I need to replace a prehung door (back door). Lowe's install partners now charge $470 labor alone per install.
is this something I can hire out a handyman to do?
what are the things that can mess up?

 

We replace our own doors when a tenant breaks one - relatively straight forward job.

 

Thank you stickshift. To prevent water leak or damage, do we need to anything special. tenant complained a few times that water got into with heavy rain

 

note this is the backdoor (exterior) leading to the yard

 

A sill pan can be added as an installation step to any door installation and helps prevent interior leakage under a door or around the door (through the sides of the rough opening). It is not automatic that the installer will use one unless it is specifically requested. But its a good insurance policy and will easily pays for itself if (when) it prevents an expensive leak from ruining the floor, subfloor and framing.

Depending on the type of siding, water can get behind the door from above unless measures are taken to divert water during the install. This might necessitate removing some siding or adding a z-flashing as a drip cap above the door, depending on the type of siding. Flashing tape might also be needed, depending on the type of door and type of siding.

As for the door itself, every exterior door will benefit from a storm door to keep windo blown rain from even contacting the weatherstripping. Weatherstripping is good for stopping wind... not so good at stopping water.

A good handyman should be able to do it. A bad handyman could easily botch it. If, for example, your handyman doesn't even know what a sill pan is, keep looking for one who does.

Having said all that, $470 is pretty reasonable.

 

Sorry, I missed the part about this being an exterior door - that does make a difference.