The short answer
Fitting-only labour for a composite front door in the UK typically costs around £200 to £600, with a straightforward like-for-like replacement into an existing opening often around £200 to £350. This covers a tradesperson removing the old door, fitting and aligning the new door and frame, sealing it against the weather and fixing the trims. It assumes you have already bought the door supply-only. The figure rises if the frame needs replacing, the threshold needs levelling, scaffolding is required, or the opening needs altering. Rates also vary by region, tending to be higher in London and the south-east.
Fitting-only is the labour to install a door you have supplied; the cost depends on the complexity of the job and your region rather than on the door itself.
Quick reference
- Like-for-like fitting£200–£350
- With frame replacement£300–£600
- TimeA few hours to a day
- RegionHigher in London / south-east
What fitting-only costs
Fitting-only, sometimes called labour-only or supply-and-fix-excluding-supply, is the cost of a tradesperson installing a door you have bought separately. The table shows indicative 2026 UK ranges for guidance; the actual figure depends on the job's complexity and your location.
A simple like-for-like replacement, where the new door fits the existing opening and the frame is sound or supplied with the door, is the lowest-cost. Replacing the frame, altering the threshold, dealing with awkward access, or making good around the opening adds labour. Some fitters charge a day rate, others a fixed price per door, so it is worth confirming how the quote is structured.
| Scenario | Typical fitting-only cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Like-for-like, existing frame | £200–£350 | Slab and frame supplied, simple swap |
| With new frame fit | £300–£500 | Removing and fitting frame too |
| Threshold / making good | £400–£600 | Levelling, plastering, sealing |
| Awkward access / scaffold | Add cost | Upper floors, restricted access |
Indicative UK labour-only figures for guidance. Sources: Checkatrade and MyJobQuote composite door cost guides.
What the fitting work involves
Fitting a composite front door properly involves several steps that justify the labour cost:
- Removing the old door and, where needed, the old frame, and disposing of them.
- Preparing the opening so the new frame sits square and level.
- Fitting and aligning the door and frame, ensuring the door swings and closes correctly.
- Adjusting the hardware so the multipoint lock engages cleanly and the door seals shut.
- Weather-sealing the frame with silicone and fitting internal and external trims.
Correct alignment and sealing are what stop a composite door from sticking, dropping or letting in draughts, so the labour is not just hanging a slab; it is setting the door up to work reliably and securely for years.
What can add to the labour
Several things push fitting-only costs above the basic range. Replacing the frame as well as the slab adds time, as does levelling or rebuilding a threshold for an accessible low entrance. If the old door was fitted into deteriorated brickwork, making good the reveals adds plastering or repair work. Awkward access, such as an upper-floor flat or a restricted approach, can mean scaffolding or extra handling.
Because the door is supplied separately, the fitter is not responsible for the product, only the installation. This split is worth bearing in mind: if a problem arises, it may be unclear whether the door or the fitting is at fault, whereas a single fitted quote keeps one company accountable for both. Confirm with the fitter that they are happy to install a door you have supplied, as some prefer to supply their own to retain that accountability.
Is fitting-only worth it?
Fitting-only makes sense if you can buy the door cheaper supply-only than an installer would charge within a fitted quote, and you are confident measuring it correctly, since a made-to-measure door ordered to the wrong size is rarely returnable. It also suits situations where you already have a trusted tradesperson, or where the door is part of a wider renovation a builder is handling.
Against that, you take on the measuring risk and lose the single point of accountability. The fitting labour you pay separately is often similar to what an installer would include in a fitted price, so the saving comes mainly from buying the door more cheaply, not from the fitting itself. Whoever fits the door, replacement external doors must meet thermal and safety glazing standards, and a fitter registered with FENSA or an equivalent scheme can self-certify the glazing even on a door you supplied; check this when booking, as not all labour-only fitters offer it. Get the fitting quote itemised, confirm what is and is not included, and make sure the measuring and the door specification are right before ordering, so the fitter can install a correctly sized door without complications.
Frequently asked questions
Will a fitter install a door I supplied?
Many will, but some prefer to supply their own door to keep accountability for both the product and the fit. Confirm when booking, and check whether they can still self-certify the glazing through FENSA or a similar scheme.
How long does fitting a front door take?
A like-for-like replacement into an existing opening usually takes a few hours to a day for one fitter. Replacing the frame, altering the threshold or making good around the opening adds time.
Does fitting-only save money?
The saving comes mainly from buying the door more cheaply supply-only, not from the fitting itself, which is often similar to what a fitted quote includes. You also take on the measuring risk and lose single-point accountability.
Sources & further reading
- Checkatrade — door installation cost guide
- MyJobQuote — composite door fitting cost
- FENSA — replacement window and door rules
Figures on this page are typical UK ranges drawn from published sources and depend on your specific door and opening. They are guidance, not a quotation.