A fitting job quoted at £300 in Yorkshire could easily reach £450–£550 in London. Supply costs for the door itself are broadly consistent nationally, though delivery charges for bespoke or heavy composite doors may vary. Always get at least three local quotes to benchmark the rate in your area.

How to Get the Best Price

• Get a minimum of three written quotes from local tradesmen — prices for the same job can vary by several hundred pounds. Use a vetted directory such as Checkatrade or Trustmark to find registered installers.
• Buy the door supply-only and hire a carpenter just for fitting — this gives you control over specification and can reduce overall cost, especially for standard-size openings.
• Avoid ordering in peak periods (spring and early summer) when window and door fitters are busiest. Booking in autumn or winter can result in lower day rates and faster availability.
• Check whether your chosen door supplier includes delivery and disposal of the old door in their price — these are frequently charged as extras.
• If you’re also replacing windows or doing other joinery work at the same time, combine jobs with one tradesman to negotiate a better day rate.

What a Good Quote Should Include

• Full supply cost of the door, frame, and all hardware (locks, hinges, handles, letterbox, threshold bar) — itemised, not bundled.
• Labour cost for removal of the old door and frame, fitting the new unit, and making good around the frame internally and externally.
• Confirmation of whether the work falls under Building Regulations and who is responsible for notification or certification.
• Details of the product warranty (door leaf, frame, glazing units, and hardware are often covered separately) and the tradesman’s workmanship guarantee.
• Clear payment terms, including whether VAT is included — tradesmen earning above the VAT registration threshold must charge VAT, so check whether quoted prices are inclusive.

Hidden Costs to Watch For

• Frame replacement: Many quotes assume a sound existing frame. If the frame is rotten, structurally damaged, or non-standard, replacing it adds £200–£450 to the job — ask your tradesman to inspect and quote for both scenarios upfront.
• Draught proofing and seals: Budget door supplies sometimes omit quality threshold seals and compression strips. Poor sealing leads to draughts and heat loss — see our guide to draught proofing a letterbox for one area that’s frequently overlooked.
• Plastering and redecoration: Removing an old frame often damages the surrounding plaster. Patch repairs and repainting the hallway are common follow-on costs that aren’t included in a door fitting quote.
• Upgraded locks and security hardware: The lock supplied with a budget door may not meet your insurer’s requirements. A Kitemarked multi-point lock and a PAS 24-rated door set will cost more but are often required for home insurance validity — check your policy before purchasing.