How Much Does Door Installation Cost in Chicago? [2026 Data]

Installing a new door in Chicago costs $1,303 on average, with most projects costing $558 to $2,118, depending on the type of door, the material, the size, and any framing and hardware needs. Because of the city’s harsh winters, the door material you choose could lead to a better return on your project investment if you choose energy-efficient options. In Chicago, permit costs for replacing doors in historical homes or altering the door frame will add to the project total.

Door Installation Cost Factors 

Door installation costs in Chicago, IL, will depend on several project specifics, such as the type, size, and material of the door. Other factors, like alterations to the door frame and jamb and whether you’re adding an interior or exterior door, can also influence the project total.

Cost of Door Installation by Style 

The door style is perhaps one of the largest factors determining your overall door installation costs. Standard single and interior doors are budget-friendly, but you’ll have to splurge on specialty exterior doors. Here’s what you can expect to pay, including labor and materials.

Door Frame and Jamb Costs

One factor impacting door installation costs is whether there’s an existing, correctly sized jamb and frame. Are you swapping out a same-sized door in an existing frame, installing new parts, or something in between? Depending on what your frame and jamb needs are, you might end up paying more or less to install your door.

Cost by Door Size

Doors come in several standard measurements. The closer you stick to the standard door sizes, the more predictable the cost will be. Custom and oversized doors are also an option, but unique design work will raise the price. 

In most cases, the larger the door and door opening, the higher the cost. A standard 36-by-80-inch interior door will cost $150 to $700, and an 80-by-48-inch door will cost between $400 and $1,600. 

Speaking with a local door installation pro is the best way to get an accurate quote for your project, but below, we look at a few popular door widths (all with a height of 80 inches) and what to expect from their installation costs.

Cost of Installation by Door Material

Door materials play a role in their style, longevity, and security level—not to mention their cost. You'll pay the most for a solid wood or wrought-iron door and the least for composite wood doors, which are often used inside your home. Aluminum and steel door costs are in the midrange.

Cost by Door Location: Interior vs. Exterior 

Exterior door installation costs more than installing an interior door. Here’s what you can expect to pay, including labor:

Cost by Composition: Solid vs. Hollow Core

Not to be confused with solid wood doors, solid core doors have an interior filled with wood particles and foam. A hollow core door, on the other hand, has a slat system inside that looks like a honeycomb. 

Both solid and hollow core doors cost an additional $100 to $300 per installation, but the hollow core option will be a bit easier on your wallet.

Pre-Hung vs. Slab Doors

You'll pay less for a slab door than for a pre-hung door that already has attached hinges and is ready to be hung. However, installing a slab door will take longer, so it all comes down to preference and customization.

Cost of Door Parts and Hardware

If you’re installing a door in a new location or changing the size of an existing door, you’ll have to pay additional costs for the necessary work on the wall. 

Pre-hung doors will include some of the hardware you need, but you’ll probably have to purchase knobs and locks. Slab doors will also need jambs and hinges. 

You may also want to consider installing a doorway transition strip to minimize noise between interior rooms. Customized varieties of jambs, hinges, and locks will also add to the total door cost. For example, the cost of adding deadbolt locks to your door ranges between $40 and $200.

Removal and Disposal of Existing Doors

Removing the old door from its hinges and hauling it away will add to your professional door installer’s estimate. Overall, expect to pay between $40 and $200 extra, depending on the door design. Interior doors are often easier to remove and cost between $40 and $100 to remove. On the other hand, removal will add between $70 and $200 to the total cost of installing a new exterior door. 

Lastly, add an average of $60 for the cost of junk removal—though some pros will include this cost in their original quote.

Door Installation Pro Costs

Hiring a door installation pro in Chicago, IL, is the best option for completing this project. Not only can the pros navigate the permit process for you, but they’ll also ensure the door is as safely and securely installed as possible. That means no more frustrations with doors that get stuck in the frame or novice installations that lead to cracked plaster on your walls. Consider the following costs to hire a pro when budgeting for a new door installation.

Labor

Chicago’s cost of living is higher than average, so door installations will cost more here compared to lower-cost-of-living areas. Expect to spend $50 to $150 per hour, per worker, or $150 to $2,000 in labor for the entire project. Complex installations (including widening existing openings, creating new openings, or installing large, heavy exterior doors) will have higher labor costs.

Permits

The Chicago Department of Buildings doesn’t require a permit to replace doors, even exterior ones, that are the same size as the existing door (unless you’re working on a historical property). Otherwise, you’ll spend between $100 and $600 on building permits if you’re replacing a door in a historical building, widening an opening, or installing a new door where one didn’t previously exist. Your contractor will know exactly which permits to pull to ensure your project complies with local building codes.

Do New Doors Increase Home Value?

Doors are an important component of home value in a city like Chicago, where security, energy efficiency, and curb appeal are all important. This city is dense, so privacy and security are crucial to buyers, and the harsh winters mean buyers want doors that keep out drafts. Plus, as a city with prized architecture, period-appropriate door styles can also matter to buyers.

Ultimately, new doors, particularly exterior doors, can offer a return on your investment (ROI) of anywhere from 75% to nearly 270% for Chicago homes.

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We survey real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.