We speak as professional DIYers *irony*: >We are currently in the learning phase where everything always ends up being much more expensive than expected, and online research doesn’t necessarily provide realistic prices – or does it?
“Problem”: We probably underestimated the cost for interior doors, at least if we want to buy them locally in stores instead of online. The dimensions are standard, 3 times 198.5x86 cm (78.1x33.9 inches) and 2 times 198.5x73 cm (78.1x28.7 inches).
The current doors are 22 years old, still in good condition apart from the door handles, but they have an orange tint that we don’t like visually. The existing laminate flooring (also brownish-orange) matches the doors but probably no longer fits our idea of a new floor.
The owner once suggested the idea of only replacing the door panels, but then the frames would not match the color of the doors anymore, right? We want white door panels or doors in a light wood finish.
Anyway, based on some online research, we thought that for about 120 euros (around $130), you could definitely get good door panels, especially since there are appealing doors online for around 70 euros (about $75) at first glance.
In a local specialist store, we nearly had a heart attack, as even the simplest white doors including the frame and handle barely cost less than 500 euros (about $540).
Or were we simply looking in an overpriced store?
We cannot replace frames ourselves. We have a trained carpenter among our acquaintances who once agreed to help us. We initially thought that replacing 5 door frames, door panels, and handles would take about 2 hours? Probably another miscalculation?
If we were to have the doors fully installed by a professional, based on your experience, what would be a rough estimate for 5 doors?
We originally didn’t want to order online because we thought: the doors might not fit afterward, complaints and returns might be much more complicated than buying locally, sometimes extremely high shipping costs, etc. But since these are basically standard sizes, given the local prices and our miscalculation, we are now uncertain whether we should consider ordering doors, frames, and so on online after all?
“Problem”: We probably underestimated the cost for interior doors, at least if we want to buy them locally in stores instead of online. The dimensions are standard, 3 times 198.5x86 cm (78.1x33.9 inches) and 2 times 198.5x73 cm (78.1x28.7 inches).
The current doors are 22 years old, still in good condition apart from the door handles, but they have an orange tint that we don’t like visually. The existing laminate flooring (also brownish-orange) matches the doors but probably no longer fits our idea of a new floor.
The owner once suggested the idea of only replacing the door panels, but then the frames would not match the color of the doors anymore, right? We want white door panels or doors in a light wood finish.
Anyway, based on some online research, we thought that for about 120 euros (around $130), you could definitely get good door panels, especially since there are appealing doors online for around 70 euros (about $75) at first glance.
In a local specialist store, we nearly had a heart attack, as even the simplest white doors including the frame and handle barely cost less than 500 euros (about $540).
Or were we simply looking in an overpriced store?
We cannot replace frames ourselves. We have a trained carpenter among our acquaintances who once agreed to help us. We initially thought that replacing 5 door frames, door panels, and handles would take about 2 hours? Probably another miscalculation?
If we were to have the doors fully installed by a professional, based on your experience, what would be a rough estimate for 5 doors?
We originally didn’t want to order online because we thought: the doors might not fit afterward, complaints and returns might be much more complicated than buying locally, sometimes extremely high shipping costs, etc. But since these are basically standard sizes, given the local prices and our miscalculation, we are now uncertain whether we should consider ordering doors, frames, and so on online after all?
A paint roller is a disposable item and can be found in any hardware store. Someone in your circle of acquaintances should probably have an orbital sander, as it’s a Black & Decker product priced around 49.90.
We once had real mahogany veneer doors with dark brown metal frames. The doors were too nice to throw away, but the frames were too dark. So, we did the same thing. Changing from dark brown to white required three coats. We used high gloss paint, and it still turned out well—and it’s enjoyable. Truly, making something look nice is fun.
We once had real mahogany veneer doors with dark brown metal frames. The doors were too nice to throw away, but the frames were too dark. So, we did the same thing. Changing from dark brown to white required three coats. We used high gloss paint, and it still turned out well—and it’s enjoyable. Truly, making something look nice is fun.
11ant schrieb:
I don’t see any need for new doors at all, just new door handles and locks. For purely cosmetic renovations, there are specialists like Meister Portas and others. Nowadays, so many things are wrapped or laminated, even brand new windows.I’ve never heard of that before, but I’ll gladly add it to my list of good tips that you often get here.
There really is so much out there...
I estimate that replacing all the doors on the upper floor will cost us well over 1000 euros for new materials plus installation, disposal of the old doors, and labor to remove the old materials first. If you can have this done much cheaper by a specialist in door makeovers, that is certainly a worthwhile option...
Mizit schrieb:
I have never heard of that before, but I’m gladly adding it to my list of useful tips that you always get here.I have known about Meister Portas since I was a child, so about forty years ago. Back then, the company converted old panel doors into the smooth flat doors that are still commonly used today (and they advertised that you could get the "new" door back within a few days—picked up and installed, of course). They still exist, and competitors probably offer similar services. Just Google door renovation.
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
L
Lucy Westenraa27 Feb 2017 16:53I just searched for experiences with Meister Portas and requested their renovation door info package from their website. At first glance, however, I don’t think it’s worth it. It seems that the cost per door leaf and per renovation can easily be around €150 or more.
"Mizit schrieb:
That’s a good observation to start with[/I]
“Problem”: We seem to have underestimated the costs for interior doors, at least if we want to buy them locally rather than online. The sizes are pretty standard: three times 198.5x86 cm (78 x 34 inches) and twice 198.5x73 cm (78 x 29 inches).
That can definitely happen quickly; I’m often surprised by things I don’t know well.
The current doors are 22 years old, still in fairly good condition apart from the lever handles, but they have an orange tint that we don’t like visually. The current laminate flooring (also brownish-orange) matches the doors, but probably not our idea of new flooring.
Depending on the type, the doors might all still last or another equivalent period.
The owner once suggested maybe just swapping the door panels, but then the frames wouldn’t match the new door color, right? We want white door panels or ones with a light wood finish.
Since it’s a rental apartment, I can understand your wish to “save.”
Anyway, based on some online research, we thought that good door panels would cost about 120 euros (about $130), considering we even saw appealing door panels for around 70 euros (about $75) online at first glance.
“Online” without detailed knowledge can be risky
At a local specialist store, we nearly had a heart attack, as even the simplest white doors including frame and handles were rarely under 500 euros (about $530).
A price around 500 € for a standard interior door is quite realistic. The “shock” likely comes from the online research.
Or did we just visit an overpriced store?
I don’t think so.
We can’t replace the frames ourselves. We have a trained carpenter among our acquaintances who said he could help. Originally, we thought replacing five frames, door panels, and handles would take about 2 hours. Probably another miscalculation?
Oh yes, totally wrong — in an older building, it can easily take those 2 hours just for one door.
If we have a professional install all the doors, what would you estimate for five doors based on your experience?
At least 85 € (about $90) per door, plus VAT.
We didn’t want to order online originally because we thought: the fit might not be right, returns could be complicated, there might be very high shipping costs, etc. But since these are basically standard sizes, and considering the local prices and our miscalculations, we’re now unsure if we shouldn’t just order doors, frames, etc. online after all?
Good thinking.Similar topics