Best Door Installation Companies

Installing new doors or replacing old ones in your home is an important project that requires skilled craftsmanship to ensure it is done properly. Choosing the best door installation company for the job will guarantee high-quality workmanship and long-lasting results. Here is an in-depth look at how to find and select the top door installation professionals in your area.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Door Installation Company

There are several key factors to evaluate when researching and comparing door installation companies to find the right one for your project:

Experience and Expertise

Look for an established company that has been installing doors for many years. They should have extensive experience with all types of interior and exterior doors, including entry doors, patio doors, garage doors, storm doors, security doors, French doors, and more. Experienced technicians will know all the proper techniques for a secure and seamless installation.

Quality of Workmanship

Inspect previous door installation projects the company has completed and read customer reviews. This will give you an idea of the quality of their work. Look for evidence of high attention to detail, clean and precise cuts, secure weather sealing, and overall durability. Poor workmanship can lead to drafts, leaks, or an unattractive finished product.

Licensed and Insured

Always verify the company has all the proper licenses and carries general liability insurance as well as workers’ compensation coverage. This protects you from liability in the event of an accident or injury during the installation. Unlicensed or uninsured companies are risky to hire.

Range of Services

Look for a company that provides a full range of door installation and replacement services. They should be able to remove old doors, modify frames if needed, properly install new doors, adjust hinges and hardware, weather strip exterior doors, and handle any specialized door such as sliding or French doors.

Customer Service

Choose a company that is responsive in answering questions, providing quotes, scheduling appointments, and handling any issues promptly. Good communication before, during, and after the door installation is essential.

How to Find the Best Door Installation Companies

Use these tips to locate quality door installation professionals in your local area:

Ask for referrals from friends, neighbors, or relatives who have used a door company they were happy with. This can quickly point you to reputable professionals.
Look online for door installation companies in your city or zip code. Reviews from past customers can help narrow down the options.
Check with the Better Business Bureau to see if a company is accredited or if there are any complaints on file. Good standing with the BBB is a positive sign.
Compare multiple bids after meeting with contractors and having them assess your project in-person. Don’t just go with the lowest price, but the best value based on expertise, workmanship guarantees, and overall service.
Verify required licenses with your state licensing board to ensure validity and current status.
Ask about warranties on labor and materials to protect against any manufacturing or installation defects.

Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Door Installation Company

Once you’ve identified a few quality contractors, ask these key questions before making a final hiring decision:

How long have you been installing doors? Look for 5+ years of experience.
Are you licensed, bonded, and insured? Verify all credentials.
Can I see examples of doors you’ve installed and speak with past customers? Assess their previous work.
What brands and types of doors do you recommend and why? Look for expertise.
Do you offer a warranty on labor and materials? Warranties protect against defects.
Will you remove and dispose of old doors and materials? Confirm disposal services.
How will you ensure a proper fit, sealing, and installation for exterior doors? Look for weatherproofing knowledge.
Can you install specialized doors like French doors or patio sliders? Verify they have expertise beyond standard entry doors.
Do you pull required permits for each job? Permits are mandatory for many municipalities.

Getting detailed answers to these questions will help you select the right door installation pro for the job.

Red Flags to Watch Out For

When evaluating door installation companies, look out for these red flags as signs to steer clear:

No business license, insurance, or bond. This puts you at risk.
Vague about how long they’ve been installing doors. Look for 5+ years of clear experience.
No examples of past work or references provided. This makes it hard to verify quality.
Bids and pricing seem drastically low. Lowball bids may signal cut corners or shoddy workmanship.
Pushy sales tactics or high-pressure bids. Professional contractors allow you time to make decisions.
Won’t provide a written contract or warranty. Verbal promises often don’t protect you down the road.
No attention to safety protocols or protective equipment. Hiring a company that disregards basic safety is dangerous.
Bad reviews and unresolved complaints with the BBB. Monitor this warning sign.
No permanent business location. Working with fly-by-night operators is risky.

Trust your instincts and bypass any door installation companies that display these red flags or make you uncomfortable. There are plenty of reputable professionals to choose from.

Key Services a Professional Door Installation Company Provides

When you hire an experienced door installation contractor, these are some of the key services you can expect:

Door Removal

They will remove any old, existing doors safely and dispose of them properly. This includes detaching the doors from hinges and frames and repairing any remaining holes or damage to surfaces.

Frame Inspection and Modifications

Your door frames will be inspected and measured to identify any necessary adjustments to ensure a proper fit for the new doors. This may involve widening the jambs, deepening the frame for a thicker door, or shaving down an area for clearance.

Field Measurements

Precision field measurements will be taken to order doors and jambs modified to an exact custom fit for each opening in your home.

Door Installation and Adjustments

Doors will be installed plumb and square using shims and anchors. Hinges, sweeps, and weatherstripping will be adjusted so the door operates smoothly.

Hardware Installation

New handlesets, locksets, and other hardware you provide will be professionally installed on each door. This includes adjusting pieces for proper alignment.

Finishing Details

Finishing touches like silicone caulk for exterior doors, door stops, and sealing trim or molding will ensure your doors have a seamless finished look.

Permit Procurement

The company will pull all required permits for door installations in your local municipality and pass along all final inspections.

When hiring a professional door installation company, you can feel at ease knowing these critical steps will be handled expertly.

Cost Factors for Door Installation Projects

Several factors determine the total costs for installing new doors or replacing old ones in your home:

Number of doors – Labor and material costs multiply with each additional door you need installed.
Custom or standard sized doors – Non-standard sized doors cost more than typical pre-hung door units.
Material – Solid wood doors are more expensive than steel or fiberglass. Thicker doors also cost more.
Type of door – Simple interior doors are the lowest cost while specialty doors like French doors run higher.
Accessibility – Doors requiring scaffolding or other equipment to access increase costs.
Modifications – Frame widening, re-trimming, repairing drywall, or other modifications add labor fees.
Location – There are regional differences in hourly rates which impacts total costs.
Disposal fees – Removing and disposing old doors responsibly also adds to costs.

On average, interior door installation costs $175-$500 per door while exterior door installation ranges from $500-$1,500 per door. Get an itemized, written quote from door installation companies to compare fairly.

Tips for Preparing for a Door Installation Project

Follow these tips to ensure you are fully ready for the installation appointment:

Measure all existing door frames carefully to provide accurate measurements for ordering replacement doors. Include width, height, and thickness.
Select all new doors and hardware ahead of time so items can be ordered and ready in time for the installation date.
Remove all furniture, curtains, rugs, and other items from around doorways so technicians have full access.
Plan where old doors and materials will be stored during the project until they can be disposed of.
Keep pets away from work areas for their safety and to avoid escape.
Let the company know about any leaks, previous damage, or other issues with existing frames so they can prepare accordingly.
Have a contingency plan in case install takes longer than expected and you need to stay elsewhere overnight.

Advance planning and preparation makes for a smooth door installation process from start to finish.

What to Expect During the Door Installation Process

Professional door installation involves careful demolition, precise new door fitting, adjustments for operation, sealing, and finishing. Here is a general overview of the full process:

The old door and frame are removed completely and opening is prepped.
Frame is checked for level and plumbed if needed. Rotted or damaged wood is repaired.
Jamb extensions are added if existing frame is too narrow for new door.
New door is set into place and shimmed to ensure it is secure, square, and operates smoothly.
Hinges are screwed into jambs and door is hung properly, adjusted, and tested for fit.
Weatherstripping, door sweep, and threshold are installed to seal exterior doors.
Knob sets, deadbolts, and other hardware are installed and aligned.
Trim, stops, and caulking are added to hide gaps and give a finished look.
Operation is confirmed and adjustments made to ensure proper closing, latching, and locking.
Work area is cleaned up and door operation explained to homeowner.

The process will vary slightly depending on the door type but should proceed systematically as outlined above. Watching for quality workmanship throughout the process is key.

How to Care for Doors After Installation

Once your door installation project is complete, follow these tips for ongoing care and maintenance:

Allow any caulk or adhesive to fully cure for 24-48 hours before heavy use of the doors.
Use new doors gently at first – slamming can sometimes loosen components after install.
Inspect weatherstripping routinely to ensure exterior sealing is intact. Replace strips if worn or damaged.
Lubricate hinges and lock components with silicone spray every 6-12 months to prevent sticking and squeaks.
Check for any signs of sticking, drafty gaps, or hardware issues and have adjusted promptly. Don’t let small issues progress.
Refrain from hanging or attaching anything too heavy directly onto doors that can cause sagging or damage.
Use cleaners and polishes safe for the door’s material type and avoid over-wetting wood doors.
Touch up any nicks or scratches in painted doors right away to avoid moisture damage.

Proper care and maintenance will ensure your newly installed doors function smoothly and keep your home secure for many years to come. Contact a professional door company at the first sign of any issues.

Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Doors

Many homeowners don’t think about their doors until a problem arises, but knowing when it’s time for replacement can prevent larger headaches. Here are key signs your doors need to be replaced:

Frequent sticking or rubbing – Doors should open and close smoothly. Chronic sticking can indicate sagging, swelling, or misalignment.
Poor weatherproofing – Drafts, water leakage, or noticeable air exchange means weatherstripping has failed and exterior doors need replacing.
Locks or hardware failing – Sticking locks, loose knobs, or malfunctioning mechanisms signify a full door replacement is needed.
Surface damage – Deep gouges, cracked glass, or chipped paint that has exposed door material to moisture reveals replacement is required.
Security concerns – Outdated or malfunctioning locks on exterior doors can present safety risks and warrant replacement.
High energy bills – If you notice spikes in utilities costs, heat or AC escaping through doors could be a culprit meaning new efficient doors are needed.
Age over 20 years – Once doors are older than 20 years, preventative replacement helps avoid functional failure down the road.

Periodically inspecting doors and looking for these warning signs will tip you off to when replacement should happen before further deterioration occurs. Contact door installation pros at the first signs of trouble.

FAQs About Door Installation

What is the easiest door to install?

Pre-hung interior doors are the easiest and most forgiving for DIY installs. Exterior doors or specialized doors like pocket or bifold doors often require professional expertise.

How much does it cost to install an interior door?

Installing an interior pre-hung door costs $175-$300 on average which includes labor and materials. Custom interior doors run $500 to $700+ installed.

Can I install a door in an existing frame?

Sometimes you can install a door in an existing frame, but the frame must be in excellent condition, square, level, and sized precisely for the new door’s dimensions. Any issues are better addressed through full replacement.

How long does it take to install an interior door?

A typical interior door installation takes 2-3 hours for an experienced carpenter or technician. DIY installs can take 4 hours or longer. Exterior doors tend to take longer.

What tools do I need to install a door?

Basic tools include a drill, screwdriver, tape measure, level, shims, hammer, chisel, pry bar, utility knife, nails, wood putty, sandpaper, and protective gear like gloves and eye wear.

Should I tip my door installers?

Tip for door installation is not mandatory but a nice gesture of thanks for exceptional service. 10-20% of the total labor cost is an appropriate tip amount if you choose to provide one.

Hiring professional door installation services instead of DIYing the project is highly recommended. Skilled technicians have the expertise to complete the job efficiently, properly, and provide warranties on labor and materials for protection. Contact reputable door installation companies in your area for quotes.

Conclusion

Installing high-quality, durable doors that operate smoothly is a project best left to professional installation technicians. By selecting an experienced door company that offers expertise across many door types, provides quality craftsmanship, and follows safety protocols, you can feel confident your new or replacement doors will enhance your home functionally and aesthetically for years to come. Use the guidance above to find the perfect door installation company for your upcoming project.