What Does a New Exterior Door Cost?
Exterior door replacement costs $700 to $5,000 installed, with the wide range driven primarily by door material, style, and hardware. Most standard entry door replacements fall in the $800 to $2,500 range for door plus installation labor, and a standard steel entry door replacement (removing the old door and jambs and installing a new unit with interior and exterior casing) averages about $2,400. No installed exterior door job realistically lands under about $700, because installation labor alone runs $650 to $1,378 for a single entry door before the cost of the door unit itself.
Basic Steel Entry Door: $700 to $1,500 Installed
A standard pre-hung steel entry door with basic insulation, standard lockset, and simple design costs $700 to $1,500 installed when the existing frame stays in place. A full replacement that also removes the old jambs and installs new interior and exterior casing runs closer to $2,400. Steel doors are the most economical and most durable option for security and weather resistance. They dent (unlike fiberglass) and can rust in coastal environments but hold up exceptionally well in most climates with minimal maintenance. This is the most common replacement for a standard 36-inch front or back entry door. (For more on this, see What Affects the Cost of Window and Door Replacement?.)
Fiberglass Entry Door: $1,000 to $3,000 Installed
Fiberglass doors are available in smooth or wood-grain finishes and can be stained or painted. They resist denting, warping, and corrosion, making them ideal for coastal, high-moisture, or high-traffic applications. Mid-grade fiberglass entry doors with standard glass and hardware run $1,000 to $2,000 installed; premium fiberglass with decorative glass, high-end hardware, and complex design runs $2,000 to $3,000 installed. In homes built before 1978, the EPA’s Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting rule requires anyone paid to disturb painted surfaces to be certified in lead-safe practices.
Wood Entry Door: $1,000 to $5,000 Installed
Solid wood doors (mahogany, cherry, oak, fir) provide the highest-end aesthetic and are fully paintable or stainable. They require more maintenance than steel or fiberglass (refinishing every 5 to 10 years) and are susceptible to warping in climates with significant humidity swings. Custom or solid hardwood doors with custom hardware and sidelights run $2,500 to $5,000 installed. Factory-built wood doors in standard sizes run $1,000 to $2,000 installed.
Windows and Doors Cost at a Glance
Replacement window: $400 to $2,500 each installed, varying by type, size, and glass.
Exterior door: $700 to $5,000 from basic steel to premium wood and custom designs.
Energy-efficient or custom features: Added cost for double glazing, Low-E coatings, and custom shapes.
Overall range: $400 to $5,000 per unit, averaging $2,200.
Planning Your Project Budget
The cost ranges in this article are based on industry data and are intended as planning benchmarks, not fixed prices. The actual cost for your project depends on your specific home, your local labor market, the current price of materials, and the scope the contractor confirms after a site inspection.
Always get at least two written quotes on equivalent defined scope before committing to any home services project. Wide price variation between quotes usually reflects differences in material quality, scope completeness (what is included and what is not), or contractor overhead and experience level rather than simple price competition.
Use the cost data in this article to ask better questions during the quoting process: What material is included? What does that per-square-foot or per-linear-foot rate include and exclude? Are permits, cleanup, and disposal included? What is the warranty on labor? These questions turn a quote into a comparable basis for decision-making. (For more on this, see Questions to Ask Before Replacing Your Windows.)
Working With a Contractor on This Project
Getting the right outcome on any home services project starts before the work begins. A few consistent practices make the difference between a smooth project and a frustrating one.
Get at least two or three quotes. A single quote gives you no basis for comparison. Two or three quotes reveal the market rate for the work, expose scope differences between bidders, and let you assess contractor communication quality before any commitment is made. The lowest bid is not automatically the best value if the scope is thin or the materials are underspecified.
Ask for licenses and insurance before work starts. Verify current general liability insurance and, for any work involving workers on your property, workers compensation coverage. Licensing requirements vary by state and trade; confirm the specific requirements in your jurisdiction. A licensed contractor who carries appropriate insurance protects both parties if something goes wrong during the project.
Get the scope in writing. A written proposal that specifies materials, labor scope, timeline, what is included (permits, cleanup, disposal), and warranty terms is the foundation of a professional engagement. Verbal agreements on any of these points invite misunderstanding. For any project over $500, written scope is non-negotiable.
Clarify the payment schedule upfront. A reasonable payment schedule ties major payments to project milestones: a deposit at signing, a payment at material delivery or project start, and a final payment at completion after a walkthrough confirms satisfaction. A contractor who requires full payment upfront before work begins is a red flag in any trade.
Cost figures on this page were checked against published pricing on September 2, 2026. How we source cost data.
