Use this playbook to quote slab or prehung interior door replacement with hinge prep, hardware, casing touchup, and adjustment work spelled out clearly.
Bedroom, bathroom, closet, and hallway door jobs where jamb condition, trim, and hardware can change the real labor.
3/11/2026
1 min read
Start With The Right Scope
Begin with the details that shape the job before you ever talk price. This is the information that keeps the quote grounded in real conditions.
Measurements Needed
- Door width, height, thickness, and swing direction.
- Whether the job is slab-only or full prehung replacement.
- Jamb condition, floor clearance, and casing condition.
- Hardware type, lockset requirements, and paint or finish expectations.
Scope Checklist
- State whether the quote is for a slab swap or full prehung door replacement.
- Clarify if existing hinges and hardware are reused or replaced.
- Include casing removal, reset, or touchup if part of scope.
- Note whether paint, caulking, and finish work are included.
- Explain what happens if the opening is out of square or the jamb is damaged.
- Include cleanup and final swing or latch adjustment in the scope.
Client Questions To Answer
- Is this quote for a slab swap or a full prehung replacement?
- Does the price include new hardware and trim touchup?
- What happens if the jamb or opening needs correction?
- Is paint or finish work part of the approved scope?
Build The Quote Clearly
A stronger quote usually comes from showing your logic clearly. Use the right line items, account for labor and materials honestly, and make your markup easy to defend.
Recommended Line Items
These are the line items worth calling out so the quote feels complete and defendable.
| Category | Line Item | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| materials | Door slab or prehung door package | Keep the base door package visible so upgrades are easy to price. |
| materials | Hinge and hardware package | Include latch, knob, privacy hardware, or dummy sets when needed. |
| labor | Removal and prep labor | Include old-door removal and protection of nearby finishes. |
| labor | Fitment and installation labor | Hinge routing, latch prep, and reveal adjustment should be priced in. |
| materials | Trim, shims, and finish materials | Small materials add up quickly on door jobs. |
| allowances | Jamb or opening correction allowance | Useful when the existing frame may be out of square or damaged. |
Labor Considerations
- Prehung swaps usually take more time than slab swaps because trim and frame alignment come into play.
- Old homes often have openings that are not square, which increases fitment labor.
- Hardware and latch alignment can turn a fast-looking job into careful finish work.
Materials Considerations
- Door style, core type, and hardware finish can change the package price meaningfully.
- Trim touchup materials and shims are easy to miss in smaller quotes.
Markup Guidance
- Keep labor margin on door fitment because adjustment time is where these jobs stretch.
- Price upgraded hardware or premium doors as visible add-ons so the base quote stays easy to approve.
Protect Margin And Set Expectations
The job gets easier to manage when the client understands payment, timing, and what can shift. This is where most awkward surprises can be prevented.
Common Misses
- Quoting the door but not the hardware package.
- Forgetting trim touchup or paint scope.
- Treating an out-of-square opening like a minor issue.
- Not clarifying slab versus prehung scope in writing.
Payment Schedule Options
- Full payment on completion for stock-door replacement work.
- Deposit plus final payment for special-order doors or larger trim-scope jobs.
Timeline Factors
- Lead time on door style, handing, and hardware finish.
- Opening condition once the old door is removed.
- Paint or finish work if included in the quote.
Field Notes
Interior door jobs get underquoted when they are treated like a simple swap. The real time is usually in fitment, hardware, and making the new door behave properly in an old opening.
A stronger quote tells the client whether they are buying a slab change, a frame correction, or both.
FAQ
Should door replacement quotes separate slab and prehung installs?
Yes. They are different scopes with different labor and trim implications, so the quote should make that distinction obvious.
Why should hardware be called out separately in a door quote?
Because locksets, hinges, and privacy hardware can change both material cost and install time enough to justify their own line.