When installing a door in your home, it’s not just the door that you need to worry about. The frame that it fits into can often be more important and the consequences of an improperly installed door frame can cause headaches down the line. 

If you’re getting new doors and frames installed, we’ve gathered some information that might help you. Including:

• Who installs door frames?
• Should I hire a professional to install my door frames?
• How much does door installation cost?
• Does my door frame installer need to be licensed?
• How do I find a door frame installer?
• Getting quotes for door frame installation

Who installs door frames?

Usually, you’ll find that carpenters or specialist door installers will install door frames for you. Many door suppliers will have one of these on staff and they can help you choose your door and frame, perform the installation and clean up afterwards. 

If you are building a new house or having a renovation done, your builder may be able to install your door frames alongside their other responsibilities. If in doubt, it’s a good idea to ask them if this is something they can do.

Should I hire a professional to install my door frames?

It can be tempting to install a door frame yourself but there are many hidden complexities when it comes to door frame installation. There are a lot of reasons to hire a professional for your door frame installation but the bottom line is that it saves you time and money. 

Some of the benefits of professional door frame installation include:

Ensuring the door fits into the frame

It may seem like an obvious one but a door frame that isn’t measured and installed correctly will cause issues when you install the door itself. The last thing you want when you get to that part is to find that your door won’t fit in the frame and you’ll either have to reinstall the frame or get the door resized. 

A professional has the tools and experience to measure and install the frame to the exact specifications it needs. They also have the added benefit of carrying insurance so that should anything go wrong, you aren’t out even more money to fix the issue.  

Ensuring proper insulation 

Doors, like windows, are weak points for your home's insulation. With proper installation and knowledge, your door and frame can add to your home’s insulation. In turn, this can help keep your home cool in summer and warm in winter. Ultimately lowering your energy consumption and reducing some of your energy bills. 

Work is completed quickly, safely and to a high standard

A professional door installer’s whole job revolves around the skills needed for jobs like yours. They have the training and the experience to do it efficiently. This includes performing the job quickly while paying attention to safety guidelines and procedures. All without sacrificing the quality of their work. 

These benefits alone can usually make door frame installation by a professional cheaper and quicker than DIY.

How much does door frame installation cost?

When you are installing or replacing a door frame, more often than not you will also be getting the door itself installed as well. Most quotes you will receive will include the cost of the total installation, meaning both the frame and door together.

In general, you can expect to pay anywhere between $200 - $500 for door frame installation depending on the size and material that is used. You will often find that the cheapest door frame materials are timber while metal and aluminium are more expensive options.

Extra costs may be added if you need an old frame to be removed or the area prepared. 

Does my door frame installer need to be licensed?

Most carpenters will usually need a license for their general work*, but may not need one to work on your door frame.

For instance, in NSW, work that doesn’t exceed $5,000 and doesn’t impact the structural integrity of the building does not necessarily need a licence. 

For jobs that exceed this cost, your carpenter will need a licence to work. Depending on the state or territory this may be a carpentry licence or a builder’s licence. In general, it will be better to hire a tradie with a licence to ensure that they have the correct training and expertise for your job. 

How do I find a door frame installer?

Most door supply companies will have someone on staff who can install your doorframe but you can also contact other door frame specialists or carpenters if you need to. When hiring a door frame installer, it can be a good idea to ask some questions before you agree to anything. 

Some of these questions include:

• How long will the job take?
• Do you have experience with the job?
• Are you licensed to work in my home?
• Are you insured to work on my home?
• Can you provide a written quote? 
• Do you have references I can follow up on?

Getting quotes for door frame installation 

At hipages, we always recommend getting at least three quotes before hiring a carpenter for door frame installation. The cheapest option may not always be the best one and you may find that there are additional costs down the line that can add up. 

Don’t be afraid to ask questions about anything you’re unsure about. You can always ask about the quotes and get an itemised list of what you are paying for. One way to do this is to request a written quote. This will make it easier to compare the quotes you receive and choose the right service for you. 

*Licensing laws differ between each state or territory