Cost of patio doors

[NotGoodNotBad]

Got a quote today for sliding or French patio doors - seemed astronomical to me. Came in at around 4-5k all-in depending which we choose, including enlarging the opening, getting a building warrant, if we have French doors we need to redo the step outside to the same height as inside...

Will get some more quotes, meanwhile, what did you pay for yours?

(Looking at small widths btw, say around 1m for French and 1m 600 for sliding.)

[LittleFrieda]

Hmm. What are the patio doors going to be made of? Timber? Alluminium, uPVC? I would guess £1,300 for one metre width alluminium patio doors (with no alterations to the opening) incl fitting and £300 to alter the step.

[NotGoodNotBad]

Gold!

Seriously, uPVC. Cost includes nearly 1150 to enlarge the opening and put in a new lintel, 770 for the step (he suggested some of this could be done cheaper by a builder if we wanted to keep costs down, perhaps 700 for a cheaper builder to do the opening - could do the step ourselves come to that). Not sure how much for the building warrant (had no idea till today we'd even need a building warrant!)

[applesandbears]

Wow that is a lot!!! My DH said he would charge 2500 - 3k max. Where abouts are you and why exactly do you need a building warrant? I would get atleast 4 other quotes.

[NotGoodNotBad]

I'm in Scotland. Council website says "Almost all new building work including building a house extension or installing a new rooflight in an attic through to altering commercial buildings or erecting new buildings needs the granting of a Building Warrant before work starts and the acceptance of a Completion Certificate when work is completed to ensure that it is safe to use and fit for its purpose. " I guess it's because we would need to enlarge the opening?

Confused - not even sure what I want! I was thinking sliding doors are a bit naff, but they would give us more space as they disappear when open IYSWIM. French doors require the step-thingy and would be a bit in the way on our patio.

[NotGoodNotBad]

Thanks for the comments.

Had an estimate today (without site visit) of 3k.

Still don't know what I want though - sliding doors more practical but more ugly.

[propertyNIGHTmareBEFOREXMAS]

Places like Wickes sell patio doors cheaply. You could source them yourself and just pay a builder to put them in.

[NotGoodNotBad]

Yes - though we still need I think surveyor's/engineer's report, building warrant, big hole smashed through wall and new lintel, possible exterior step. Building work may come in cheaper that way though.

BTW has anyone seen such a thing as semi-glazed sliding patio doors (i.e. with a solid lower panel). I feel such a thing would be more in keeping with the house but haven't found any on google yet.

[BonzoDooDah]

we've just had sliding doors replaced. Whole width is about 2.5m and floor to low ceiling height. One sliding door light oak outside £1550. I'm very impressed with the new doors after 5 year of shite ones and the amount of glass is brilliant as the central pillars overlap.

[ILikeBirds]

We had a window replaced with the same width (1.8m) french doors last year.

Cost £895 for fitting and building regs, we had other work done at the same time though so already had a skip so didn't need to pay to get rid of the rubble.

Highest quote we had for the same job was £1800.

[HeavenlyAmy]

Some companies have doors which have been returned to them (and windows) due to incorrect measuring etc. If you are starting from scratch, you could buy some of these at a knockdown price, and work around the actual measurements. Worth a try.

[NotGoodNotBad]

I'm thinking the work is going to be more significant than the cost of the door, but we shall see.

Getting a quote for a wooden one next weekend, I'm not convinced uPVC will look right on our house. Also planning to go round the neighbours that I know have patio/French doors and have a nosey - when it's not raining, snowing, freezing or dark!

[hazelnut123]

I have seen sliding french patio doors on the USA Houzz website
www.houzz.com/photos/modern/french-patio-doors-

Does anybody know where you can obtain sliding french uvpc patio doors in the UK??

[arlenelm]

That is too expensive a quote for patio sliding doors. Surely you must get quotes from two to four other places as well. When we had our doors placed, it was around half of this price. It is good you chose upvc or vinyl patio doors. They are better durable and energy efficient. Sliding doors are definitely good for natural lighting and saving interior space. Nice selection, but look for a much cheaper option available. Patio doors are said to be of low maintenance cost. But too much price like this is not exactly worth it.