Cost of wooden front doors - why so high?

[SwedishEdith]

I'm getting quotes for a wooden 1920s/1930s style front door plus surround at the moment. It's within a porch so is not exposed so doesn't need to be the hardest of hardwood and we'll paint it. The whole frame is not that wide. But the quotes are ranging from £4.5k to £7k.

I presume it's the cost the making of the door that's making it so expensive so am I better off just buying an off-the-shelf hardwood door and getting a joiner to build the surround/add the glass etc? Has anyone done that and was it significantly cheaper?

Yes, cumulatively it's very expensive. If I needed a surround I'd look at getting a decent joiner to build that in situ and then investigate someone like Geleta doors for the door itself.

Oh, had never heard of Geleta doors - thanks.

Buy second hand- loads out here! Or go to architectural salvage yard!

Yes if you are building a new surround as well then you’re in a good position to use a reclaimed one as you’re not trying to match an existing opening. Watch out for warped doors or anything that’s been dipped to strip it.

@gettingolderbutcooler

Buy second hand- loads out here! Or go to architectural salvage yard!

^^This!!

I had all our last house doors stripped ( Victorian 1900 ). I watched as they did them and the paint just seemed to float of them , only a stiff brush was needed on the stubborn bits , was money well spent.

Thanks. We have looked at original doors before but many looked pretty knackered close up. Maybe take a look again when it's possible to do so.

I think the quotes you’ve been getting are really high! I recently had a new wooden front door put in + a surround + a side window for £3k. It took a few weeks to build, so I can see where the money went, but even so, the prices you were given are a bit steep.

We were told that standard size modern doors wouldn’t work for us in the space available. I’m not entirely sure why, but it’s something to be aware off. Probably best to talk to a joiner before ordering a reclaimed or factory made modern door, to make sure there’s not going to be any problems like that

I think your quotes are high. I got a replica made to measure front door.of an old 1920's door in a treated wood (guarantee it won't expand for 50 yrs) with chrome letterbox etc. Inclusive of fitting and professional painting it was £3200. It's amazing quality. I'm not sure where you are but I used these people joinery for all seasons in kent. Incredible service from beginning to end

I've just paid £11k for an oak front door, all the quotes we had were similar I'm afraid.

Thank you @Mrswalliams1 and @Crazzzycat - you give me hope that it shouldn't cost that much. Disappointing about the ready made door. We did get a quote about 5 years ago for about £2.6 (which we put off as thought too high ) and I think the joiner then mentioned the issues with ready made and reclaimed doors. I'm going to contact him again but wanted to get some other quotes to see whether his quote (although I realise it'll be higher now) was fair. Not in Kent, unfortunately.

@froggydoggy

I've just paid £11k for an oak front door, all the quotes we had were similar I'm afraid.

Faints. We don't want oak. Just wood. Really simple but good enough wood that we can paint.

11 grand !!!!!!! Jesus where do you live Buckingham Palace ?

I think the reason is that most people don't regularly buy doors and don't know the correct price. Like replacement windows.

Any trained joiner can make a door, from lumps of wood, within a day, but might spin it out over several evenings after banging in horrible factory-made chipboard in his day job. Door frames are even easier but the components are simple and can be bought ready-made and trimmed to fit.

I happen to live in an area where there is a training college that turns out more joiners than there is work available. Few of them get to use their skills. I've had a gate made, and window repairs in teak (I live in an area where there are boatyards and such oddments can be found).

There is also a small joinery works that makes bespoke doors, windows, gates, corbels and banisters, mostly for people restoring older houses that have been ruined by having their original features ripped out. I suspect the price is tailored to fit the depth of the customer's pocket.

Mine are stained hardwood, which is no longer readily available in the solid, so if I was starting again I might use Accoya, and paint it.

btw a wooden door will last much better if it is protected from the weather by at least an open porch. A hundred years life is then quite usual.

Paint is more durable and forgiving than stain.

I think the reason is that most people don't regularly buy doors and don't know the correct price. Like replacement windows.

So, do you know what price I should be trying to get? Are my quotes too high or am I out of touch?

That's comparable to the quotes we had for solid oak and not the 'engineered wood' which seems to be commonplace.

Love It or List It has just shown a massive luxury "shed"/outdoor workshop that was "only" £7.5k!

For a previous property we bought a salvage front door from a company called Arc Reclamation. They have a great website, but I actually just phoned them and asked if they had something of the size I needed. They were really helpful and knowledgeable, and we had no issues with warping, which was my big fear. They might be worth a look?

Oh, thank you. Yes, they do look good.

We have a hardwood door, it cost less than £400 with the frame. DH painted and fitted it... he is a carpenter. Where are these high prices coming from? Is it the labour costs?

Our door

Look on sites like Freecycle.

Do wood doors not swell up and cause problems opening and closing?

Our wooden back door in the 70s was well painted to protect from the elements but yet was always jamming in the winter.

People often neglect to paint the tops and bottom of doors, which need it most.

A door can be planed to open correctly. Furry pile draft excluder will take up the gap.

But a wooden door lasts longer if it has some protection from weather.