Home Services Guidelines and Best Practices
Sliding Door Installation
Sliding Door Installation guidelines, FAQs and unit pricing information
January 2017
Are you looking for independent, trustworthy advice about Sliding Door Installation? Do you need to understand common installation options? If your project calls for Sliding Door Installation work, the following guidelines and best practices will help you understand: Is a subcontractor really necessary for Sliding Door Installation work? Will a permit be required? What are common problem areas? How much will Sliding Door Installation labor cost? What are the important Sliding Door Installation quality checks that should be included in the work requirements?
Sliding Door Installation - Frequently Asked Questions
| What is a fair price for Sliding Door Installation? | Costs vary with project size, job quality and time of year. For typical Sliding Door Installation expect to pay between $1.08 to $1.58 per unified inch. Additional fees are typically charged for small projects or rush jobs. |
| Is a permit needed for Sliding Door Installation work? | Design approval and permits from your local building authority are usually not required for Sliding Door Installation. If your home is subject to homeowner association covenants, you should verify that the Sliding Door Installation complies with association guidelines. |
| Is it worth using a professional to perform Sliding Door Installation work? | The appearance, functionality and useful life of the sliding 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 Sliding Door Installation something that I can do myself? | The typical Sliding Door Installation project involves tasks that are best performed by experienced professionals. Good quality Sliding 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 Sliding Door Installation work? | Normally, this work can be completed in 1 day. |
Sliding Door Installation - Options, Quality Checks and Important Details
Use the list below to document your expectations for level of detail and finish quality for Sliding Door Installation. Make sure that relevant information is included in any written contracts or work orders on your project. Before any Sliding 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 Sliding Door Installation will be approved by owner, before any work begins
- A detailed storm 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 door frame / hinges and its storm door opening
- Sliding door will be installed so that the storm door base/trim is solidly attached and attached completely flush to the mounting surface
- Horizontal and vertical edges of adjacent sliding door will be aligned to within 1/16 inch
- Vertical edges of sliding door will be plumb to within 1/8 inch in 8 feet
- Each door frame / hinges will open from the side indicated in the project plan; each door frame / hinges will open and close smoothly with light effort and will not bind, rub or squeak
- Each door frame / hinges lockset/latching mechanism will be held immovable by the strikeplate when closed - there will be no "play" of the lockset within the strikeplate
- The sliding door will be solidly attached and not slide, rock, twist or move when used
- Each door frame / hinges will remain open at any position it is placed
- Nail holes will be filled with a suitable putty, leveled and sanded smooth before final finishing, so as to be undetectable through the finished surface
- The storm door surface and surface finish will be free of surface defects, irregularities and any physical damage
Sliding Door Installation - Work Milestones and Project Reminders
The following list summarizes work tasks commonly performed during Sliding Door Installation. These tasks help ensure proper completion of the sliding 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 sliding door, before any work begins
- Select, specify and order sliding 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 sliding 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 sliding 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
- Securely attach flashing and vapor barrier around perimeter of sliding door
- 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
- Secure door frame / hinges to structural framing
- Install trim plates or pieces
- Fill holes, cracks, gaps with compatible patching material; finish patch to match surrounding surface shape, texture and color
- Patch holes, gaps and openings left by the Sliding Door Installation; patch must be flush to the surrounding surface and seamlessly match the texture and color of surrounding surfaces
- Submit final payment; pay with a check to ensure expense can be verified for tax purposes
