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Door Replacement Project Budget Planner

This planner estimates the total budget for replacing doors by combining door-unit costs, installation labor, hardware allowances, fixed project expenses, disposal, and contingency. It works for a single repeated door type or for a group represented by average per-door costs. The result includes an all-in cost per door, making it easier to compare scope options or evaluate how upgraded hardware and door units affect the project total.

Door projects can involve very different cost drivers, including exterior-rated units, fire ratings, sidelights, jamb repair, finish carpentry, painting, smart locks, and access conditions. Replace the defaults with actual quotes or realistic project assumptions. For mixed doors, calculate each group separately when their unit or labor costs differ enough that a single average would hide important budget differences.

Door budget assumptions

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Result
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estimated project budget
Base project subtotal—
Contingency amount—
All-in cost per door—

1. Enter the project count
Set the number of windows or doors included in the budget.

2. Add per-unit costs
Enter material, labor, and any per-opening hardware allowance shown on the page.

3. Add project-level costs
Include permits, mobilization, disposal, or other fixed amounts that apply to the whole job.

4. Set contingency
Choose the percentage reserve you want applied to the base subtotal.

5. Review total and unit cost
Compare the estimated project budget with the all-in cost per opening and the contingency amount.

Base subtotal = Door count × (Door unit cost + Labor per door + Hardware per door) + Fixed costs + Disposal Contingency amount = Base subtotal × (Contingency ÷ 100) Estimated project budget = Base subtotal + Contingency amount All-in cost per door = Estimated project budget ÷ Door count

Where:

Door unit cost = door slab or prehung unit allowance per opening
Labor per door = installation labor allocated per opening
Hardware per door = hinges, lockset, closer, or other hardware allowance
Fixed costs = project-level permit or mobilization costs
Disposal = haul-away and disposal allowance
Contingency = reserve percentage applied to the base subtotal

Assumptions: All costs use one currency and are entered before contingency. Taxes, financing, and incentives are not modeled separately.

What the result means

The primary result is a planning estimate based on the values entered above. Review the breakdown to see the main components that drive the result.

Use project-specific measurements, quotes, and product information when moving from early planning to final purchasing or contracting.

Given:
Door count = 4
Door unit cost = $600 each
Labor = $325 per door
Hardware = $150 per door
Fixed costs = $200
Disposal = $200
Contingency = 10%

Calculation:
Base subtotal = 4 × ($600 + $325 + $150) + $200 + $200 = $4,700
Contingency = $4,700 × 0.10 = $470
Project budget = $4,700 + $470 = $5,170
All-in cost per door = $5,170 ÷ 4 = $1,292.50

Result:
$5,170 estimated project budget

Interpretation:
The plan allocates $4,700 before contingency and $470 as reserve, for an all-in average of $1,292.50 per door.

Should painting and trim repair be included in labor per door?

Include them if they are part of your planned installation scope and priced on a per-door basis. Project-wide finish work can instead be folded into fixed costs.

How should I budget for mixed interior and exterior doors?

Run separate calculations for groups with different unit, hardware, and labor costs, then add the totals. A single average can be used only when a rough portfolio-level estimate is sufficient.

What belongs in the hardware allowance?

Use it for items such as hinges, locksets, handles, closers, kick plates, or smart hardware that are not included with the door unit. Match the allowance to the actual door specification.

Does the calculator account for damaged framing or jamb repair?

Only if you include an allowance in labor, fixed costs, or contingency. Hidden rot, framing changes, and opening corrections can materially change a replacement budget.

Why include a contingency if I already have quotes?

Quotes may exclude hidden conditions, small finish repairs, or scope changes. A contingency provides a visible reserve, but the appropriate amount depends on how complete and firm the quoted scope is.