Cost of External Door Relocation

Last updated 27th February, 2024

Are you wondering how to build an exterior door? Or want to move your door?

This article breaks down all that's entailed in relocating an external door in your home. We cover the supply costs of a new door, the fitting cost and more!

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Moving Your External Door

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How much does it cost to move an exterior door?

The average cost of moving an external door is around £1000 - £3000, dependant on the location of the door and the amount of work involved.

While relocating the external door you should consider replacing it for a new one if it's in a poor condition. You’re going to be matching the hole up with your current door but it may be cost-effective to get a new door if you’re going to be replacing it relatively soon anyway. If your door is an awkward size or shape it may add extra costs which would be averted by using a new door.

You must also consider how much the project will cost overall. You may need painting or decorating work to restore the area where the door previously was. It's possible that you may need to account for the costs of diverting power or water supplies.

Your builder will usually work at a cost of around £150 per day.

Exterior Door Prices

Below are some estimated prices for hiring a builder to move an external door:

Description Avg. Cost Duration
Relocating the same door in another part of the property £1500-£2200 1-2 days
Install new uPVC external door and seal up previous opening £2000-£2250 1-2 days
Install new composite external door and seal up previous opening £2750-£3000 1-2 days
Install new hardwood external door and seal up previous opening £3000-£3500 1-2 days


Cost Breakdown Calculator For Moving an External Door

Individual costs of moving an external door - Total Cost: £1900

55%

Materials
£1045

40%

Tradesmen
£760

5%

Waste Removal
£95

An external door located in an awkward position can be a constant source of irritation which causes a number of problems. Therefore, it may be necessary to relocate the door to a more suitable position that better meets your needs. If you are thinking about moving your external door, read this useful guide to learn about what you can expect if you decide to relocate an exterior door.

What will be involved in moving your external door?

Sometimes there is one thing that prevents the design of your home being perfect. Moving an external door can be the perfect solution to a cumbersome side entrance or badly positioned door. A relocated door can completely transform the look and feel of your home, improving access, the amount of light and how you can use the space.

Moving an external door to a better location can also be the perfect opportunity to increase the value of your home, as you make both the exterior and interior design of your home more appealing as a result of the work.

What should you expect if you are planning to move an external door?

To move an external door, the existing door will need to be removed, ensuring that any important structural joists are left intact. The space left will then need to be blocked up.

A fresh hole will need to be made for the new location of the door, again ensuring that any work steers clear of important structural joints. New studs will need to be put in to create the frame for the door, then finally your new door will be put in place.

During the work to relocate your external door, you are likely to need brickwork replaced, the area re-plastered and more. So you may well find yourself hiring a plasterer, decorator and even an electrician if there is wiring in the way. These additional hires will affect your overall price, so don’t forget to budget for them too.

It is possible that moving an external door may require planning permission, so you will need to contact your local council before you commence any work. This is a job that you may consider carrying out yourself, however without the correct knowledge and expertise you could cause your home and yourself serious damage, so this may be a task to leave to the professionals.

Relocating a door is a good opportunity to update the style of your door, however, it is useful to bear in mind that if you keep the new door the same size as the previous one, it will help to ensure that the job remains straightforward and is completed on time. Extra time spent making adjustments will cause you to incur further expenses, so it is worth thinking about how you can keep things on track during the planning stages.

Within the walls you may find that there is wiring or pipework that will also need to be relocated as part of the renovation, this work will make the task more complex and involve additional tradesmen such as an electrician or plumber, which will increase your final costs.

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FAQs

If you are moving an external door it is unlikely that you will need planning permission if the new door will be the same or similar to the one before. However, if you are fitting a different door, live in a listed building or a home in a conservation area then you may need planning permission. Whatever your situation, contact your local council to check whether there are any planning permissions or building regulations that you will need to adhere to. Remember to do this before you carry out any work.
It can be difficult to decide which material to choose when you want a robust, secure and attractive exterior door. Here’s a quick summary of the best materials for your front door:

Wood: With the unique combination of being both sturdy and easy to style, wood is still a popular choice for a front door. However, it is useful to bear in mind that the quality of wood can deteriorate over time as it begins to warp and sag. Fitting a door made from a solid-core wood can help to prolong the life of a wooden door.

Composite: A composite door is made from a number of materials that have been specifically chosen for their properties. Composite doors are made from steel, aluminium, uPVC and wood. These doors offer the best of all the materials used, the thermal performance of timber, the easy maintenance of uPVC and the strength of steel.

Fibreglass: Fibreglass is a long-lasting, robust material that will ensure that your home remains safe and energy-efficient. Its wood-like appearance makes it a desirable way to get a wooden-looking door that won’t warp, although the finish may fade over time.

Steel: Steel is a super-sturdy material that will lock in the most warmth and keep you the most secure. Although steel doors can be finished in a range of ways, the overall aesthetic is not as appealing as wood in addition, as a good conductor it will retain the temperature that surrounds it. However, this does mean that steel doors tend to be cheaper.

Vinyl: Vinyl is used for a large number of patio door frames. It is energy-efficient, low in cost and durable.

Aluminium: Aluminium is another popular choice for patio door frames and is also easy to look after, long-lasting and energy-efficient.
Wooden exterior doors can be made from many different types of wood which all have individual characteristics. If you want the wood that ticks every box then mahogany is the best choice. This sought-after wood is extremely hard-wearing and robust with a beautiful grain and deep colour that looks stunning in any style.
If you are looking for the most energy-efficient door then you might want to think twice about choosing a wooden door. Fibreglass, vinyl and steel are the most energy-efficient types of the external door around.

Fibreglass offers four times the insulating R-value of wood. Vinyl is excellent at preventing hot or cold air entering the home whilst maintaining the temperature inside, whilst steel is a good insulator although it is also a good conductor so it will also retain the temperature that surrounds it.

Wood, on the other hand, is a poor thermal insulator, despite its popularity as a well-used material for external doors. Although this is partly due to the fact that it can be shaped to fit so many different designs and has a classic, elegant aesthetic.