How Much Does Door Repair Cost?

Door Repair Cost by Material

The door’s material will usually determine its price. Below are average costs for repairs doors made from a variety of materials:

• Basic hollow-core doors: $75–$250 per door

• Vinyl or aluminum doors: $85–$275 per door

• Solid oak with beveled glass doors: $1,000 and up

• Double and wrought iron doors: $250–$275 per door

• Solid wood or steel doors: $100–$300 per door

• Sidelites and transoms (narrow, vertical side windows): $600 to $2,000

Door Repair Cost by Type of Door

• Front/exterior entry door: $350–$1,050

• Interior door: $350–$650

• Door frame: $350–$850

• Lock replacement: $80–$480

• Door breakdown: $350–$4,000

Front or Exterior Entry Door

You can expect to pay $350 to $1,000 for labor, prep, and materials to repair a front entry door. However, front door repair costs also vary depending on the damage.Exterior entry doors typically have sturdier hardware than interior doors and may be made of reinforced steel or glass. 

This is much less than the expected cost of a new front door, which can cost between $700 and $5,000 or more. Though, there are certainly less expensive front door options should you need to buy one.

Interior Door

Interior doors separate various rooms of a house and can be less costly to repair than an entry door. Pricing depends on the extent of work needed and the material used. Sometimes it makes more sense to opt for a replacement instead because it is usually less expensive.

The cost of repairing an interior door (including plaster, painting, and trim) may range from $350 to $650. The cost of an interior door replacement is around $180 ($100 for the door and a percentage of the total installation cost for labor).

Sliding Door

Sliding door repair costs $50 to $100 on average, making it one of the cheapest and simplest door repairs to complete. Repairs are necessary if your rollers are misaligned, or if the door doesn’t open and close properly. A pro can simply adjust the rollers to realign them with the track.

If the rollers are damaged, cracked, or broken, they’ll need a full replacement. This can cost $75 to $125 and requires the door to be removed from the frame and fit with new rollers before being repositioned in the frame and track. If the track is cracked or damaged, you’ll need to have it replaced for $150 to $300. A full new sliding door costs $1,050 to $7,000.

Door Repair Cost by Type of Repair

Your costs will vary depending on which part of the door you need to have repaired.

Door Frame Repair Cost

Door frames with damage from wood rot, accidents, or wear and tear are fixable. On average, repairs cost between $350 and $850, with higher costs for exterior door frame repairs than for interior ones. Pricing can vary depending on the amount of existing damage, repair materials, and how long it will take.

You'll need to repair or replace the frame before installing a door if there's rot. Extra maintenance costs add to the overall price, depending on the work required. Frame replacement and a pre-hung door with the jamb installed are typically $150 to $250. Reframing a wall can cost $7 to $16 per square foot. Modifying or extending an entryway frame usually costs $7 to $16 per square foot.

Door Jamb Replacement Cost

Fixing a door jamb will involve repairing or replacing the door frame and door jamb. The national average for door installations is $0.60 per opening, ranging from $0.50 to $0.75 depending on what type of door and frame you have installed. The average cost per door of labor and materials is $200 or somewhere between $180 to $300.

Hardware and Lock

Replacing the hardware that goes into a door frame, such as hinges, metal bottoms, and locks, can also add to the overall cost of any repairs. To repair or replace door hardware, you’ll pay about $80 to $480 on average.

Door Handle

Door handle repair costs $50 to $100. This type of repair is needed when a handle gets cracked or jammed and becomes difficult to use. Screws may need tightening, and fittings may need alteration. To fully replace a door handle, you’ll pay $75 to $175 on average. Handles range from simple and inexpensive to elaborate designs that cost more.

Door Window

A damaged window may need to be caulked or have its damaged frame patched. If there are small cracks in the windowpane, these may need to be filled. Expect to pay $75 to $300 to have a door window repaired, as well as a potential separate cost for door or window trim if needed.

Cost to Repair vs. Replace a Door

Door replacement costs vary but are usually more than costs for a simple repair. If the door itself is damaged, but the doorframe is still in good shape, replacement costs will be lower. In this case, a new door slab would replace the existing one.

In other cases, the doorframe, which includes the door jambs and threshold, needs to be redone. If the wall studs have begun to bow and settle out of square, it becomes harder to replace the door and the costs increase. Depending on the severity of your situation, you’ll need to address some or all of these situations. With more repair comes higher door replacement costs.

Taking the time to pick the right door for your climate, home and needs will ensure that you won't incur as many door repair costs in the future. Make sure to do your research and talk to a local handyperson before choosing a new door.

Door Repair Costs Near You

Typical door repair costs vary by location. Here’s what you can expect to pay for door repairs near you:

• Arizona: $150–$350

• California: $125–$330

• Colorado: $110–$260

• Illinois: $115–$315

• Maine: $100–$275

• Nebraska: $115–$260

• North Carolina: $120–$320

• Pennsylvania: $100–$350

Common Door Problems That Require Repair

Because doors have several moving parts, there are a variety of reasons your door might need repairs. Below are some of the most common door problems that require repair.

Sticking and Swelling

This can be a day-to-day annoyance when it's challenging to open or shut the door. A change in temperature or humidity may cause swelling and sticking of the door. This is a relatively easy fix and just requires a little sanding and varnishing.

Sagging Issue

If a door sags under its weight, it can be temporarily alleviated by sanding the upper part. You may need additional repairs to ensure it doesn't happen again. This requires changing the screws from the upper hinge leaf attached to the door jamb to 3-inch decking screws.

Draft in the Frame

A door hung unevenly can cause gaps that allow air to enter your home. The door repair cost for a drafty door depends on whether you decide to install weatherstripping or add a storm door. You can also fit storm doors with a screen for the summer. Both of these will do a great job at cutting down on drafts, and the door repair cost would be less than replacing the whole door.

DIY Door Repair vs. Hiring a Pro

Small repairs, such as adjusting the fit of an interior door with sandpaper or filling in small holes and dents, can be done quickly and inexpensively on your own, usually for under $50.

Major repair is something that even experienced DIYers struggle with. You should consult a local door repair professional for the best results with major repairs, especially if the fix involves the door frame or hardware. Make sure the door swings properly and lines up so there are no gaps. If a door is hung even slightly incorrectly, you could end up with a draft that raises your heating bills.