Replacing a door frame

Your door frames probably aren't something you think about very often – until they start looking tired. Over time, your internal and external door frames can split or sag, which could cause draughts and therefore increase your energy bills.

So how much should you expect to spend on replacing your door frames? We'll go through how much a new door frame costs in this guide.

How much should I pay to replace a door frame?

How much you should pay to replace a door frame depends on the type of material you choose, whether it's internal or external and where you live in the country. Here are the average costs to expect to replace a door frame:

These costs are UK averages. To get a more accurate idea of how much a carpenter will charge you for labour, take a look at our table further down the page. We've used our large database of rates for our members to get prices for carpenters across the country, so look for your area to see how much you should expect to pay a carpenter for fitting a new door frame.

Other costs to consider when you replace a door frame

Painting and decorating

When you're having a new wooden door frame fitted, you'll need to have it stained or painted. A painter and decorator will charge around £500 to paint or gloss all the woodwork in an average room – that includes skirting boards, coving, window frames and door frames.

It'll be more cost-effective to have all the woodwork in one room or all your door frames painted at one time. A decorator may not come out to paint just one door frame, or they may charge a minimum fee, which could be quite high.

Door locks

Whether you're replacing the door with the door frame or not, you'll need to consider whether your current door lock (if you have one) will still work.

It's possible that your current lock won't work once you've had a new door frame fitted, so you may have to buy a new one. An external door lock for a wooden door could cost between £10-£60.

How long does it take to replace a door frame?

An experienced carpenter should be able to replace a door frame within 2-5 hours.

For an internal door, it should take a carpenter 2-3 hours to fit a new frame, while it could take 4-5 hours to fit a new external door frame.

Cost for a new door and frame

If you want a new door as well as a new door frame, expect to pay much more.

For a new internal door, expect to pay as little as £25 for a basic MDF door up to £600 for a premium hardwood door. According to our members, it costs an average of £70 to hang a door. So the cost for a new internal door and frame will be between £135-£800, depending on the type of door you choose.

If you want a new external door, you could pay anywhere between £250 for a new uPVC front door up to £2,500 for a composite door. Wooden front doors cost between £200-£300. Our members say it costs an average of £200 to fit an external door with a new frame, so you could spend between £400-£2,700 for a new external door and frame.

How are door frames attached?

Door frames are attached using nails or screws. The carpenter will ensure that the fixings are recessed, to stop them from being visible once they've finished fitting the frame.

Once they've fitted the frame, they will use filler to fill any holes that the recessed fixings have left or where the frame and architrave meets the wall. They will then sand down the holes so the frame is ready for painting.

Can you replace just the door frame?

Yes, you can replace just your door frame. We'd certainly recommend hiring a carpenter to replace your door frames for you if you're keeping your current doors. This is because you'll need to ensure that the door still fits in the new frame, which can be tricky.

Every case is different, however – so you'd be best off inviting a few carpenters round to see whether they think they will be able to replace a door frame and keep your original door.

Can a broken door frame be repaired?

A broken door frame can be repaired if it's not too damaged. If you have small dents or scratches in your door frame, you may be able to simply sand down the frame and repaint it to get it looking as good as new.

If your door frame is rotten or there are larger holes in it, you may still be able to repair it. You'll need to remove all of the rotten wood from the frame and then fill the holes with wood filler, then sand it down once it's dry before painting.

A carpenter still might be able to help you repair and restore a door frame – just get in touch with a few professionals to get a good price.

Can you buy a door to fit a frame?

Yes, you can buy a door to fit a frame. This is great news, especially if you don't want to replace your doors yet but you might in the future.

Most doors and frames are set widths, so simply measure your door frame to find out which size door you should buy.

Bear in mind that when your carpenter hangs your door, your home's natural movement may have caused subtle changes in the frame. That means that they might need to plane or trim the door or make adjustments to the frame to ensure your door fits correctly, which could increase the cost.

Now you know how much a new door frame will cost, post your job on HaMuch. We'll put you in touch with trusted carpenters in your area who are ready to help you fit your new door frame.

Estimates for common carpenter and joiner jobs;

Rates for other trades