How Much Does Widening a Doorway Cost in 2025?

Cost Factors for Widening a Doorway 

The cost of widening a doorway depends on several factors, including the price of the door, labor costs, and any repairs you need to make as part of the remodeling project. Exterior door installation costs more than interior doors, and double doors cost about twice as much in materials and labor. 

Cost of a New Door

A new interior door costs anywhere from $30 to $600 in most cases for materials alone. Hollow core doors are the least expensive, while solid wood and accent doors cost the most. Expect to pay toward the higher end of each price range for wider doors to fit wider doorways for accessibility. 

Hollow Core

Most hollow-core doors cost between $30 and $240. They’re cheaper, lighter, and less durable, making them best suited for low-traffic areas. They’re called hollow-core doors because they’re usually made with a wood or medium-density fiberboard (MDF) shell filled with honeycomb cardboard. 

Solid Core

Unlike hollow-core doors, solid-core doors are made from a solid core of MDF, engineered wood, or foam with a wood veneer. This makes them stronger and heavier, providing better noise insulation and fire protection for higher-traffic areas like bedrooms. Expect to pay $60 to $330 for a solid-core door.  

Slab

Slab doors can be made from wood, steel, or fiberglass and come without frames, hinges, or other hardware. They cost $30 to $300 on their own, and because they lack hardware, they may be more expensive to install. 

Solid Wood

Made of real wood, solid wood doors cost between $150 and $850 each. They are more expensive than hollow-core or solid-core doors, but they offer improved sound-dampening and heat insulation. Prices vary based on the type and quality of the wood.

Specialty Doors

Specialty doors will cost more to install in your home, both in terms of labor and materials. They often have specialized hardware or specific installation requirements.

• Pocket door installation costs $450 to $3,300. These doors slide into empty wall space, meaning anything in the way must first be removed and replaced. 

• French door installation costs $400 to $2,000, depending on the number of glass panels.

• Interior double doors without glass cost $170 to $1,200, not including installation. They’re a popular choice for pantries, bedrooms, and closets. 

• Sliding doors cost $300 to $4,000 to install. Glass doors tend to be more expensive. Barn door installation costs are similar. 

New Door Frame Cost

A big part of the cost of widening doorways comes from cutting the larger wall opening and reframing it. On average, carpenters may charge $250 to $400 for this job. Replacing an interior door frame costs $7 to $14 per linear foot, which takes two to three hours. 

Door trim or door casing costs $2 to $4 per linear foot or up to $155 per door. Door casing refers to the trim nailed to the drywall around the sides of the door to create the appearance of an aesthetically pleasing frame. 

Type of Wall

When cutting a larger doorway, the type of wall—load-bearing or non-load-bearing—makes a big difference. If it is a load-bearing wall, you may need to make structural changes to accommodate the wider opening. Hiring a structural engineer costs $70 to $250 per hour. 

Drywall Repairs

When installing a wider interior door, you will likely be cutting into the existing drywall to create a larger opening. Patching up the exposed wall adds to your total cost of widening a doorway. When hiring a local handyperson, basic drywall repair costs $50 to $80 per square foot. 

Plumbing Repairs

If widening a doorway involves moving or modifying existing pipes, you may need a plumber to assist with the project. The typical cost to hire a plumber ranges from $45 to $200 per hour, not including the cost of supplies. 

Electrical Repairs

Similar to plumbing repairs, widening a doorway may call for modifications to any electrical components hidden in the wall you are cutting. This may include moving electrical wiring, relocating light switches and power outlets, and other modifications. The cost of hiring an electrician is between $50 and $100 per hour, plus parts and materials. 

Labor

Local contractors may charge $30 to $80 per hour, plus call-out fees, to widen a doorway and install a new door. Installing an average door takes one to three hours. Expect the job to take longer with wider doors in newly widened doorways, as the contractor will need more time to replace the door frame and complete other repairs. You may also need to budget for the cost to hire a painter to finish the project. 

Typical labor costs to widen doorways for wheelchair access are detailed in the table below. 

Does Widening a Doorway Increase Home Value?

Home accessibility modifications, like widening doorways, are more than just functional improvements. They also represent strategic investments that may impact your property’s marketability and overall value. Widening a doorway for disability access demonstrates a forward-thinking design that appeals to several potential buyers, including multigenerational families, aging-in-place homeowners, and people with mobility challenges.

Homeowners may see a return on investment of around 50% of the cost of widening a doorway for wheelchair access. This is especially promising in markets with aging populations or areas with high concentrations of retirees. Potential buyers may appreciate the potential for aging in place or accommodating family members with changing mobility needs. Widened doorways can also add aesthetic appeal to your living space.

Budgeting for Widening a Doorway

Strategic planning with cost-saving techniques can help you manage the cost of widening doorways while creating a more functional and accessible living space: 

• Obtain detailed estimates from at least three local home remodeling pros to compare pricing and the scope of work required. 

• Choose standard-width accessibility doors rather than custom doors to reduce material and labor costs.

• Check for accessibility grants from local, state, and federal programs that may provide financial assistance to veterans, seniors, and individuals with disabilities.

• Combine your door widening project with other home improvements to negotiate for a package discount with contractors.

• Opt for durable, mid-range materials that provide long-term functional value rather than premium aesthetic upgrades.

• Consult a tax professional about possible medical expense deductions or home improvement tax credits. 

How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data

No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.