A door hanging service is the professional fitting of a new door into an existing frame or lining. It involves more than simply attaching hinges and lifting the door into place.
A properly hung door should open and close smoothly, sit evenly within the frame, latch correctly and leave consistent gaps around the edges. If the frame is uneven or the door needs significant trimming, professional fitting can also prevent damage to the door, floor or surrounding architraves.
This guide explains what a typical door hanging service includes, when you need one instead of a simple adjustment, what affects the price and how to prepare for the work.
What does a professional door hanging service include?
The exact scope depends on the condition of your door opening and the type of door being fitted. However, a standard service will usually include the following stages.
Measuring the door opening and frame
The first step is checking the opening, rather than assuming a standard-sized door will fit.
A carpenter will measure:
- The height and width of the opening
- The opening at several points, not just once
- The depth of the frame or lining
- The floor clearance
- Whether the frame is square, level and plumb
- Any changes caused by carpet, flooring or thresholds
This matters particularly in older Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire homes, where frames and floors may have moved or settled over time.
Trimming the door to fit
Most doors need some trimming before they can be hung correctly. This may involve planing or cutting the edges and bottom of the door to create suitable clearance.
A professional will remove only what is needed and check the fit regularly. Over-trimming can weaken some doors, particularly hollow-core and engineered doors, and may leave too little material for the hinges or latch.
The bottom of the door may also need to follow an uneven floor. This is common where a room has thick carpet, older floorboards or a change in flooring height.
Fitting and recessing the hinges
Hinges need to be positioned accurately in both the door and the frame. The carpenter will mark their positions, cut the hinge recesses and fit the hinges securely.
Poorly positioned or incorrectly recessed hinges can cause:
- A door that rubs against the frame
- Uneven gaps
- A door that springs open
- Creaking or movement
- Screws pulling out over time
The number and type of hinges will depend on the door’s weight and use. Heavier doors, glazed doors, external doors and fire doors may require more substantial hardware.
Installing the latch, lock and handles
A door hanging service will usually include cutting the openings for the latch and fitting the strike plate into the frame. Handles, knobs or a lock can then be installed and aligned.
The hardware should be tested before the work is finished. The door should:
- Swing freely without scraping
- Close without excessive force
- Allow the latch to enter the strike plate cleanly
- Open from both sides without sticking
- Remain secure when closed
Handles, locks and other fittings may be supplied by you, supplied by the carpenter or priced separately. Confirm this before work begins.
Adjusting uneven or out-of-square frames
A door cannot work properly if the frame is badly twisted, leaning or out of square. A professional carpenter may be able to make small adjustments to the frame, hinges or door to achieve a better fit.
Possible work includes:
- Adjusting hinge depths
- Repositioning or packing hinges
- Trimming a small section of the frame
- Adjusting the strike plate
- Squaring up parts of the lining
- Adding shims where appropriate
If the frame is severely damaged or distorted, it may need to be removed and replaced. This is a larger job than standard door hanging and should be included as a separate item in the quote.
Fitting or replacing architraves
Architraves are the decorative trims around the door frame. They are not automatically included in every door hanging service.
If the existing architraves are in good condition, they may be left in place. If the frame is replaced, or if the old trims are damaged during removal, new architraves may be needed.
Always ask whether architraves are:
- Included in the quoted work
- Being removed and refitted
- Being replaced with new material
- Priced separately from the door and frame
This avoids confusion about the final finish.
When do you need door hanging rather than a simple adjustment?
A simple adjustment is usually suitable when the existing door is basically sound and the problem is minor.
A simple adjustment may be enough when:
- The door has started rubbing slightly
- A hinge screw has become loose
- The latch no longer lines up perfectly
- The strike plate needs repositioning
- The door needs a small amount of trimming
- A handle or latch feels stiff
- Seasonal movement has caused minor sticking
These jobs can often be completed without removing and refitting the entire door.
You are more likely to need a door hanging service when:
- You are fitting a new door into an existing opening
- The old door is damaged, warped or rotten
- The frame is uneven or out of square
- The door is a different size from the existing one
- You are installing a heavier glazed, fire or external door
- The hinges, latch and handles all need replacing
- The frame or architraves also need work
- The door has been trimmed incorrectly and no longer fits
If you are unsure, a carpenter can inspect the door and explain whether a small repair or a more complete refit is appropriate. Local Carpenter also takes on smaller carpentry tasks, including door adjustments and rehanging.
For more information, read our guide to common door hanging mistakes and how to avoid them.
What affects the price of a door hanging service?
There is no single fixed price because the amount of preparation can vary considerably from one doorway to another.
As a general guide, labour for a straightforward standard internal door may be around £70 to £150 per door, excluding the door and some materials. A simple opening with a sound frame will usually cost less than a door requiring extensive trimming, new hardware or frame repairs.
For wider cost guidance, you can compare current UK door fitting information from Checkatrade. Treat online figures as general guides, as local rates and job requirements vary.
The main factors affecting the quote include:
- The type and size of the door
- Whether the door is solid, glazed, fire-rated or external
- The amount of trimming required
- The condition and squareness of the frame
- Whether hinges, handles and locks are supplied
- Whether the frame needs repair or replacement
- Whether architraves need to be removed or fitted
- The condition and level of the floor
- Disposal of the old door
- The number of doors being fitted
External, fire-rated and security doors usually require more time, specialist hardware and careful installation. They should be quoted individually rather than priced in the same way as a standard internal door.
A clear quote should separate labour, doors, hardware, frames, architraves and any additional repairs.
How should you prepare for the carpenter?
A little preparation can make the appointment quicker and help you receive more accurate advice.
Before requesting a quote
Decide what you already know about the project. For example:
- Is the door internal or external?
- Is it a replacement or a new opening?
- Do you want to keep the existing frame?
- Are you supplying the door and hardware?
- Do you need new architraves?
- Is the door intended to provide fire separation or improved security?
Send photographs of the doorway if possible, including the frame, hinges, floor and any visible damage. Include your location, the number of doors and a brief description of the problem.
You can also read our guide on questions to ask before hiring a carpenter.
Before the work starts
Clear furniture and personal items from both sides of the doorway. Make sure there is enough room to remove the existing door, stand the new door safely and use tools without damaging nearby walls or flooring.
If flooring, carpet or decorating work is planned, tell the carpenter before the door is trimmed. The finished floor level can affect the required clearance.
At the end of the job
Ask the carpenter to demonstrate that the door opens, closes and latches correctly. Check the gaps around the door and confirm that the handles and locks operate smoothly.
Any small adjustment is easier to address before the carpenter leaves.
Choose the right level of work for your door
A professional door hanging service is suitable when a new door needs accurate measuring, trimming, hinge fitting and hardware installation. It is also the right option where the frame is uneven or the finishing trims need attention.
For a door that is already fitted but has developed a minor fault, a simple adjustment may be all that is required. An inspection will help you avoid paying for unnecessary work while ensuring that a larger underlying problem is not overlooked.
Local Carpenter provides door hanging, adjustments and repairs across Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire. We take on jobs of all sizes and provide straightforward advice, clear pricing and fully insured workmanship.
If your door is sticking, damaged or ready for replacement, contact Local Carpenter for advice and a free, no-obligation quote. You can also call 07865 654 444 or email info@localcarpenter.co.uk.