Summary: How much do French doors cost, average French door installation costs and average French door prices.
The dilemma of any DIY project is whether to take on the task and do the job yourself or find a pro. Take a realistic approach and don’t try projects that are beyond your skills. A new set of French doors may sound like a simple task, but you have to consider the overall cost of the project. If it is a new job where you are effectively going to make a large hole in one of your walls and replace it with glass, you need to get someone in who knows what they are doing.
Average Cost
| Job | Average Cost | Updated | Quote |
| Installation (Labour) | £600 – £1,500 | 2019 | n/a |
| French doors | £150 – £2,500 | 2019 | n/a |
| French doors and installation | £1000 – £3,500 | 2019 | n/a |
Factors to Consider
Installing French doors from scratch will almost certainly require a registered professional to do the job for you as building regulations require complete double glazed units to be checked or regulated by FENSA once they are installed. This is a fairly new requirement and many people are not aware that something as simple as putting in a set of French doors will need this legal documentation. Window fitters will be able to supply FENSA approved units and the corresponding documents to make sure your new doors have paperwork to confirm their energy rating and efficiency.
Replacing like with like may not come under the same regulations if you are only changing the doors and the not a pre-existing frame. Single glazed doors are sometimes not governed by the same rules and regulations, but if you are in any doubt about your particular circumstances, check with a FENSA registered fitter to see where you stand. Any reputable tradesman that you approach for a quote will be able to answer your questions and advise you accordingly. If you decide to sell your house in the future, you may be asked to provide the documents for any replacement doors or windows and provide evidence of their energy efficiency rating.
Costs to consider
The average cost for a decent set of French doors is anything from about £1,000 upwards, plus installation. You can find cheaper options and budget ranges of doors but the build quality will not be to the same standards as more expensive units.
Wooden frames with double glazed windows cost more than all PVC-U sealed units and if you need to have the doors custom made to certain specifications, the price will be much higher. Bespoke French doors may be necessary in an old building with unusually structured walls or a house that is within a conservation area where double glazing and PVC-U windows may not be allowed.
When budgeting for your project, weigh up all these considerations as installing French doors is rarely as easy and uncomplicated as you might think. There will most likely be extra work and remedial tidying up once the doors are in and that could even include a spot of redecorating inside on the wall concerned.
You could source the doors and buy them yourself as it may work out cheaper than asking a tradesman to provide the unit and do the work as well. Sometimes, a fitter may be able to find the doors cheaper for you than one of the major retailers, so shop around extensively and ask how much it would cost your fitter to get the doors you want.
Alternatively, if you purchase your French doors from a DIY outlet ask if there are any installation offers or promotions running. These aren’t always advertised so there’s no harm in asking.
French doors in a completely new position will almost certainly need to have a load bearing lintel fitted. The brickwork needs to be removed first, or if there is already a window where you want to put French doors, don’t assume that there is a suitable lintel because surprisingly, some houses do not have them above every door and window.
Replacing or fitting a lintel plus the associated demolition and reconstruction costs could set you back an additional £400 to £500 on top of the cost of installing the doors. When you shop around for building quotes make sure that you get an accurate price for everything that needs to be done, including extra work like this.
A builder, joiner or window fitter will charge upwards of £50 an hour or he may have a special day rate or fixed rate for particular jobs such as French door fitting. The price varies considerably depending on which part of the country you live in and if you are in a city or remote area.