Door Installation Perth

A standard internal door takes 60-90 minutes to install when the frame is in reasonable condition. That includes removing the old door, checking the frame for square and shimming if needed, cutting hinge recesses, hanging the new door, fitting the latch and handles, and making final adjustments. If the frame needs significant correction or replacement, add 30-60 minutes. External and security doors take 2-3 hours due to weatherseal fitting and multi-point lock alignment.

Yes—that’s exactly what proper door installation involves. Most Perth homes have door frames that have settled out of square by 3-10mm, particularly in older double-brick or limestone block construction. We pack shims behind the jamb to bring it back to plumb and square, then hang the door to the corrected opening. Frames beyond 15mm out may need replacement rather than shimming, which we’ll identify at the quote stage.

We can do either. Most jobs are supply-and-install: we source the door to your spec (hollow-core, solid-core, hardwood, security screen, etc.), deliver it, and install it. If you’ve already purchased a door and just need it fitted, we charge a labour-only rate of $180-$280 per door depending on complexity. That assumes the door is the right size for the opening—if it needs significant modification, we’ll quote accordingly.

Hollow-core doors are lightweight with a timber frame around a cardboard honeycomb core. They’re adequate for bedrooms and hallways where noise isn’t a concern, cost $80-$150 to supply, and are easy to handle. Solid-core doors have a particleboard or engineered timber core, offering better sound dampening (around 30dB vs 20dB for hollow-core), a more substantial feel when closing, and better durability. They cost $200-$350 per door and are the right choice for home offices, media rooms, or master bedrooms where you want to reduce noise bleed.

Indicative pricing: hollow-core internal door (supply & install) is $280-$380 per door; solid-core internal is $420-$550; standard external entry door is $800-$1,400; security door is $650-$1,100. Labour-only (customer-supplied door) is $180-$280 per door. All quotes are fixed-price and include frame prep, shimming, hardware, and final adjustments. Add $150-$350 if the frame needs replacement, or $80-$150 for painting/staining.

Yes—without a compression weatherseal, external doors lose 30-40% of their insulation value and let draughts, dust, and insects through. We install compression seals to the jamb and threshold on every external door, aligned so the seal compresses evenly when the door closes. On security doors, the weatherseal also reduces rattle noise from wind. Expect weatherseals to last 5-7 years before needing replacement.

Timber doors swell and shrink with humidity changes—Perth’s climate swings between 10°C winter nights and 40°C summer days cause noticeable movement. We plane doors with seasonal clearance in mind: slightly more than the standard 2mm in summer to allow for winter swelling, and fitting tighter in winter to prevent summer gaps. Solid-core and hardwood doors move more than hollow-core due to higher timber content. If a door is installed in mid-summer and fits perfectly, expect it to feel slightly tighter in winter—that’s normal and why clearance spacing matters.

Yes—heritage homes often have out-of-square hardwood frames that can’t be easily replaced without damaging original architraves and skirtings. We custom-plane the new door to fit the existing opening, maintaining the home’s character while ensuring smooth operation. On federation-era homes (1900s-1920s), original door frames may be jarrah or karri and still structurally sound despite being visually worn. We’ll advise whether the frame can be retained or needs replacement at the quote stage.