Price to install a service door

[WM75Guy]

The $299 is the old bait and switch price. Not only is it high but you probably won't like the finished product. What I have seen is someone that works 1 or 2 days a week at the ripoff prices that you were quoted. If the contractor is any good he should be booked far into the future. Afterwards Lowes will deny any responsibility for the work and claim the installer was your independent contractor, contact him for warranty work. The independent contractor has a contract with Lowes to provide 1 year of warranty.

 

[MossRoad]

$800 - 299 - 250 - 175 leaves $76 to haul the old door away? Really? Keep it. Use if for a work surface in the shop/barn/garage/basement.

And what kind of door are you looking at for $380? I've never paid more than $150, but I haven't looked in a lot of years.

Exterior doors, especially front entrance doors, can go into the thousands with ease.

 

[ultrarunner]

Yep... 10k and took the neighbors waiting 6 months for the 2.25 x 32 x 96 panel oak entry doors...

They put it off for years and said let's get it done the price had just about doubled in 5 years with hardware, etc...plus 6 weeks was 6 months which became 8 months!

 

[BravoXray]

However, I can confirm I am cheap, so I'd do it myself, in the spring, when it's warm. Brrrrr, you're supposed to get some lake effect here soon, aren't you?

Well, the GF decided the breezeway needed to be painted, NOW, and so she pulled off all the trim, tore up the old linoleum (which was pretty bad) and since the threshold is bad, it has to be fixed to be able to put down new flooring. So since the seal is bad on the door, the wood trim is getting pretty bad too, maybe I'll just replace the whole door and casing. So, yes, it's kind of cold to be doing it now, but it should only take an hour or two.
Aaaah, we might get some snow, maybe, sort of.
When I see it, I'll believe it.

Edit: After surveying the project with my CSOB (Cheap SOB) eyes, I may just replace the threshold and see about a new door seal to get it through to spring or summer, then decide on what to do from there. The only problem I see, is that I haven't geen able to find a direct replacement magnetic seal for such an old door. I may have to resort to a magnetic seal set in a wood strip that I can nail to the casing.
We'll see.
Stay tuned.

 

[BravoXray]

$800 - 299 - 250 - 175 leaves $76 to haul the old door away? Really? Keep it. Use if for a work surface in the shop/barn/garage/basement.

And what kind of door are you looking at for $380? I've never paid more than $150, but I haven't looked in a lot of years.

Here is the door.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Masonite-H...x-80-in-Actual-33-5-in-x-81-625-in/1000054563

I don't think you could get a chunk of good plywood and hinges for $150 anymore.

 

[MossRoad]

Hahaha!!! My wife wanted the bathroom 'freshened up'.


$$$$$$$$

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Years ago, I was a contractor for one of those big box stores. That $299 install had to cover: 1) coming out to the site to measure / inspect the job. 2) order the door / install materials. 3) wait, then wait some more for the materials to come in. 4) get the call that materials came in, then schedule an appointment time with the customer. 5) go to the store to pick up the materials (if your lucky everything will be there, if not.... start over with step 2 again). 6) go install the new door (hopefully no unforeseen problems occur). 7) get rid of scrap materials.

Then consider that the $299 is what the customer gets charged.... The contractor may see $175--200 of that charge.

So, the contractor has to pay for his time, gas, truck maint., insurance, etc...
All said and done, he might make $75-100 for the job. Some jobs were very simple and easy to do... some were nothing but trouble, so the profit goes way down quickly. The contractor is getting paid 'flat rate'.

I did not do it full time, only "filling in" between real jobs, just to keep busy (why not?).... Well, after 6 months, it really wasn't worth it (Profit wise).

These days, I wouldn't trust any of the installers working for the big box stores.....

Do it yourself for sure!

 

[WM75Guy]

Here is the door.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Masonite-H...x-80-in-Actual-33-5-in-x-81-625-in/1000054563

I don't think you could get a chunk of good plywood and hinges for $150 anymore.

We love the blinds in the door. No dust. We have 1 door like that and our 3 section patio door has inside blinds full length in all 3 sections.

 

[5030]

Heck, you and Mossy7 live close to each other. PM him and maybe he can come over and give you a hand. I hear he works for food anyway...lol

 

[PILOON]

I've been there done that.
Like,
Client will supply the door, it comes 2" too wide!
Or too tall!
Then there is a overhead structure preventing closure.
Or the walls are out of plumb so door can't close.
And we then have a fight to get paid!

Glad to be retired!

But now to find good and reasonable workers, LOL.
OK, I'm lucky as I transferred all my client base to a good, (competent) nice neighbor lad that will always be appreciative and help me out.