What to Have Ready When We Come To Quote An Exterior Door

An exterior door quote is one of the more straightforward ones we do, but being prepared still makes a difference in how useful the conversation is. Here's what helps.

Know the door you're replacing. If possible, have the current measurements handy or at least note whether it's a standard-sized entry door or something that might be a non-standard size. Older homes in particular sometimes have rough opening sizes that don't match current standard door dimensions, and knowing that upfront helps us plan accordingly.

Have a sense of what you're looking for. You don't need to have made a final decision, but if you know you want a fiberglass door versus steel, or you have a finish in mind, or you know you want sidelites, bring that to the conversation. The more direction you have, the more specific we can be in our recommendations and our pricing.

Think about the hardware. Are you keeping existing hardware or replacing it? If the lockset, handleset, or deadbolt are staying, we need to make sure the new door is prepped to match. If you're replacing everything, that's a good time to decide on a finish so everything coordinates.

Note any issues with the current door or frame. Is there rot in the frame? Does the door stick or seal poorly? Are there drafts in winter? These things affect whether we're doing a door slab replacement, a pre-hung door replacement, or a full frame-out, and the pricing changes accordingly.

If you have photos of doors you like, bring them. A visual goes a long way in helping us understand the direction you're going and making sure we're recommending the right product.