Sometimes a door just needs a little care to let it shine again. If you have an old door that doesn’t match your new renovation or you’re thinking of replacing a broken door, you might be better served by restoring it instead. 

Read on for more information on door restoration specialists, including:

• What does a door restoration specialist do?
• Signs your door needs to be restored or replaced
• Restoration vs replacement
• How much does door restoration cost?
• How do I find a door restoration specialist?
• Getting quotes for door restoration specialists

What does a door restoration specialist do?

A door restoration specialist does exactly what the name suggests. They restore doors to working order. They can recondition your door with a variety of services including

• Recycling 
• Refurbishing 
• Enhancing and improving the overall quality of your door
• Ensuring the performance, functionality and safety of your door
• Recolouring your door to update the style

Examples of jobs a door restoration specialist may be able to assist you with include:

• Restoring the poor condition of older-style doors with insecure frames
• Stripping and repainting after peeling or fading paint coats
• Repairing unsteady, buckled frames that may have come out of alignment 
• Securing older door locks that are longer efficient and able to perform their original purpose
• Updating door colours that no longer match modern designs elsewhere in the home
• Upgrade, repair or replace door mesh required for home security and privacy

A qualified door restoration specialist can transform old doors into something that will add value and improve the overall appearance of your house at a fraction of the cost of a new door.

Door restoration specialists are often compared to door repairers due to the crossover of their services. In general, door restorers are specialist door repairers. 

Signs your door needs to be repaired or replaced

There are a lot of signs you can look for to find out if your door is damaged and needs to be either restored or replaced. Some of the more obvious signs include:

• Dents 
• Cracks
• Broken glass panes
• Sagging 
• Swelling 
• Rusty or broken hinges

Other signs will be less obvious. Rot is a particular issue with wooden doors and it can be hard to spot. Luckily, there are a few signs you can look for:

• Peeling paint
• Soft wood or wood not feeling as strong as it was 
• Drafts
• Warping 

If the rot hasn’t spread, a restorer may be able to cut out the rotted section from the door and patch it. 

Door restoration vs replacement

Restoring a door will usually be cheaper than replacement which is why many people choose to use a door restoration specialist rather than getting their door replaced. The choice usually comes down to a couple of factors. 

The damage: If a hinge is broken, a new coat of coat is needed or a lock is busted, you probably don’t need to replace the whole door. However, some issues, like extensive rot in your wooden door, become large enough that a replacement is necessary. 

Your budget: In general, door restoration will cost a fraction of what a door replacement or new door installation will cost. More often than not, if the door is salvageable, then it will be much cheaper to have it restored rather than replaced. 

The door itself: Different materials and styles of doors can be harder or more complicated to work with. This can drive up the price of restoration and, if you aren’t particularly attached to the door, can make replacement more appealing. 

How much does door restoration cost?

A restorer will take several factors into account when they give you a quote for door restoration. This can include:

• The number of doors being restored 
• The extent of the damage
• The complexity of the restoration
• The materials needed 
• The size of the door
• Any special requirements and care. For instance, restoring a heritage or historical door

Most door restoration specialists will charge by the hour and you can expect to pay anywhere from $45-60 or more per hour. Some specialists will charge a call-out fee for small jobs. 

In general, expect to pay anywhere around:

• Up to $200 for a small restoration 
• $200 - $500 for mid-range restorations like adjusting sagging doors, repairing door latches or restoring exterior door jams
• $500 or more for complex jobs including repairing stained glass, refinishing hardwood entryways, repairing broken carvings

Prices are estimates and will change depending on your state and tradie. Many door restoration specialists can provide obligation-free quotes on request. 

How do I find a door restoration specialist?

Before you hire a door restoration specialist it can be a good idea to ask them some questions to make sure that you get the right service for your needs. Some of these questions include:

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

Getting quotes for a door restoration specialist

At hipages, we always recommend getting at least three quotes before hiring a tradie. 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.