Home Services Guidelines and Best Practices
Exterior Door Installation
Exterior Door Installation guidelines, FAQs and unit pricing information
January 2017
Are you looking for independent, trustworthy advice about Exterior Door Installation? Do you need to understand common installation options? If your project calls for Exterior Door Installation work, the following guidelines and best practices will help you understand: Is a subcontractor really necessary for Exterior Door Installation work? Will a permit be required? What are common problem areas? How much will Exterior Door Installation labor cost? What are the important Exterior Door Installation quality checks that should be included in the work requirements?
Exterior Door Installation - Frequently Asked Questions
What is a fair price for Exterior Door Installation? | Costs vary with project size, job quality and time of year. For typical Exterior Door Installation expect to pay between $93.19 to $186.38 per door. Additional fees are typically charged for small projects or rush jobs. |
Is a permit needed for Exterior Door Installation work? | Design approval and permits from your local building authority are usually not required for Exterior Door Installation. If your home is subject to homeowner association covenants, you should verify that the Exterior Door Installation complies with association guidelines. |
Is it worth using a professional to perform Exterior Door Installation work? | The appearance, functionality and useful life of the Exterior door may be compromised by poor installation. Hire the service provider carefully and tie payment milestones to appropriate quality checks (use the list below). |
Is Exterior Door Installation something that I can do myself? | The typical Exterior Door Installation project involves tasks that are best performed by experienced professionals. Good quality Exterior Door Installation requires considerable experience, skill and attention to detail. Do it yourself mistakes are noticeable, may be difficulty to remedy and may actually reduce the market value of the project and your home. |
How many days are typically required to complete the Exterior Door Installation work? | Normally, this work can be completed in 1 day. |
Exterior Door Installation - Options, Quality Checks and Important Details
Use the list below to document your expectations for level of detail and finish quality for Exterior Door Installation. Make sure that relevant information is included in any written contracts or work orders on your project. Before any Exterior Door Installation work begins, review the checklist with the service provider. Tie payments to satisfactory completion of this checklist.
- The layout, location, style and finish appearance of ALL materials used in Exterior Door Installation will be approved by owner, before any work begins
- A detailed Exterior door layout - showing material placement and all joints/seams - will be reviewed and approved before work begins
- There will be a uniform gap of (choose one): __1/16 inch __1/8 inch __other_____ between the exterior door and its Exterior door opening
- Exterior door will be installed so that the Exterior door base/trim is solidly attached and attached completely flush to the mounting surface
- Vertical edges of Exterior door will be plumb to within 1/8 inch in 8 feet
- Each exterior door will open from the side indicated in the project plan; each exterior door will open and close smoothly with light effort and will not bind, rub or squeak
- Each exterior door lockset/latching mechanism will be held immovable by the strikeplate when closed - there will be no "play" of the lockset within the strikeplate
- The Exterior door will be solidly attached and not slide, rock, twist or move when used
- Each exterior door will open and latch closed with light effort
- The Exterior door surface and surface finish will be free of surface defects, irregularities and any physical damage
Exterior Door Installation - Work Milestones and Project Reminders
The following list summarizes work tasks commonly performed during Exterior Door Installation. These tasks help ensure proper completion of the Exterior door work and compliance with common manufacturer and vendor warranty requirements. Make sure that either you or your service provider takes responsibility for each of these tasks. All service provider task responsiblities should be clearly called out in the written contract or work orders.
- Complete written contract, including scope of work, quality checks, warranty, timing and payment terms; ensure that contract is signed before work begins
- Review and approve detailed layout / plan that shows location, orientation and placement of Exterior door, before any work begins
- Select, specify and order Exterior door; verify that type, grade, finish, size, color, any options, and quantity are clearly identified in the order; make sure that delivery date, terms and damage provisions are included in the order
- Manage delivery of Exterior door; verify that delivered model #, grade, finish, size, options, and quantity match the order precisely; thoroughly inspect all items for damage and proper operation; make or authorize final payment only after complete order is delivered
- Store Exterior door in a secure, dry location that is fully protected from the elements prior to installation
- Confirm date (and time) for project start with subcontractor - one week and two days prior to project start
- Carefully remove fixtures, fittings, finish plates, grilles, knobs, pulls and trim that will be reinstalled later; label and safely store these items for later use
- Securely attach flashing and vapor barrier around perimeter of Exterior door
- Install Exterior door using wood screws (finished matched to hinge), in compliance manufacturer recommendations and applicable local building code(s)
- Reinstall pre-existing fixtures, fittings, finish plates, knobs, pulls, grilles and trim
- Inspect Exterior Door Installation and verify that all quality requirements and punch list items are completed correctly
- Submit final payment; pay with a check to ensure expense can be verified for tax purposes