How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Door Frame? [2026 Data]

The average cost to replace door frames in your home is around $400, including two hours of labor at $70 per hour. The frame itself can cost anywhere from $80 to $500, depending on the type, material, and style. Specialized types of doors such as barn doors and French doors might cost more, given that their average dimensions are usually larger than a single interior or exterior door. If the wall surrounding your door opening has been damaged and needs to be repaired, this could also increase your total costs.

Door Frame Replacement Cost Factors

Door frame replacement is a straightforward job for most door pros. It mainly comes down to the replacement materials and labor costs.

Materials

Most homeowners choose wooden door frames (and doors), although some choose other materials for added strength and durability. Wooden door frames are made from softwood species such as pine, hemlock, and fir. The softness of the wood makes it easier to work with, and it’s usually less expensive to install wooden doors and door frames. 

Other options include vinyl, aluminum, and fiberglass door frames. All of these materials offer decent insulation and resistance to scratching. 

In addition to the frame itself, your materials for this project can also include fasteners, flashing, caulking, and shims. Typically, for a single door frame replacement, these additional costs will range between $10 and $20. 

Labor

Replacing a door frame takes about three hours for an experienced professional. That labor is generally billed at an hourly rate of between $70 and $125 per hour for a total cost ranging from $230 to $380.

Some materials—like hardwood—require extra care when installing and add time to the job, increasing the total labor cost. Decorative or specialty frames will also increase the cost of labor.

Wall Repairs

Wall repairs are fairly common when replacing a door frame, especially in older homes or if the door’s been exposed to moisture. Some types of repairs that might factor into the cost include:

Disposal

Your contractor may include the cost of disposing of the old door frame in their total project cost. If not, you can save money by disposing of the old frame at your local dump for $50 to $100 per ton. The cost to do this varies by municipality, so it’s wise to call ahead to see how much it would cost. If you want the old frame picked up, expect to pay at least $60 in junk removal costs.

Additional Carpentry Work

When replacing a door frame, you might want to work with your local door repair pro to determine if other carpentry work is needed. This kind of additional work could look like replacing rotten or damaged studs within the wall, adjusting the rough opening to fit a standard door size, or shimming the frame to ensure it's level and plumb. 

Luckily, you don’t need to be a pro yourself to get this work done. According to Angi data gathered from 9,800 customers, 23% of homeowners wanted the recommendation of their pro to decide if additional work needed to be done during their project.

Cost to Replace a Door Frame by Type

The cost to replace door frames largely depends on the type of door you’re working with and whether it’s an exterior door (one leading into the home from the outdoors) or an interior one. Typically, exterior door frames cost a bit more on average.

Exterior Door Frames

Exterior door frames range in cost between $130 to $400. Security steel door frames for exterior doors can cost substantially more, starting at $200 up to $900 (in some cases, even more).

Interior Door Frames

On average, interior door frames cost between $120 and $230. However, that average cost varies for specialized styles. For example, pocket door frames average between $200 and $340, while barn door track kits average in price from $170 to $300. French door frames cost an average of $180 to $240.

Why You Should Hire a Door Frame Replacement Pro

It’s possible to replace a door frame if you have moderate DIY skills, experience, and plan to use a prehung door. However, given the overall complexity of the work and the tools required, hiring a door frame installer near you or a general contractor is often worth the cost. This is especially true if you have to widen the frame for a new door. It’s a more complicated structural task, and you may need a building permit. 

Here’s why it’s ideal to hire a door frame replacement pro

If you want a reliable, code‑compliant result with minimal hassle, a professional brings clear advantages:

• Accurate rough‑opening layout and framing to ensure the new frame is plumb and square, allowing the door to operate smoothly

• Expertise in widening openings or working on load‑bearing walls, including proper header installation and permit management

• Precise trimming, shimming, and weatherproofing to prevent drafts, sticking, or security gaps

• Access to specialized tools and materials (such as jamb saws, planers, shims, and foam sealants) and experience with prehung versus slab installations

• Faster project completion, cleanup, and warranty or follow‑up service to minimize callbacks or rework

If you want to DIY a door frame replacement

If you have moderate carpentry experience and the project is straightforward, these tasks are achievable for a capable homeowner:

• Use a prehung door to make alignment easier and minimize complex jamb construction.

• Remove the old frame, inspect and repair surrounding studs, and prepare a proper rough opening before installing the new frame.

• Trim and plane the door or jamb as needed, install hinges and hardware, and shim the jamb to ensure it is plumb and the reveal is even.

• Seal and finish with casing and trim to conceal gaps and give the installation a professional appearance.

Door Frame Repair vs. Replacement

A quality door frame should be able to last years (or even decades) of regular use before needing a replacement. It may be more cost effective to fix a door frame yourself if it’s an easy repair. These repairs are pretty DIY-friendly and typically cost between $50 and $150, making it more budget-friendly than full replacement.

Attempts to repair these door frame issues will only mask the problem and pose a security risk—especially for exterior door frames. Plus, a replacement could be a good opportunity to upgrade to a more durable material or a style that better suits your home.

Ways to Save Money on Door Frame Replacement Costs

To reduce the costs of replacing a door frame, hire a professional only after you ask for and evaluate written quotes from at least three professional installation companies or general contractors. Some other tips include:

1. Select a less expensive door frame material, like aluminum or vinyl, to save on material costs.

2. Take extra care when removing the existing framing and trim. You may be able to reuse trim if it hasn’t been damaged during its removal, and avoiding additional damage to the surrounding wall can save you money, too. 

3. Consider whether the frame needs replacing at all. Sometimes, a door frame can be repaired instead of replaced, assuming the damage isn’t too extensive. Repair work should cost significantly less than a full replacement, especially if you can handle the work yourself.

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 extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on 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. 

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