Door Installation & Repair in California

In many countries, yes in specific spots — typically between an attached garage and the house, and in multi-storey or rental configurations. Fire doors must be fitted with the right frame, seals, closers and gaps to actually work, so use an installer who knows the local requirement rather than treating it as just another door.

A solid-core or engineered door, a quality deadlock or multipoint lock, reinforced strike plates with long screws into the stud, and hinge-side protection. Ask for locks meeting your country's recognized security standard — insurers often specify them and it's the cheapest discount you'll ever earn.

Houses move and hinges wear: the classic faults are a sagging hinge, a swollen door in humid seasons, or a latch misaligned with its strike plate. All are quick fixes for a carpenter. A door that suddenly sticks along with wall cracks can signal settlement worth a builder's look.

The door-set spec (material, glazing, security rating), removal and disposal of the old door, fitting and sealing, threshold work, all hardware including the lock cylinder, and making good of trims both sides. Cheap quotes commonly exclude hardware and making-good — ask.

Hanging an interior door in an existing frame is a half-day carpentry job at the low end. Exterior doors cost several times more: the slab or door-set is pricier, and fitting involves weather sealing, security hardware and often frame work. Sliding, French and bifold sets are priced per opening and sit at the top.

Interior prehung installs typically run $150-450 labour; exterior entry door replacement lands $500-2,000+ installed depending on the door, and sliding patio door sets $1,000-3,500. Hardware and disposal push totals up — get them itemized.