How expensive is it to replace double windows with french doors?

Kpkwellness
by Kpkwellness
I have a pair of double-hung windows separated by an 8" casing in my master bedroom that I would LOVE to be french doors leading to the patio beyond. The exterior lower 2 feet are brick. My question is about cost DIY vs Contractor work. How difficult of a DIY job is this? How long of a project would this be? Same day as demolition to completion? Thanks in advance for any help and advice!!

  6 answers
  • ABR12234501 ABR12234501 on Feb 07, 2018

    Have you asked this question at your friendly Hardware store?

  • Pg Pg on Feb 07, 2018

    A friend just did this, and it took he and 2 part time helpers about a week to complete this. He has siding rather than brick, though. He said it is much cheaper to do it yourself, but of course you need to know how to do it properly. He is extremely good at building and fixing all kinds of things, so research the Internet for some, perhaps You Tube videos before making that decision.


    I always heard my dad say hanging a door was one of the very hardest things to get right, and you had to have it right for it to close properly, and not to lose heat.


    Best wishes to you.

  • Le' Le' on Feb 07, 2018

    Be sure rain will not splash on the french doors....Ours rotted on the bottom.

  • William William on Feb 07, 2018

    DIY is always cheaper than a contractor. No labor costs. Hard to estimate because different parts of the country have different costs. Demo, new header install, framing door opening, new door install with leveling, sealing, finishing. All about a week.

  • Ken Ken on Feb 08, 2018

    I can agree with those who have posted so far. As with most things around the home how expensive = how much can you do yourself? You can find a door price on homedepot.com. Whether it is a (relatively) easy install depends on the overall width of those two windows being the same as the French door set.


    As for rotting, wooden doors need paint maintenance. Does not matter where the door is or that it is a French door. Fiberglass doors with a PVC jamb is great if you can afford.

  • Le' Le' on Feb 08, 2018

    You can do this yourselves.....must have a reciprocating saw to cut through the brick.....that is the scariest part....my husband had a friend helping and we changed a sliding glass door to three french doors.....very beautiful...Done in one long day. Good luck.