The exterior door installation cost in Canada typically ranges from $1,300 to $4,000 for many standard entry-door replacements. Double doors, sidelights, and custom designs can cost $2,500–$8,000 or more. For initial budgeting, $2,500 is a reasonable starting point for a straightforward replacement, but the final price depends on the door and the work involved.
Why can two similar-looking doors have such different quotes? The difference may come down to the condition of the existing frame, installation work, or extras that aren’t included in the initial price. Knowing what each quote covers can help you avoid unexpected costs and compare estimates fairly.
These estimates are in CAD and draw on published Canadian pricing guides from HomeStars and Home Depot Canada. Prices vary by door configuration and installation scope. Last updated October 2026.
What a Complete Exterior Door Installation Quote Includes
A complete quote covers the whole job, not just the door and a labour figure. In practice the work runs in four steps:
- Remove the existing door. The old door and, where required, its frame come out.
- Inspect the opening. The installer checks it and flags visible issues that could affect the replacement.
- Fit and secure the new door. It is positioned and adjusted for proper operation and alignment.
- Seal and finish. Insulation, weather sealing, trim and other finishing are completed as specified in the quote.
The next part decides whether the price holds. Cheaper quotes often leave out disposal, trim, painting, sealing, or repairs to the frame and sill. If something turns up once the old door is off, ask for a clear explanation and a revised price before you approve extra work.
Quote tip: Ask every installer, “What happens if you find rot behind the trim?” The answer shows you how the final bill is likely to behave.
Replacing the whole entry, with frame, sidelights and hardware? Our guide to front door replacement cost explains how that bigger project is priced.
How Much Does an Exterior Door Cost Without Installation?
Steel is the budget option, at about $1,000–$2,500 for a made-to-measure door, and stock sizes start closer to $700. Fiberglass sits in the middle: $1,500–$3,000 for a basic door, and $3,000–$5,500 once you move up to mid-range finishes and glass. Wood starts around $2,000 and passes $5,000 for hardwood or custom work. Glass, sidelights and unusual sizes push any of these higher.
If a supplier quotes only the door, ask what installation would add. Still choosing? Browse our exterior doors collection to see the entry systems available for Canadian homes.
How Much Does Exterior Door Installation Labour Cost?
Installers typically charge $500–$1,500 to install a standard single door. Heavy wood doors, oversized openings and frame repairs can take that to about $2,000.
The kind of job matters. A pre-hung replacement swaps the door, frame and threshold together. Hanging a new slab in the old frame is quicker and sits at the bottom of the range, but it only works if the frame is square, solid and dry. If there is rot, or the door has been sticking for years, replace the whole unit.
Exterior Door Installation Cost by Door Type
Different exterior door systems have different installation requirements. Use these ranges for initial budgeting, then compare quotes for the same configuration and scope of work.
| Door type | Indicative installed cost | What drives the price |
|---|---|---|
| Single entry door | $1,300–$4,000 | Material, glazing, frame condition and hardware |
| Double entry doors | $2,500–$5,000+ | Wider opening, two panels and alignment |
| Door with sidelights or transom | $2,500–$6,000+ | Glass configuration, framing and finishing |
| Patio or sliding glass door | $1,500–$5,000+ | Door size, frame, glazing and access |
| French door pair | $1,200–$3,800 | Product specification, opening condition and finishing |
| Custom, oversized or pivot door | $3,500–$8,000+ | Custom manufacturing and installation complexity |
The ranges overlap because specifications and included work vary. A quote for one door type may include work that another quote leaves out.
Single and front entry doors
Most homeowners are replacing a front door. For a fiberglass or steel entry door, budget about $2,000–$4,000 installed. A sidelight lifts that: Home Depot Canada’s average for a fiberglass door with one sidelight is around $3,500 in Alberta, which makes a useful benchmark but not a Vancouver price.
Entry doors with sidelights
Sidelights bring natural light into the entrance but add glass and framing to the job. The size and number of sidelights, the glass selection and the condition of the existing opening all influence the total. For more detail, see our guide to the cost of replacing a front door with sidelights.
Patio and sliding glass doors
Patio and sliding doors have different frames and operating systems from standard entry doors. Size, glazing, access to the opening and any frame or sill repairs affect the price. A basic 6-foot vinyl slider typically runs $1,800–$2,800 installed, while larger or premium systems can cost substantially more. Our glass door replacement cost guide goes further.
French doors
French doors use a pair of hinged panels. The cost depends on the product, glazing, hardware, dimensions, and whether the existing opening can take the new system without significant alterations. Our French door replacement cost guide covers what to weigh up.
Pivot and custom doors
Pivot doors and other custom systems may need specialized hardware, careful alignment and a frame that can support them. The final cost depends on the design, dimensions, materials and installation requirements.
Exterior Door Installation Cost by Location in Canada
Door prices are broadly similar across Canada. Most of the difference between cities comes from labour rates, installer availability and the age of local housing, so use these figures as rough guides and not as quotes.
| Location | Typical installed cost (single door) |
|---|---|
| Vancouver and the Lower Mainland, BC | $1,500–$4,000+ |
| Toronto and the GTA | $1,500–$4,000+ |
| Calgary and Edmonton | $1,300–$3,500+ |
| Smaller cities and rural areas | $1,200–$3,000+ |
Actual pricing depends on the door you choose, site conditions, local labour rates and finishing requirements.
Exterior Door Installation Cost in Vancouver and Metro Vancouver
In Metro Vancouver, the cost of replacing an exterior door depends on the product, the condition of the opening and the work needed to finish the job. A broad range of $1,500–$4,000+ for a single entry door is a useful starting point across Vancouver, Burnaby, Surrey, Richmond, the North Shore and the Tri-Cities, but it won’t cover every configuration.
The same door can produce very different quotes when one opening needs a straightforward swap and another needs repairs. That is why a local assessment beats a single price. Four things come up often around here:
- Rain and moisture. Wet winters test every sill, threshold and flashing. If water has reached the framing, that repair comes before the new door.
- Older homes. Many older wood-frame houses have openings that are out of square, which can mean shimming, re-framing or new trim.
- Strata rules. In a strata, exterior doors are often covered by bylaws and may need council approval. Check before you order.
- Custom lead times. Made-to-order doors take manufacturing time on top of installation.
A like-for-like replacement often doesn’t need a building permit, but changing the opening size can. The City of Vancouver explains when a permit is and isn’t required, and other municipalities set their own rules, so confirm before work starts.
What Affects Exterior Door Installation Cost?
The door is only one part of the price. The condition and size of the opening, the type of frame and the finishing work can all change the final quote.
The existing frame and opening
If the frame is sound and the new door fits the existing opening, the installer may avoid extensive repair. Rot, moisture damage, an uneven opening or a damaged sill add labour and materials. Enlarging the opening or changing its structure is a bigger step again, and may need extra approvals. Ask your installer to flag these before the project begins, and to explain how any recommended repair changes the price.
Door size and configuration
A standard single door is generally less complex than a double-door system or an entry with sidelights and a transom. Wider or taller openings, unusual dimensions and custom designs may need a made-to-order product or extra preparation of the opening.
Glass, hardware and finish
Decorative glass, sidelights, transoms, upgraded handles and specialty finishes all raise the product cost. Decide which features matter for your home’s look, privacy and daily use before you compare options. Energy performance deserves a look too: Natural Resources Canada says windows, doors and skylights can account for up to 25% of a home’s energy loss, and ENERGY STAR certified doors are tested against its specifications.
Not sure what your opening needs? Send us a photo and the measurements and we’ll give you a number to compare with your other quotes. Get a free quote.
DIY vs Professional Exterior Door Installation
An exterior door can look like a straightforward project, but a proper fit takes accurate measurements and adjustments. A few millimetres off can show up later as a sticking door, a draft or a leak. DIY cuts the labour cost and suits homeowners who already have experience with door installation, basic framing and exterior finishing.
Hiring an installer adds upfront cost but helps ensure the door is fitted and adjusted properly. It is often the better choice when:
- The door size or configuration is changing
- The existing opening needs adjustments or repair
- The project includes sidelights, transoms or larger systems
- You want installation support and warranty coverage
Our door installation services page shows how we handle this for Vancouver homes.
How to Reduce Exterior Door Installation Cost Without Cutting Quality
A lower installation cost doesn’t have to mean the cheapest door or the cheapest installer. Most savings come from decisions you make before the project begins.
Plan ahead. Last-minute replacements limit your options, and custom doors take time to build.
Keep the existing opening when possible. Changing the size of a doorway or modifying the structure around it can add significant labour.
Choose features based on your priorities. Pay for upgrades you will notice, such as glass and hardware, and skip the rest.
Compare complete quotes. Check that each one lists door removal and disposal, installation labour, hardware, finishing and warranty.
Common Mistakes That Increase Exterior Door Installation Costs
Most unexpected expenses start with a decision made before installation day. These four are the easiest to avoid.
Ordering a door without checking the opening
Not every replacement door fits every opening. Choosing one before you check the existing size and structure leads to extra adjustment work and a higher bill.
Looking only at the door price
The cheapest door isn’t always the cheapest option. Installation requirements, finishing, hardware and future maintenance all feed into the total.
Putting off small problems around the opening
A soft sill or a damaged frame costs more to fix once it is found mid-installation. Having the opening assessed beforehand avoids the surprise.
Comparing quotes without checking what’s included
Two quotes can sit far apart simply because one covers removal, finishing and adjustments and the other doesn’t. Compare scope before you compare price.a frame that can support them. The final cost depends on the design, dimensions, materials and installation requirements.
