Door Installation Services: Costs, Fitting Times and Standards
Exterior door installation across London and Surrey costs between £150 and £250 for a single composite doorset, £60 to £90 per leaf for multi-panel bifolding systems, and £300 to £500 for large sliding sets on labour-only rates, or £540/day local and £580/day extended for a 2-man trade glazier team. Standard fitting requires 3 to 5 hours for single entrance doors and 1 to 2 days for structural bifolds or large sliding systems, executed to BS 8213-4:2016 tolerances, Part M step-free threshold limits (≤ 15 mm upstand), and PAS 24:2022 multi-point security compliance.
Window Fitters Ltd operates primarily as a specialist installation subcontractor. While we offer full supply and fit packages, our core business is providing skilled, labour-only fitting teams for homeowners, builders, and main contractors who have already sourced their own doors. Whether you need a qualified trade fitter to hang a doorset you have already bought, or require a complete supply and installation for aluminium bifolds or patio sliders, we provide clear pricing and practical trade expertise across London and Surrey. Fitting an exterior door properly comes down to three essentials: taking accurate structural opening measurements, setting the frame square and plumb so locks engage without force, and sealing the perimeter so neither cold air nor driving rain gets into your home. You can view full pricing in our glazing installation cost guide or our bifold door costs guide.
A door that is badly installed will stick against the frame, drag across the cill, leak draughts through perimeter gaps, or fail to latch securely. Our fitters have years of hands-on site experience hanging composite front doors, multi-panel aluminium bifolding systems, sliding patio doors, double French casements. You can hire our teams on straightforward day rates or fixed unit prices for fitting only, or we can manage the entire order from survey through to delivery and final building control sign-off. Explore our full range of door types in our doors directory or find local door fitters for your borough.
Sourcing Flexibility: Fitting Only or Supply and Installation
You do not have to buy your door through us to use our installation service. We work flexibly to match your project setup and budget:
Installation Only (You Supply, We Fit)
If you have bought a door online, from a trade counter, or directly from fabricators like Solidor, Origin, or Schuco, you can hire our glazier teams on labour-only rates. We bring commercial glass suction lifters, optical lasers, setting blocks, and fixing anchors to hang, square, toe-and-heel, and weatherseal your door. Day rates for a 2-man glazier team are £540 to £580 per day (£540 local, £580 extended), or £150 to £250 per single doorset. Read more about our labour-only installation rates and our window fitting team options.
Sourced Trade Supply with Installation
Our surveyor visits your site to verify opening dimensions, lintels, and threshold levels before ordering. You purchase the doorset directly from trade fabricators at wholesale trade prices, bypassing retail showroom markups and saving 30 percent to 50 percent on profile costs. Our glazier team unloads, fits, and commissions the doorset. Compare procurement routes in our supply and fit vs supply only comparison.
Complete Supply and Installation Package
For complete single-point project accountability, we manage the entire process: technical survey, manufacturing scheduling with certified UK systems houses, site delivery, expert fitting, and building control certification. Backed by a 10-year guarantee covering profile integrity, glass units, and hardware performance. Request an estimate on our quote page or view our installation services.
Door Installation Pricing and Typical Fitting Times
Fitting costs vary depending on the door type, weight, glass configuration, and whether structural alterations are needed. Below are realistic UK market benchmarks for labour-only fitting and complete supply and installation packages across London and Surrey:
| Door Type and Standard Dimensions | Fitting Only Unit Rate | Supply and Installation Estimate | Typical Time on Site |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composite Front Door (900mm x 2100mm) | £150 to £250 | £1,200 to £1,900 + VAT | 3 to 4 hours |
| uPVC Back Door (glazed or panelled) | £150 to £220 | £850 to £1,350 + VAT | 2.5 to 3.5 hours |
| Double French Patio Doors (1500mm x 2100mm) | £160 to £260 | £1,450 to £2,300 + VAT | 4 to 5 hours |
| 3-Panel Aluminium Bifold Doors (3000mm x 2100mm) | £180 to £270 (£60 to £90 per leaf) | £3,200 to £4,600 + VAT | 5 to 7 hours |
| 2-Panel Inline Sliding Patio Door (2400mm x 2100mm) | £180 to £280 | £2,400 to £3,600 + VAT | 4 to 6 hours |
| High-Security Composite Entrance Doorset | £180 to £280 | £950 to £1,550 + VAT | 3 to 4 hours |
| Glass Juliet Balustrade (1100mm safety glass) | £140 to £220 | £700 to £1,050 + VAT | 1.5 to 2.5 hours |
Check our full glazing installation cost guide for broader project budgeting, day rates, and trade unit benchmarks.
How a Door Is Fitted on Site: Step by Step
A reliable door fitting follows a clear sequence that protects your home and ensures the door performs properly for decades:
1. Checking the New Door Before Removing the Old
Before removing an existing door, our fitters unpack and measure the new unit against the aperture. Once an old door is taken out, your property is open to the weather. Verifying width, height, handing, and cill projection first avoids leaving an open opening if a manufactured unit is incorrect.
2. Clean Frame Extraction
Old door jambs are cut through with reciprocating saws and levered inward away from the brickwork. This technique prevents tearing away external render, cracking brickwork reveals, or ripping plaster off interior hallway walls.
3. Bedding the Sub-Cill
The projecting sub-cill must be bedded on a continuous run of neutral-cure silicone and leveled with structural packers. If a cill is fitted dry or hollow, rainwater running down the door face will track under the frame and soak into timber floor joists or screed.
4. Outer Frame Fixing and Solid Packing
The outer frame is squared using optical lasers. Direct masonry frame fixings are installed 150mm from corners and at 600mm centres. Solid plastic packers must be inserted directly behind every hinge and lock keep receiver so the frame cannot flex when deadbolts are thrown or under forced entry attempts.
5. Diagonal Toe-and-Heel Glazing
Glass is the heaviest component in any door. If glass is packed only at the bottom, the lock side of the door will sag downward over time. Fitters brace the sealed unit diagonally from the bottom hinge corner to the top lock corner, using the rigidity of the glass to keep the door leaf square permanently.
6. Cavity Insulation and Perimeter Sealing
The gap between the frame and masonry is injected with low-expansion elastic polyurethane foam to create a draught-tight thermal seal. An external bead of Class 1 neutral-cure silicone is applied over a foam backer rod to keep driving rain out while allowing structural movement.
Building Regulations: The 50 Percent Glass Rule and LABC
Many homeowners are unsure whether replacing an external door legally requires a Building Regulations compliant certificate or Local Authority Building Control sign-off. The rules are straightforward:
The 50 Percent Glazing Rule Explained
Under UK Building Regulations, external replacement doors require Building Regulations compliant self-certification only when more than 50 percent of the total doorset surface area is glass. Products like aluminium bifold doors, sliding patio doors, and glazed French doors exceed this threshold, so they receive a formal Building Regulations Compliance Certificate. Solid composite front doors or timber doors with small decorative glazed panels have less than 50 percent glass. They do not legally mandate Building Regulations compliant registration, but they must still achieve the required insulation standards (whole-door Ud value of 1.4 W/m²K or better). Read our detailed guide on Building Regulations compliant vs Building Control certification.
When Building Control Inspection Is Mandatory
If your project involves structural alterations, such as widening an opening to fit a wider bifolding screen, cutting out brickwork beneath a window to create a French door opening, or fitting doors into a newly built extension, self-certification schemes cannot sign off the opening. These structural jobs legally require a Building Notice submitted to Local Authority Building Control (LABC) or an approved inspector to verify lintel bearing and structural calculations. Learn more about building control inspections for doors and windows.
Step-Free Thresholds (Approved Document M)
If you want a low threshold with a maximum 15mm upstand for level wheelchair or pushchair access, external drainage must be planned carefully. Low thresholds have shallower weather rebates than standard rebated cills. Installing an external linear Aco channel drain directly in front of the threshold prevents pooled rainwater from blowing under the door in high winds. See our guide to Part M low door thresholds.
Security and Safety Glass (Documents Q and K)
Accessible doorsets in new dwellings must meet PAS 24 security testing standards, including multi-point locking mechanisms, 3-star TS007 anti-snap cylinders, and Class P1A laminated glass. Toughened or laminated safety glass certified to BS EN 12600 is legally required in all doors and any sidelight within 300mm of the door edge up to 1,500mm from finished floor level. Review technical standards in our UK Building Regulations guide.
Common Door Installation Faults and How to Fix Them
Most door issues trace back to common fitting shortcuts. Understanding the root cause makes diagnosis and repair straightforward:
| Symptom or Fault | Root Cause | Trade Rectification |
|---|---|---|
| Door leaf drags on the bottom cill | Sash drop caused by missing or slipped toe-and-heel glazing packers. | Remove glazing beads, re-pack glass diagonally with bridge packers at bottom hinge and top lock corners, then fine-tune 3D hinge Allen screws. |
| Bifold doors feel heavy, jump or stick | Bottom track is unlevel or running channels are packed with dirt and grit. | Laser level the track and pack low spots. Vacuum debris from running channels and lubricate with dry PTFE spray (never grease or WD-40). |
| Key is stiff or handle is hard to lift | Outer frame pulled out of square by overtightened masonry anchors without solid packers. | Loosen receiver keep plate screws, insert solid packers behind keeps, and adjust keep position so hook bolts drop in without binding. |
| Draughts whistling around the frame edges | Hollow perimeter cavities with no expanding foam behind plastic finishing trims. | Remove internal trims and inject low-expansion elastic polyurethane foam to fill the void, then re-seal perimeter with neutral-cure sealant. |
Door Types We Install
We install all major external door systems on a labour-only or supply-and-fit basis. Explore our specific system guides:
- Bifold Door Installation
- Sliding Patio Doors
- Composite Front Doors
- French Doors
- Axorra Aluminium Entrance Doors
South West London Door Installation
We provide professional door fitting services across South West London and Surrey. View our local pages for regional information:
- South West London Door Installation
- Richmond Door Installation
- Wandsworth Door Installation
- Wimbledon Door Installation
- Kingston Door Installation
- Surrey Door Installation
Frequently Asked Questions About Door Installation
Practical answers to common technical, structural, and pricing questions regarding external door hanging, threshold details, and Building Regulations compliance across London and Surrey.
How long does it take to fit an external door? +
A standard single composite front door or uPVC entrance door takes roughly 3 to 4 hours to fit, including careful removal of the old frame, perimeter cavity insulation, and lock timing. Larger systems like double French doors take 4 to 5 hours, while a 3-panel aluminium bifolding door takes 5 to 7 hours including laser track alignment.
Can I buy my own door and just hire you to install it? +
Yes. Supplying glazier teams on labour-only rates is a core part of our business. We regularly fit client-supplied doorsets from Solidor, Origin, Door-Stop, Smart Systems, Schuco, or trade suppliers for homeowners, builders, and main contractors. Our teams arrive with commercial glass suction lifters, lasers, and fixing equipment.
Do I legally need a Building Regulations compliant certificate for a new front door? +
Only if more than 50 percent of the door's total area is glazed (such as bifold, sliding, or French doors). Standard composite front doors with small vision panels do not legally require a Building Regulations compliant certificate, though they must still meet Document L thermal standards. Widening an opening structurally always requires a Building Notice through Local Authority Building Control.
Why does a door catch on the bottom threshold after a few months? +
This is known as sash drop and happens when the glass unit is not packed diagonally (toe-and-heeled). Glass is heavy, so without bridge packers placed diagonally from the bottom hinge corner to the top lock corner, the door leaf sags out of square and catches against the cill. Correct diagonal packing holds the door permanently square.
How much does labour cost to install an exterior door in London? +
Labour rates for a standard single composite or uPVC door range from £150 to £250 per doorset. For multi-panel systems like aluminium bifolds, labour is £60 to £90 per leaf (£180 to £270 for a 3-panel door). Hiring a dedicated 2-man glazier team on a day rate costs £540 per day locally (under 15 minutes travel) or £580 per day for extended travel (15 to 45 minutes) across Greater London and Surrey, with single fitters at £260 local (£290 extended). All labour rates exclude VAT.
What is required for a step-free Part M low threshold on external doors? +
Approved Document M requires a low threshold with a maximum upstand of 15mm with chamfered edges for wheelchair and pushchair access. Because low thresholds have shallower weather rebates than standard cills, an external linear channel drain (such as an Aco drain) should be set directly in front of the door to prevent driving rain pooling and penetrating the seal.
Author & Technical Reviewer: Marian Gheorghe
Head Installer & CEO, Window Fitters Ltd
Marian Gheorghe is the Active Director and Team Leader Installer at Window Fitters Ltd. With over 15 years of hands-on experience, he oversees technical safety and UK Building Regulations compliance for all residential and commercial glazing contracts.
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"Stunning Sash Windows in Croydon"
"Marian and his team replaced our old Victorian sash windows. They were clean, fast, and the double glazing has completely blocked out the street noise. Highly recommended!"
"Excellent Bifold Doors in Bromley"
"Installed beautiful grey aluminium bifold doors for our new kitchen extension. Smooth gliding mechanism and great insulation. The best quote we got in Kent."
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"Very happy with our new composite door installation. Excellent lock security and high-quality GRP slab finish. Fast half-day fitting and no mess left behind."