We need to have our front door replaced, and we're getting a new Stanley door. Home Depot came to measure and give us the estimate, and it came back $300 higher than expected -- because they recommend spending $300 to have the new brick molding (that they'll attach) "capped" in white. I believe they want to cap it in white alumnimum, as we have white aluminum siding. The question is whether this is worth it, or if it is the home equivalent of buying rust protection for your new car. I understand that capping makes the outside trim maintenance free and would not need to be painted now, but that trim is easy and inexpensive to replace, we have to paint the door anyway, and we likely will be in our house less than another 3 years. If the door/house will look bad without it, we understand, but if it is only about saving maintenance down the road, then it isn't worth it to us. Does any one have any thoughts on this? If it makes a difference to your answer, we will be going without a storm door; and while we do not have an awning, we do have an overhang that protects the area of the door itself. Thanks!

 

First, $300 is vastly overpriced. We'd probably charge $60 to wrap it, which represents about $50 in labor and $10 in materials. ($290 in labor and $10 in materials sounds a bit steep.)

Second, since you'll only be in the home another 3 years, I'd just paint it. If you get a door that is the correct wall thickness, it should all come prepainted (white) anyway.

 

I was about to do say the same thing.
Also if they are want to charge you that much to cover the brick mold I would get a few more prices on hanging the door.

 

Thanks. The whole thing does seem overpriced. The door itself is just under $200. But they want another $100 for extra materials (wood, sealant, etc.), plus another $700 in labor (including the door installation, removal/reattachment of trim, $286 for the capping, hauling away our existing door and storm door, installing the lockset, etc.). That doesn't include putting in our mail slot or peephole, but that's because we decided to do those ourselves (the door come precut for the mail slot and peephole) because they wanted to charge another $75 to install those two pieces.

I expect higher prices in my area (Washington, DC), and I need a new door pretty quickly (there's a crack in my door now), but that pricing seems ridiculous.

 

BTW, I just found another store/installer that will sell me the 6 panel steel door and installation for $985 flat, including basically everything -- the door (good quality), installation, the actual hardware for knob and deadbolt, frame, weatherstripping, and painting both sides of the door in any color we want. For an additional $15, I can get a peephole (cut, hardware, and install) and for an additional $75 I can get a magazine size mail slot (cut, hardware, and install). 6 weeks from order to installation. Plus, they might be able to detach and reattach the door sensor from my alarm system, rather than having to call the security company out to do it.

This seems like a good deal, especially considering that Home Depot wants $1000 (including the overpriced capping), and that doesn't include the hardware itself, or the painting, or the charges the security company would make me pay to have them come detach and reattach the sensor.

In all of your opinions, is this a good deal, or still overpriced?

 

The 2nd deal you mentioned sounds a little more reasonable. Heck, for what the other bid is, I could fly to DC, put your door in, fly back and still be making pretty good money. ha ha!

The thing is, if it's still a $200 door, you're still paying a lot for labor. In my opinion, anyone that charges you more than about $300 to install a door is probably ripping you off, or at least making a lot of profit doing it.

If you want to pay less, I'm sure you can find a handyman to install your door for a LOT less.

 

X, we live in the wrong area, that's for dang sure!!! I know the homecenters have 3 people to pay on 1 job (homecenter, middle man, installer) but holy cow, I might have to go rredone my contract with HD LOL!!! Typically in my area $40/opening to cap is the norm. $250 for basic install and that's R&R storm door and landfill fee...depenind on area too.

If you want to get down to the nitty gritty of what'd it cost for permit to be pulled there's an extra charge on top of installation charge so getting upward of $300 for a door install is typical if it's an in and out door swap. Any funhy stuff will be bid higher naturally.

 

I happen to work for HD and see these measures come back with these kind of amounts on them. I'm constantly seeing additions for adding extension jambs, for a 4 9/16 door that is geting special ordered. I'm wondering why we just don't order the door with the correct jamb width. When I have asked the install contractor abpout this, I don't get a straight answer.