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What affects the cost of a front door replacement?
A front door replacement price depends on the door material, whether the frame is replaced too, the glass, the locks, the size and any side panels or fanlight. This page does not print a figure, because we could not find two dated public sources that agree on one.
Last reviewed:What goes into a front door price
A front door does three jobs at once. It keeps the weather out, it keeps the house secure, and it is the first thing people see. For a home in Cheshire, a replacement quote usually covers the door leaf, the frame, any side panels or fanlight above, the glass, the locking system and handles, the threshold, fitting, making good around the frame, and taking the old door away.
QuoteZila is starting in Cheshire, with Crewe, Nantwich and Sandbach among the first towns, and anyone in the UK can post a job. We have not printed a price. We looked for two dated public sources that agree on a figure for a front door replacement and did not find a matching pair, so any number here would be a guess. This guide sets out the decisions that move the total.
Door materials compared
Front doors are usually sold in four broad families:
- Composite. A door made of layers, often with a solid core and a moulded outer skin. Many designs and colours are available.
- uPVC. A plastic-framed door, often with a panel or glass in the middle.
- Timber. Hardwood or softwood, made in a joinery workshop or bought ready-made. Can be painted or stained, and needs looking after.
- Aluminium. A metal-framed door, often chosen for modern houses or wide glazed entrances.
Each has its own lead time, finish and maintenance. If your house is in a conservation area or is listed, the material may be restricted [S1]. Check with the council before you choose.
What changes a front door quote
| What changes | Why it matters | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Door material | Composite, uPVC, timber and aluminium differ in cost and lead time | Which door, which make, and what is its core? |
| Door and frame, or door only | Most replacement doors come as a set with a new frame | Is the frame included, and what is it made of? |
| Side panels and fanlight | Extra glazed or solid panels add size and work | Are the side panels and fanlight included? |
| Glass | Glass in or beside a door may need to be safety glass [S3] | What glass is in the door and panels? |
| Locks and handles | Multi-point locks, cylinders and handles vary | Which locking system and cylinder are fitted? |
| Threshold and access | A low threshold may matter for wheelchairs, pushchairs or older visitors | What threshold height is proposed? |
| Colour and finish | Some colours and dual-colour finishes add lead time | Is the colour standard or made to order? |
| Making good | Plaster, render and the step may be disturbed | What is included inside and outside? |
| VAT | A business must register for VAT when taxable turnover goes over £90,000 [S5] | Is VAT included? |
Two quotes for "a composite front door" can be very different products. The table helps you see which lines each installer has included.
Planning, building regulations and certificates
The Planning Portal says you do not usually need planning permission to insert new windows and doors that are of a similar appearance to those used in the construction of the house [S1]. It says listed buildings need listed building consent for significant works, and that a house in a conservation area, national park or area of outstanding natural beauty may have extra restrictions [S1].
Building regulations still matter. FENSA says its scheme covers the replacement of external windows, doors, roof windows and roof lights, and that its certificate confirms the installation complies with building regulations [S2]. FENSA also says a certificate cannot be given retrospectively [S2]. Ask the installer which competent person scheme they use, and when you will receive the certificate.
GOV.UK: building regulations approval. QuoteZila is not affiliated with this organisation.
GOV.UK has a short page on when building regulations approval is needed.
Security: locks, cylinders and keys
A new door is a chance to improve security. A multi-point lock bolts the door into the frame at several points when the handle is lifted and the key turned. Ask whether the door you are quoted has one. The cylinder, the part the key goes into, is a separate component.
Ask each installer:
- which cylinder is fitted, and whether it is designed to resist snapping
- how many keys come with the door
- whether the letterbox, spy hole and door chain are included
- whether the hinges are adjustable if the door drops over time
If you are only worried about the lock, not the door, a locksmith may be able to upgrade the cylinder or locking system without a new door. The locksmith cost guide explains how locksmith prices are usually set out.
Measuring, lead times and the fitting day
A new front door is often made to measure. The installer surveys the opening, orders the door and frame, and books a fitting date when it arrives. Ask for the lead time in writing, and ask what happens if the door arrives in the wrong colour or size.
On the day, the old door and frame come out, the new set goes in, and the gaps are sealed inside and out. The house is open for part of the day, so plan to be in. Ask how long the fitting usually takes, whether the new door will be fully locking before the fitters leave, and who clears the old door away.
If the opening is not square, or the brickwork around it is damaged, the installer may find extra work once the old frame is out. Ask how they price that, and agree it before they start.
Draughts, weather and the threshold
A front door that lets in draughts or rain is often the reason people start looking. Before you replace it, it helps to know where the problem is. Is the gap at the bottom, at the sides, around the frame, or through the letterbox? A door that has dropped on its hinges, or a worn weather seal, may be fixable without a new door.
If you do replace it, ask how the new door will be sealed:
- the weather seals around the door leaf
- the seal between the frame and the brickwork, inside and out
- the threshold and any drip bar at the bottom
- the letterbox, which can be a draught point on its own
A front door facing the prevailing wind and rain needs a threshold and seals that suit it. Ask the installer what they suggest for your house.
Think about who uses the door. A raised threshold keeps weather out but can be a trip hazard. A low threshold is easier for wheelchairs, pushchairs and anyone unsteady on their feet. Say what matters to you, and ask the installer how they balance the two.
Older houses and period doors
If your house is older, think about whether the door should be repaired rather than replaced. A joiner may be able to refit, draught-proof or rehang an original timber door, fit new ironmongery, or make a replacement that matches the original. In a conservation area or a listed building, the council may expect that approach [S1].
Ask a joiner and a door installer to quote if you are unsure. They will suggest different solutions, and both views can help you decide.
Jobs you might post
These are examples, not taken from real job posts.
- "Old uPVC front door is draughty and the lock is stiff. Looking for a composite door and frame in a similar style."
- "Front door with two glazed side panels to replace. The glass in one panel is cracked."
- "Victorian terraced house in a conservation area. Want to repair or replace the original timber front door."
Give the width and height of the opening if you can measure it, say whether there are side panels or a fanlight, and include photos from inside and outside. Mention any access needs, such as a low threshold.
How to compare front door quotes
Citizens Advice says a quote is a fixed price and an estimate is a guess, suggests written quotes from at least three traders, and suggests not agreeing to a deposit above 25% [S4]. Ask each installer to list:
- The door make, model, material and colour.
- Whether the frame, side panels and fanlight are included.
- The glass specification.
- The locking system and cylinder.
- The threshold.
- Making good and removal of the old door.
- How the installation will be certified.
- Lead time, and whether VAT is included.
Get quotes for a front door replacement
QuoteZila is free for customers and local businesses [QZ1]. Up to five matched local businesses can send you a quote [QZ2].
Honest status: QuoteZila is new. We're starting in Cheshire, beginning with Crewe, Nantwich and Sandbach, and growing area by area. Anyone in the UK can still post a job or register a business. How fast you get quotes depends on how many local businesses have joined near you. Businesses can register and receive jobs straight away. We don't check insurance, qualifications or registrations, so please check these yourself before you hire.
Posting a job is not open yet
See glaziers and joiners for door replacement and repair, and locksmiths for lock upgrades. For the windows, see our new windows cost guide.
Questions about front door replacement prices
How much does a new front door cost?
This page does not print a figure. The door material, whether the frame is replaced, side panels, glass, locks and finishing all change the total. Ask installers for written quotes that name the door, the frame, the glass and the locking system.
Do I need planning permission to replace a front door?
The Planning Portal says you do not usually need planning permission for new doors and windows of a similar appearance to those used when the house was built. A listed building or a conservation area can be different, so ask your council first.
Does a new front door need building regulations approval?
FENSA says its scheme covers the replacement of external doors and that its certificate confirms the installation complies with building regulations. Ask the installer how your door will be certified, and get the paperwork when the job is finished.
Does the glass in a front door need to be safety glass?
The Planning Portal lists glass within a glazed door up to 1500mm from floor level among the critical locations where safety glazing is needed. Ask the installer to confirm the glass in the door and any side panel.
Should I replace the frame as well as the door?
A replacement door may be supplied with its own frame and fitted as one set. Keeping the old frame is possible only if it is square, sound and suits the new door. Ask the installer to explain what they recommend and why.
How much deposit should I pay for a new front door?
Citizens Advice suggests keeping any deposit as low as possible and not agreeing to more than 25%, and getting a receipt. Doors are often made to order, so ask what the deposit covers.
Does QuoteZila check the businesses?
No. We don't check insurance, qualifications or registrations, so please check these yourself before you hire. You can report a quote or a business from your job page.
This page is general information, not professional or legal advice. QuoteZila does not check Gas Safe, WaterSafe, NFRC, NICEIC or other registrations against the register on your behalf: look them up yourself.
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- Lean-To Conservatory Cost: What to Ask. Planning a lean-to conservatory in Cheshire? See what changes the quote, from wall height and roof pitch to the base, glazing and rules on size and separation.
Sources
- QZ1: QuoteZila product fact. QuoteZila home and jobs-for-tradesmen copy.
- QZ2: QuoteZila product fact. QuoteZila FAQ and app README.
- S1: Planning permission: doors and windows, Planning Portal. Accessed 2026-10-25. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/common-projects/doors-and-windows/
- S2: Homeowners, FENSA. Accessed 2026-10-25. https://www.fensa.org.uk/homeowners
- S3: Building regulations: doors and windows, Planning Portal. Accessed 2026-10-25. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/common-projects/doors-and-windows/building-regulations/
- S4: Before you get work done on your home, Citizens Advice. Accessed 2026-10-25. https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/getting-home-improvements-done/before-you-get-building-work-done/
- S5: Register for VAT, GOV.UK. Accessed 2026-10-25. https://www.gov.uk/register-for-vat