A useful starting budget for buying and fitting internal doors is £150 to £350 each, provided you are replacing standard hinged doors in sound existing frames. Higher-specification oak, factory-finished or glazed designs can take the total to £250 to £550 or more per door.
The advertised price usually covers the door leaf, not the handles, hinges, finishing or installation. That means a £90 door is not a £90 replacement project, and a cheaper unfinished leaf can cost more overall than a ready-finished alternative.
Use the figures below as indicative UK budgeting allowances, not live product prices or a fitting quotation. They include VAT where chargeable. Before ordering, ask your fitter to check the openings and confirm the work included, especially if you are changing frames or replacing fire doors.
How much do internal doors cost to buy?
Construction, finish, glazing and size all affect the purchase price. These allowances are for a single standard-sized door leaf, without separate handles, hinges, delivery or fitting.
| Door type | Illustrative door-only allowance | What to check before buying |
|---|---|---|
| Basic hollow-core moulded | £40 to £90 | Finish required and permitted trimming |
| Solid-core moulded | £80 to £180 | Weight, hinge requirements and surface finish |
| Unfinished oak-veneered | £100 to £250 | Suitable finishing products and edge treatment |
| Factory-finished solid-core or veneered | £130 to £300 | Whether any finishing is needed after trimming |
| Glazed interior door | £160 to £400+ | Safety glass specification and whether glass is included |
| Unglazed FD30 fire door leaf | £120 to £300+ | Certification and compatible frame, seals and hardware |
These categories overlap. An oak-veneered door might also be solid-core, factory-finished and fire-rated, so avoid treating each description as a separate quality grade.
For internal doors, compare equivalent specifications rather than photographs alone. Two similar-looking designs can differ in core construction, weight, finish and trimming allowance, all of which can affect the installed cost.
Why the cheapest leaf may not give the lowest total
An unfinished door needs preparation and a suitable coating system. A primed door generally still needs its final decorative coats. Factory-finished options can reduce decorating work, although cut edges may still need sealing or touching up according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Similarly, an inexpensive door is poor value if it cannot be trimmed sufficiently to fit your opening. Confirm the dimensions and permitted reductions before placing the order.
What does a carpenter charge for fitting?
For a straightforward replacement into a suitable existing frame, allow approximately £60 to £120 per standard hinged door for labour. A single-door visit, difficult opening or higher-cost location may attract a higher charge. Some carpenters quote by the day rather than per door.
A straightforward fitting quotation might cover removing the old leaf, trimming the replacement within its limits, cutting hinge recesses, hanging the door and fitting a basic latch and handles. However, there is no universal package, so ask for the scope in writing.
When budgeting to fit internal doors, check whether the price assumes that you supply all ironmongery. Handles, hinges, latches and bathroom locks are often separate purchases.
Door removal is also different from disposal: taking the old leaf off its hinges does not necessarily include taking it away. Decorating and repairs to the existing frame may be excluded too.
Our guide to what fitting an interior door involves helps explain the work behind a labour quotation. For budgeting, the key distinction is whether the fitter is hanging a replacement leaf or rebuilding part of the opening.
Extra costs that can change the final bill
Handles, hinges and latches
Allow roughly £20 to £60 per door for a basic hardware combination. Premium handles, privacy locks or specialist hinges can cost more. Check exactly what a handle pack contains, since a pair of handles does not necessarily include a latch or hinges.
When replacing several internal doors, use a consistent hardware specification in every quotation. Otherwise, one fitter’s total may appear cheaper simply because it excludes items another has allowed for.
New linings, architraves and frame repairs
A door lining is the timber assembly fixed within the opening; architraves cover the junction between that lining and the wall. Replacing either adds materials and labour beyond hanging the leaf.
As an initial allowance, a straightforward new lining and architrave installation could add around £150 to £350 per opening, excluding substantial plaster repairs or decoration. Treat this as a separate quoted item because opening sizes and wall condition vary considerably.
Ask the carpenter to inspect any damaged or visibly distorted frames before you order. Trying to reuse an unsuitable lining can undermine both the fit and the saving.
Painting, staining and sealing
Set aside approximately £40 to £100 per door for straightforward professional preparation and finishing, with the scope agreed in advance. Clarify whether the allowance covers both faces and all required edges, as well as materials and return visits.
For unfinished internal doors, compare the combined purchase and decorating cost against a factory-finished alternative. If you finish them yourself, follow the manufacturer’s coating instructions rather than assuming any paint or oil will be suitable.
Delivery, disposal and making good
Delivery charges depend on the supplier, order and destination. Add the actual checkout charge to your budget rather than assuming it is included. Also confirm whether old-door disposal, damaged plaster and touching up surrounding paintwork are covered.
Changed floor levels can create extra work. Tell the fitter if new carpet, underlay or flooring is being installed so that the finished floor height is considered before the doors are trimmed.
Worked example: replacing six doors
Consider six standard-sized, factory-finished doors fitted into existing linings that are in good condition. The following is an illustrative calculation, not a Doors Delivered quotation or a guaranteed installation rate.
| Item | Calculation | Allowance |
|---|---|---|
| Door leaves | 6 × £160 | £960 |
| Fitting labour | 6 × £90 | £540 |
| Handles, hinges and latches | 6 × £35 | £210 |
| Delivery | Assumed order charge | £60 |
| Old-door disposal | Assumed agreed charge | £60 |
| Total before contingency | £1,830 | |
| Optional 10% contingency | For unforeseen work | £183 |
| Planning budget including contingency | £2,013 |
Before contingency, this works out at £305 per fitted door. It excludes new linings, architraves, fire-door requirements and any additional decorating beyond the chosen factory finish.
The example shows why multiplying the leaf price by the number of internal doors gives an incomplete budget. Here, the leaves account for £960, while labour, hardware and the assumed order-level charges add another £870.
Use your own quoted figures in the same calculation. Separate per-door costs from one-off charges so that delivery or a minimum call-out fee is not accidentally counted six times.
When a standard fitting allowance is not enough
Fire doors need a separate specification
A fire-rated leaf is only one part of the required assembly. The frame, seals, hinges, latch and installation must be compatible with its tested or assessed specification. A closer or other hardware may also be required, depending on the application.
Do not assume that hanging an FD30 leaf in any existing frame creates a compliant fire door. Ask for a quotation that identifies the required components and the installation work, rather than applying the ordinary fitting allowance above.
Fire-safety requirements vary by building and UK nation. For work in England, Approved Document B provides building-regulations guidance. Your installer or building-control professional should confirm what applies to your project.
Non-standard openings and alternative mechanisms
Oversized leaves, unusual dimensions and made-to-measure work need individual pricing. For internal doors that cannot be accommodated within a standard leaf’s trimming limits, buying the nearest size can become an expensive mistake.
Pocket and sliding systems also fall outside a simple hinged-door replacement budget. Their cost may include tracks, cassettes, wall alterations and making good. Ask for a complete system quotation rather than comparing the door leaf alone with a standard hinged option.
How to reduce costs without compromising the fit
Keep sound existing frames
Retaining suitable linings and architraves avoids materials, carpentry and redecoration. Have their condition checked first, particularly where doors currently catch or have uneven gaps. The problem may be the frame rather than the old leaf.
Keeping the same opening size and a conventional hinged arrangement also helps control costs. Changes to the opening can turn a replacement job into a wider joinery and decorating project.
Compare installed totals, not discounts
A lower leaf price does not necessarily mean cheaper internal doors once finishing, hardware and fitting are included. Obtain complete figures for two or three suitable options before deciding.
If you are still narrowing the specification, our guide to choosing the right door style before you buy can help you settle on a consistent look before requesting quotations.
Ask about fitting several doors together
Batching the work may reduce repeated travel and setup time. Ask the carpenter whether there is a different per-door rate for a whole-house replacement, but do not assume a discount will apply.
Have all leaves and hardware available and checked before the appointment. Agree where materials will be stored and what access the fitter needs. A missing latch or damaged delivery can otherwise cause a second visit.
What should a supply-and-fit quotation include?
A useful quotation identifies the product, the installation scope and any exclusions. For internal doors, request these details before accepting a total:
- Door specification: Quantity, dimensions, construction, finish, glazing and any required fire rating.
- Hardware: Handles, hinges, latches, locks, seals and closers where applicable.
- Labour scope: Removal, trimming, hanging, frame work and finishing, with exclusions stated.
- Other charges: Delivery, disposal, making good and VAT where chargeable.
- Unexpected work: How additional repairs will be priced and approved before proceeding.
A photograph can help with an initial estimate, but it may not reveal a twisted lining, loose timber or an opening that is out of square. Arrange an inspection where these issues could affect the price.
If you are buying the doors separately, confirm that the fitter has approved the sizes and specification before ordering. Product availability and installation dates also need to align.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I budget for one replacement door, supplied and fitted? Around £150 to £350 is a useful starting allowance for a standard door in a suitable existing frame, including basic hardware. Higher-specification products, decorating, frame replacement and specialist installation can increase that substantially. A single-door job may also carry a minimum labour charge.
Is it cheaper to buy internal doors unfinished? Usually the leaf costs less than a comparable factory-finished version, but the completed project may not. Add coatings, preparation time and any professional decorating charge before comparing totals.
Can I reuse my existing handles and hinges? Sometimes, provided they are suitable, serviceable and compatible with the new leaf. Different thicknesses, weights or fire-door specifications may require replacement hardware. Ask the fitter before excluding these items from the budget.
What is a standard UK interior door size? One common size is 1981 × 762 × 35 mm, but there is no single size used throughout UK homes. Other widths, heights and thicknesses are common. Measure each opening and check the manufacturer’s trimming allowance rather than ordering every door from one measurement.
Can I save money by fitting the door myself? You can avoid a labour charge if you have the tools and skills, but incorrect trimming can ruin the leaf. Fire-door installation also requires particular care and conformity with the relevant specification. Include tool costs and the risk of replacement when comparing DIY with a professional quotation.
Build your budget before ordering
Start with the number of openings, have their sizes and condition checked, then total the leaves, hardware, fitting and any finishing work. Keep delivery, disposal and frame repairs visible rather than hiding them in a rough per-door estimate.
To compare purchase costs, browse the current sale selection at Doors Delivered, then confirm the product specification and your fitter’s complete quotation before ordering.
