COST GUIDES
How much does it cost to replace a door frame in 2026?
Updated 06/26
Over time your door frames can sag, stick and split, leaving you in a cold and uncomfortable home. Thankfully, replacing a door frame is a simple job for a professional tradesperson.
Fast Facts
The average cost to replace a softwood internal door frame is £277.50
The average cost to replace a composite external door frame is £305
It should take an expert tradesperson 2 - 3 hours to fit a new internal door frame
In this guide, we detail the costs to replace a door frame, including wooden doors, composite doors and metal doors, for both external and internal doors.
Average cost to replace a door frame
| Cost provided | Unit | Price range - Low | Price range - High | Average UK cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hardwood door frame (materials only) | Ea | £90 | £800 | £445 |
| Softwood door frame (materials only) | Ea | £20 | £305 | £197.50 |
| Composite door frame (materials only) | Ea | £100 | £150 | £125 |
| Metal door frame (materials only) | Ea | £150 | £200 | £175 |
| Internal door frame installation (labour only) | Ea | £40 | £120 | £80 |
| External door frame installation (labour only) | Ea | £140 | £220 | £180 |
| Door frame installer | Per hour | £25 | £37.50 | £31.25 |
| uPVC door with frame (materials and labour) | Ea | £400 | £1,000 | £700 |
| Last updated: June 2026 Our costs are ballpark averages - get a local tradesperson to quote now | ||||
The average cost to replace a softwood internal door frame, including materials and labour is £277.50.
The costs in this guide are based upon on single doorway, up to 900mm in diameter.
The costs are to replace the frame only, not replacing or refitting the door. See our guide to door installation costs for that.
Door frame replacement costs
Here are the door frame replacement costs you should expect to pay.
Cost of replacing internal door frames
The average cost of replacing an internal softwood door frame (materials only) is £197.50.
It should take an expert tradesperson 2 - 3 hours to fit a new internal door frame, costing on average £80.
Cost of replacing external door frame
While costs can vary, the average cost for a composite door frame is £125. Replacing a metal door frame should cost around £175.
And a hardwood doorframe will set you back £445 on average.
It should take an expert tradesperson 4 - 5 hours to fit a new external door frame, costing on average £180.
Door frame replacement hourly rates
For a door frame installer, you can expect to pay on average around £31.25 per hour to replace a door.
If you need to hire a carpenter as part of the project, they'll usually charge on average £31.25 per hour or £250 per day – depending on the actual carpentry work required.
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Cost to replace a door and frame together
Replacing both the door and the frame at once is a great idea, as it gets the whole task done in one fell swoop - meaning an instantly refreshed doorway.
Cost to replace an internal door and frame
For replacing an internal door and frame at the same time, add together the costs of:
£125 - £350 on average to install a softwood internal door
£197.50 on average for a softwood internal door frame
£80 on average in labour to install the internal frame
Cost to replace an external door and frame
For replacing an external or front door and frame at the same time, add together the costs of:
£480 on average to install a hardwood external door
£125 on average for a composite door frame
£180 on average in labour to install the external frame
If you're choosing a uPVC external door and frame, you're looking at total costs of around £400 - £1,000 for installation and materials, including glazing and architrave.
See our guide to door installation costs for more details.
Door installation costs 2026
If you’re thinking about replacing your old doors, or perhaps you’re renovating or extending your property, then researching door installation costs should be your first step.
Factors affecting door frame replacement costs
The total replacing door frame cost will be affected by several factors, including:
Location – Expect to pay more if you live in a city such as London.
Number of door frames being fitted – If you’re replacing more than one door frame, the door frame replacement costs will be lower.
Building type – You will pay more to replace door frames in a listed or historic building.
While replacing your door frame, there may be damage to the surrounding paintwork and plaster that may need to be covered. If you choose a wooden door frame, this will need to be painted or finished.
If you want your tradesperson to dispose of the old door frame or architraves that they are replacing, you should expect to pay for this.
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What's included in a door frame replacement quote?
You can usually expect your door frame replacement quote from a carpenter to include the costs of:
Materials, including the new frame and other supplies
Removal of the old frame
Installation of the new frame
Cleanup and disposal
Additional costs to budget for
Depending on your quote and what's involved in your project, you may need to budget extra for things like:
Painting the door and frame
New door hardware, such as hinges
Windows and double glazing, for an external door
Disposal and waste clearance
VAT
Get a door frame replacement quote
It's always wise to get quotes from multiple trusted tradespeople, so you can make the best choice for your home.
Our free request a quote tool is perfect for getting quotes – you post details about the job you want doing and we’ll send it out to local tradespeople in your area. Try it out!
You can also type your postcode in below to start comparing your options, or download the Checkatrade app.
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Door frame replacement cost calculator
To calculate the cost of your door frame replacement you'll need to factor in the size, style and material used for the door frame.
Then, on top of the material costs, you'll need to add on the cost of labour for the installation – including removing the existing door frame and installing the new one.
You can get an approximate quote for your door frame replacement using our job estimate tool.
Just enter a few details about the job at hand - such as the kind of door frame you'd like, and whether it's internal or external - and the calculator will dig into Checkatrade data to tell you what you can expect to pay.
Job Estimate Calculator
Different types of door frame
Door frames are made up of a selection of parts that allow your door to swing, open and close freely.
The visual part of a door frame are called the jambs. These are upright planks of wood (or other material) that sit along the insides of the door frame vertically and horizontally.
On external doors, the bottom of the door frame is called the sill. Inside the jambs are stops that stop the door from opening and closing.
Need help choosing the right door? Explore our guides on internal, composite and front doors — or find checked door fitting services near you to get tailored advice.
The door frame structure itself is secured to the wall using waterproof glue and screws. Internal and external door frames can come with a variety of case designs to suit your property.
There are three types of door frame to choose from:
Wooden
Composite
Metal
The total replacement door frame cost will be affected by the type of door frame you choose and the material it is constructed from.
Internal door frames are typically constructed from softwood. External door frames can be hardwood, composite or metal.
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Common issues with door frames
Door frames can become damaged or distressed for several reasons, such as:
Sticking – Changes in humidity can result in door frames expanding and contracting, causing problems with opening and closing doors.
Split door jambs – Door jambs can split as a result of being kicked, hit or damaged in other ways.
Sagging – Sagging is a technical term for a door dropping within a door frame. Rather than the door being the problem, it’s likely to be the frame. Sagging doors can let in drafts and be unsafe.
Drafts – Uneven door frames, including door frames that have warped, will allow drafts into the home.
As well as structural problems with a door frame, you may choose to replace older door frames because of how they look. Door frames can become damaged through wear and tear, and fitting different sized hinges can affect the look of doorframes, meaning a change may be in order.
The cost of replacing a door frame is low but it's a job that can make a big impact on how your property looks and feels.
Can I fit my own door frame?
Fitting a replacement door frame is a specialist job that demands precision. As well as replacing the door frame, in most cases your tradesperson will hang (or re-hang) the door, cutting new hinges and fitting all furniture to the frame.
Unless you are experienced, it's best to leave door hanging to a professional – particularly for external doors.
Get started by searching your postcode, to see all the Checkatrade carpenters and door frame fitters who work in your area.
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The average cost of a new composite door frame, suitable for an external door, is £125. Add on the cost of labour for a tradesperson to fit the frame, which averages around £180.
Yes - if you already have a uPVC door frame and it's in good enough condition, it's usually perfectly fine to replace just the door while keeping the existing frame.
Yes, you can buy a door frame on its own. A carpenter will be able to replace your old frame with the new one, and re-hang your existing door.
It isn't advised - replacing a door frame is difficult, skilled work. It's wise to hire a carpenter to make sure the frame is fitted to a high standard.
It's usually simply called a door frame! The framework can also be called a door lining or door casing.
An internal door frame consists of jambs (the vertical wood either side of the door), lintel or head (the horizontal piece at the top above the door), and a stop (a thin raised bit of wood that stops the door from swinging too far when closed).
Yes, the frame is a key component of a fire door. The fire door won't work without the right frame. See our guide to fire door installation for details.
Yes, it's almost always possible to repair a damaged door frame. It's usually cheaper and less hassle to repair the frame compared to replacing it.
The most common door frame size in England and Wales is 1981mm x 762mm (6ft 6in x 2ft 6in).
In Scotland - and a large number of new build homes in the rest of the UK - the most common door frame size is 2040mm x 726mm.
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