How to Price Front Door and Composite Door Replacement: Labour, Frame and Finishing

Quick Answer: A standard composite front door replacement costs £1,400–£2,800 supply-and-fit in 2026, with the door itself £700–£1,800, frame £150–£300, hardware £80–£200, and labour £200–£400 for a half-day install. uPVC doors run cheaper (£800–£1,800 fitted); aluminium and timber doors run higher (£2,200–£5,500). All replacement external doors must achieve a U-value ≤1.4 W/m²K under Approved Document L 2021. PAS 24:2022 (security) is required by Approved Document Q for new dwellings; widely used as best practice on replacements. Trickle vents required by Approved Document F unless replaced like-for-like.

Summary

The front door market in the UK is dominated by composite doors — a GRP outer skin around an insulated core, marketed under brands like Solidor, Rockdoor, Door-Stop, Endurance and many more. Volume is high because front doors are visible, customers care about kerb appeal, and a 25-year-old timber or 1990s uPVC door has aged poorly. Replacement is straightforward — a half-day job for a competent installer in 90% of cases.

For a contractor pricing the work, the variables are the door spec (composite, uPVC, aluminium, timber), the frame condition, and the customer's expectation on hardware (handles, letterplate, knocker, spy hole). The job rarely requires Building Regulations notification (replacements are exempt), but the like-for-like replacement must still meet current performance requirements: U-value, security, ventilation. Get the spec right at the front end.

The growth area is aluminium doors — premium frames, slimmer sightlines, contemporary aesthetic. Aluminium adds 30–50% over composite cost but is increasingly expected on architect-designed extensions and high-end refurb. Timber doors remain niche (heritage, conservation work) and command a premium for the labour to fit, finish and maintain.

Key Facts

Quick Reference Table

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Door type Supply cost Total fitted Programme
Standard uPVC front door £450–£900 £800–£1,500 Half day
Standard composite (basic) £700–£1,200 £1,200–£2,000 Half day
Premium composite (Solidor etc.) £1,000–£1,800 £1,500–£2,800 Half day
Aluminium contemporary £1,500–£3,500 £2,200–£5,500 Half day
Hardwood (oak, accoya) £1,200–£3,500 £2,000–£5,500 1 day
Composite + double sidelights £1,400–£2,800 £2,200–£4,500 1 day
Composite + transom + sidelights (full surround) £1,800–£3,500 £3,500–£6,500 1–1.5 days

Detailed Guidance

Door Choice: Composite vs uPVC vs Aluminium vs Timber

Composite:

uPVC:

Aluminium:

Timber (hardwood):

Frame Specification

The frame is integral to the door's performance. Critical:

A new frame is required for any door style change. Like-for-like replacements can sometimes reuse the existing frame, but only if the frame is:

In practice, 80%+ of replacements include a new frame.

Hardware: The Hidden Cost

Customers focus on the door but underspecify hardware. Quote should include:

Bundle hardware as one line in the quote — itemising every screw is overkill but the total should be visible.

Anti-Snap Cylinders: Critical Security

Standard uPVC and composite doors come with Euro-profile cylinders. Cheap cylinders can be snapped in seconds with mole grips by burglars — well-publicised technique.

Required spec: TS 007 3-star anti-snap cylinder (also called Sold Secure Diamond, or compliant with BS EN 1303). Premium cylinders £30–£80; security insurance often requires them.

Always supply with the door. Don't allow the customer to "use the existing cylinder" unless you've confirmed it's anti-snap rated.

Glazing Options

Front doors with glass panels:

For privacy, obscure glass (Pilkington Cotswold, Texturally) is the standard for bathroom/WC doors and side panels visible from the street.

Sidelights and Transoms

Where the door is part of a wider opening:

Glazing in sidelights must also be safety-rated below 800 mm.

Trickle Vents

Approved Document F (ventilation) requires trickle vents in habitable rooms with replaced windows or doors. Position:

Modern composite and uPVC frames include trickle vents at no extra cost. Aluminium frames sometimes need a separate trickle vent above (small cost). Timber doors usually omit trickle vents — not technically Part F compliant, but enforcement is weak on like-for-like replacements.

Energy and U-Value

Approved Document L:

Modern composite doors achieve 1.0–1.4 W/m²K easily. Aluminium with thermal break achieves similar; without thermal break, 2.0+ W/m²K (non-compliant).

Installation Sequence (Replacement)

  1. Survey: measure existing aperture inside frame, outside frame, sill detail, threshold height
  2. Order: composite door usually 4–6 weeks lead time
  3. Day of install: protect floor and surrounding area
  4. Remove old door and frame: unscrew, knock back, dispose
  5. Clean opening: remove old mortar, debris, sealant
  6. Set new frame: plumb, square, packers at fixings
  7. Fix frame: 6–10 frame fixings, screws into substrate
  8. Install door slab: hinge fittings, alignment
  9. Test multipoint lock: 5+ cycles to verify engagement
  10. Seal externally with low-modulus silicone
  11. Internal architrave or trim, plaster make-good
  12. Final test, hand keys, demonstrate operation to customer

Programme: 3–6 hours for like-for-like; 8–12 hours for new opening.

New Door Opening (Cutting in)

Where the door is going into a new opening (not replacement), additional work:

This adds £600–£1,500 to a basic door cost. Always survey before quoting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to upgrade the cylinder for insurance?

Most home insurers require BS 3621 5-lever mortice deadlocks on timber doors and TS 007 3-star anti-snap cylinders on multipoint locks for full theft cover. Quote the upgrade by default; the cost is small and prevents disputes.

How long does a composite door last?

Manufacturer warranties are typically 10 years on the door, 5 years on hardware. Real-world life is 20–30 years. The most common failure modes are gasket degradation (hardens after 15–20 years), hinge sag (replaceable), and surface scuffing in high-traffic households.

Can I keep the old frame?

Sometimes. Like-for-like replacement (same size, same brand) can sometimes reuse a sound frame. But composite door slabs are sized to specific frame dimensions, and mixing brands rarely works. Budget for a new frame on most replacements.

What about pets and pet doors?

Cat and dog flaps can be cut into composite doors but factory-cut (specified at order) gives a better finish than retrofitted. Cost £80–£150 to factory-cut; £150–£300 to retrofit. Aluminium and timber doors can be retrofitted more easily.

When is a door not a like-for-like replacement?

If you're changing the size of the opening (wider, taller), changing the leaf-to-frame configuration (single to French, with sidelights, etc.), or making structural changes — all require Building Control notification. Like-for-like is interpreted strictly: same overall dimensions, same use class.

Regulations & Standards