hello, I am a new homeowner and would like to install prehung doors in several areas of my home.

I have no problem swinging a hammer, but not very good at measuring and have not had any experience installing a door. My questions are below:

1. What is the easiest way to add color to the door? I understand these must be painted. Should this be done before or after they are installed. Does a painter do this? We would like brown doors.

2. I have no experience installing doors. Is it easy enough to youtube / google and install myself? or should I hire a professional?

Any detailed information of the process would be much appreciated.

 

Only measuring you need to do is when your figuring out what size door it is to buy it.
Some doors are made odd ball sizes like 33-3/4" for example.
That would be a 34" door.
There sold in even sizes, 32, 34, 36.
Often times you see numbers like 2-8 for a 32"door, that just means the door is 2'8" wide.
A 36" would be a 3-0 door.
Then you need to know if it's a left or right hand door.
Easiest way I know is stand in the room the door is serving facing the door, which hand do you use to open the door? If it's your left hand it's a left handed door.
The doors going to need to be painted, I find it easier to remove the door and all the hardware, and paint the door laying down, other's tape off the hinges and paint them in place.
If you have an older home with unlevel floors installing is a bit harder because the outside jambs sit right on the floor, if the floors off, the door will be off unless some material gets trimmed off the jamb on the high side.
Ideally you should have a finish nail gun, framing square, 2' and at least a 4' level, and some shims.
I use a 6' level for the side jambs to make sure plumb and flat.
It's a whole lot more work trying to nail the casing by hand.

 

So your suggestion is to install the pre hung door first, and then take it off the hinges and paint it?

And to my 2nd questions...

I have no experience installing doors. Is it easy enough to youtube / google and install myself? or should I hire a professional?

 

Good luck on watching any Utube video's, I've seen some that where way off.
I'd do it myself, having trouble, then come back here and ask questions here, someone will get you through it.
I forgot to ask, how old is this house?
Just 2 X 4 walls and sheet rock?
Makes a big difference if it's old plaster walls.

 

I think doors are a lot more intimidating than they are difficult.

Along the same lines as Joe's suggestion, I think you should try one and hit us up if you have questions. After that, decide pro or DIY.

 

The house is built in the 1950s, and sheetrock. There is a preexisting door in each of the doorways now, I believe it is 2 x 4.

Considering I am a visual person would you happen to have a recommended youtube video I could start off with?

I could shoot questions here. Thanks

 

That's normally how I do it; the carpenter installs the doors/trim and then I come in and caulk and putty, prime and paint. The doors can be painted installed although if the doors are exposed to any moisture you'd want to take them down so you can seal the tops/bottoms.