Why front door quotes vary so much
Cost guides and contractor websites quote very different numbers for "a front door," often by thousands of dollars. The gap is mostly scope: a plain steel door in an existing opening is a half-day job, while a fiberglass door with decorative glass, sidelights, a transom and premium hardware is a different project. Our base prices cover a standard single prehung door installed; everything else is an add-on you can switch on.
Front door cost by material
| Door material | Installed price |
|---|---|
| Steel | $400–$2,200 |
| Fiberglass | $800–$2,800 |
| Solid wood | $875–$3,500 |
| Wrought iron | $2,500–$7,000 |
- Steel is the value and security choice. It can dent but needs little maintenance.
- Fiberglass resists dents, warping and moisture and can mimic wood grain; it usually costs more than steel in comparable styles.
- Solid wood is the traditional look but needs refinishing to stay weather-tight.
- Wrought iron is decorative and secure, and the most expensive.
Prehung door or slab?
A prehung door comes already mounted in its frame with the threshold and hinges installed. For exterior doors it's almost always the better choice and often cheaper overall, because fitting a bare slab into an old frame means mortising hinges and aligning strikes on site, with more risk of drafts and leaks if the old frame isn't square.
Options that add to the price
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Sidelights | $200–$1,200 |
| Transom window | $200–$1,200 |
| Smart or multi-point lock | $150–$600 |
| Storm door | $250–$700 |
| Permit (if required) | $0–$100 |
Hidden rot in the jamb or sill is the most common surprise. It can turn a same-day swap into a multi-day repair, so ask how the installer prices it before work starts.
How long it takes
A straightforward steel prehung door in a sound opening typically takes a crew four to six hours. Fiberglass or wood doors with jamb adjustments, sidelights or frame repairs can take a full day or more.
Questions to ask before you hire
- Is this a prehung unit, and does the price include removing and disposing of the old door?
- Are hardware, weatherstripping, painting or staining included?
- How will you price rot repair if you find it?
- Do I need a permit here?
- What's the labor warranty, separate from the door manufacturer's?
Methodology and sources
We price a standard single prehung door by material, adjust the labor share for your state's carpenter wages, and price options separately. Read how we estimate costs.
- UseCalcPro: door replacement cost — material prices, labor share, options
- American Quality Remodeling: front door replacement cost — fiberglass and iron
- Master Seal: front door installation cost — fiberglass, sidelights
- Energy Home Improvements: entry door replacement cost — good/better/best tiers
- One and Done Prep: front door labor cost — install time, permits
- BLS OEWS May 2025, State (SOC 47-2031, Carpenters) — state labor index
What each source reports
Our estimate does not rely on any single page. This table lists each page we used and the figures it reports, so you can see where the ranges come from.
| Source | What it reports |
|---|---|
| UseCalcPro |
|
| Energy Home Improvements | 'good' tier, a solid steel prehung door with minimal upgrades, $1,200-$2,200 installed |
| Master Seal | standard fiberglass entry door $400-$2,800 installed |
| American Quality Remodeling |
|
| One and Done Prep | permits $0-$100 for a basic prehung door replacement; many jurisdictions don't require one for a like-for-like swap |
Common questions about front door replacement costs
How much does front door replacement cost?
A typical job (fiberglass prehung door) comes to about $1,700 nationally, within a range of $800 to $2,800. Use the calculator above to adjust for your state, the options you choose and any extras.
Where do these prices come from?
They come from 5 published cost pages from 5 publishers, last checked Sep 24, 2026. We report what those pages say and do not invent figures; the table above shows each source.
How does my state change the estimate?
The labor part of the price is scaled by the average wage for the relevant trade in your state, using Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Materials and equipment are not adjusted.
Why might a contractor's quote differ from this estimate?
A quote reflects your specific scope, access, local demand and what the contractor includes. Ask for line items rather than a single total so you can compare bids on the same basis.
All 5 sources behind these prices
Every figure in the calculator comes from one or more of these pages, with the number each one supports in the link text.
- UseCalcPro: steel entry doors $400-$1,000 installed
- Energy Home Improvements: 'good' tier, a solid steel prehung door with minimal upgrades, $1,200-$2,200 installed
- Master Seal: standard fiberglass entry door $400-$2,800 installed
- American Quality Remodeling: standard fiberglass models $800-$2,500
- One and Done Prep: permits $0-$100 for a basic prehung door replacement; many jurisdictions don't require one for a like-for-like swap