Introduction

Interior door jobs look simple but go sideways fast: wrong handing, tight reveals, or a latch that never quite hits. This guide shows what to measure, why it matters, and how to install doors that swing true, seal properly, and pass inspection. You’ll get practical tolerances, code notes, and pricing benchmarks for 2025. We’ll also show how to capture opening data and generate clean proposals faster using Donizo, so you reduce admin time and avoid rework.

Table of Contents

• Key Takeaways
• Measure And Hand Doors Correctly
• Select Door Types And Hardware That Last
• Install For Plumb, Quiet, Code-Compliant Results
• Finish, Seal, And Tune For Durability
• Pricing, Time, And Documentation That Protects You
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Conclusion

Key Takeaways

• Accurate openings data prevents extra trips. Typical install time is 1.5–2.5 hours per prehung interior door; measuring errors often add 2–4 hours of rework.
• Solid-core interior doors improve sound isolation by roughly 3–5 STC points versus hollow-core, helping reduce complaints in bedrooms and offices.
• Aim for consistent reveals: 2–3 mm (about 1/8 inch) on the head and strike side, and 10–15 mm (3/8–5/8 inch) undercut for airflow, especially at bathrooms.
• Industry data shows 2025 U.S. pricing commonly ranges from $250–$650 per opening (materials and labor), depending on core, casing, paint, and hardware.
• Use Donizo to voice-capture opening specs and photos, generate a branded proposal, collect an e-signature, and convert to an invoice in one click.

Measure And Hand Doors Correctly

Accurate measurements and correct handing avoid chargebacks, returns, and delays.

Problem

Common failures include ordering the wrong handing, missing jamb depth, or not mapping hinge locations for slab swaps. Each mistake can trigger returns and 1–2 extra site visits, extending a one-day job into several.

Solution

• Opening size: Measure the finished frame (inside jamb to jamb) width and height. Note the largest dimension; old frames are seldom perfectly square.
• Jamb depth: For typical 2x4 walls with half-inch drywall both sides, order 4-9/16 inch jambs. For 2x6, order 6-9/16 inch jambs. Confirm any tile, paneling, or plaster thickness.
• Handing and swing: Stand on the push side. Hinges left = left-hand; hinges right = right-hand. Note inswing or outswing.
• Slab-only replacement: Map hinge locations from the head and hinge edge, hinge sizes (often 3.5 inch interior), backset (commonly 2-3/8 inch), and latch bore diameters.
• Clearance goals: Plan 2–3 mm head/strike reveals and 10–15 mm undercut for airflow. Bathrooms especially benefit from a 12–15 mm undercut to help exhaust fans.
• Accessibility: U.S. accessibility guidelines often target a 32 inch clear opening; a 2 ft 10 in door (34 inch) is a practical path to achieving this after trim and stop.

Detail: Rough Openings vs. Finished Frames

If replacing with prehung, confirm rough opening sits roughly 2 inches wider and 1 inch taller than the nominal door to allow shims, or verify there’s enough play for plumb within the finished frame.

Example

A crew surveyed a 10-door condo. Using voice notes and photos in Donizo, they logged each opening’s width, height, jamb depth, and handing. The proposal captured two bathroom undercuts at 15 mm and one office door at 34 inch to reach a 32 inch clear. Result: no returns, and installation finished one half-day earlier than planned.

Select Door Types And Hardware That Last

Right materials and hardware reduce noise complaints, warping, and callbacks.

Problem

Mismatched cores, wrong jamb depths, or non-rated doors at garage entries lead to failures and forced replacements. Low-quality hinges sag over time, and privacy locks in damp bathrooms corrode.

Solution

• Core choice: Solid-core doors typically improve sound by 3–5 STC points versus hollow-core, a noticeable difference for bedrooms and home offices.
• Where solid-core pays: Bedrooms/offices next to noisy spaces, and tall doors (80 inch plus) where stiffness reduces warp and rattle.
• Prehung vs. slab: Use prehung when the frame is damaged or out-of-square. Choose slab when the frame is high quality and hinge/latch positions can be matched efficiently.
• Hardware: Use quality ball-bearing hinges on solid-core doors. In bathrooms, favor corrosion-resistant finishes and privacy latches with robust mechanisms.
• Code note: Garage-to-house doors in many jurisdictions require a minimum 20-minute fire rating and self-closing hardware. Verify locally.

Comparison Table: Prehung vs. Slab

Example

A 1970s hallway with three warped frames was quoted as slab-only by a competitor. The winning contractor recommended prehung units with 4-9/16 inch jambs and ball-bearing hinges. Result: consistent 2 mm reveals, quieter close, and zero callbacks after 6 months.

Install For Plumb, Quiet, Code-Compliant Results

Installation technique dictates door feel, latch alignment, and durability.

Problem

Even a quality door will rub, bounce, or spring back if the hinge side isn’t perfectly true. Rushed installs end with uneven reveals, squeaks, and latch misses.

Solution

• Start square: Set the hinge jamb dead plumb with a long level or laser. Shim behind each hinge position; drive at least one 3 inch screw per hinge leaf into the stud for long-term hold (especially on solid-core).
• Set reveals: Aim for 2–3 mm at head and strike. Adjust with shims at the mid and head to center the slab. Secure with screws behind shims to lock geometry.
• Undercut: Trim for 10–15 mm undercut, checking floor transitions. For bathrooms with exhaust fans, a 12–15 mm undercut supports airflow.
• Latch alignment: Install strike so the beveled latch meets the strike lip cleanly. Minor misalignment can be fixed by adjusting the strike position by 1–2 mm or mortising slightly.
• Fastening sequence: Tack hinge side, set reveals, fix strike side, then hang casing. Use construction adhesive sparingly to avoid telegraphing through trim.
• Code checkpoints: Where required, use a 20-minute rated, self-closing unit between garage and house. Confirm labels remain visible after install.

Benchmarks And Timeframes

• Typical install duration: 1.5–2.5 hours per prehung door including shimming and casing touch-up. Slab-only can be 1.0–1.5 hours if hinge and latch align perfectly; add 30–60 minutes if they do not.
• Hardware: Most interior sets use a 2-3/8 inch backset and 2-1/8 inch latch bore; confirm before drilling.

Example

In a remodel, the hinge-side stud bowed 12 mm. The installer scribed the jamb to the stud, used three 3 inch screws per hinge leaf into the stud, and balanced reveals to 2 mm. The door closed quietly with no rub, and the client noticed the improved sound isolation.

Finish, Seal, And Tune For Durability

Finishing practice determines how the door survives humidity and daily use.

Problem

Unsealed edges, poor paint systems on MDF, and zero acclimation cause swelling, sticking, and paint failures—especially on bathroom doors.

Solution

• Acclimation: Store doors flat and acclimate 24–48 hours in the conditioned space to stabilize moisture content.
• Seal all six sides: Prime and paint or clear-coat every face, edge, and bore. MDF rails and stiles need quality primer to prevent fiber raise.
• Humid rooms: For bathrooms, maintain the undercut, ensure the exhaust fan is functional, and use moisture-resistant topcoats.
• Tune after paint: Recheck reveals; light planing or strike adjustments of 1–2 mm may be needed after finish coats.

Performance Notes

• Two finish coats over primer are a common standard for durability and wipeability.
• Solid-core doors resist dings and feel premium; homeowners often perceive them as “quieter” immediately, supporting higher quoted prices.

Example

A bath door that stuck every summer was replaced with a solid-core slab, undercut to 12 mm, six-sided sealed, and finished in semi-gloss. After one season, no swelling or latch binding was reported.

Pricing, Time, And Documentation That Protects You

Clear scope, timeframes, and records minimize disputes and keep margin.

Problem

Missing details—like jamb depth, painting responsibility, or hardware grade—create scope creep and unpaid callbacks. Vague proposals are hard to defend.

Solution

• Line items per opening: List size, core type, swing, jamb depth, hardware, finish responsibility, and disposal. Note any code-rated doors and self-closing hardware.
• Benchmarks (2025 U.S.): Industry data shows typical installed pricing at $250–$650 per interior opening, varying with core, casing work, and paint. Labor rates for finish carpentry commonly run $65–$95 per hour in many metro areas.
• Schedule: Set realistic production: 2–4 doors/day for a two-person crew on prehung units with minimal casing work; 1–2/day if frames require repairs.
• Documentation: Capture pre-existing damage, floor transitions, and humidity risks with photos.

Use Donizo To Speed Admin

• Capture on site: Use Donizo voice, text, and photo inputs to log each opening and auto-generate a professional proposal.
• Get to “yes”: Send a branded PDF with client portal access and collect a legally binding e-signature.
• After approval: Convert accepted proposals to invoices in one click and track payments on paid plans.

Example

A contractor surveyed 12 openings across two levels. With Donizo’s voice-to-proposal workflow, they recorded handing, jamb depth, and undercut notes per door in under 20 minutes. The client signed the e-proposal the same day, and the team converted it to an invoice upon completion. Admin time saved: approximately 60–90 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I Determine Door Handing Quickly?

Stand on the push side. If the hinges are on your left, it is a left-hand door; on your right, it is a right-hand door. Also confirm inswing vs. outswing to avoid ordering errors.

What Clearances Should I Aim For?

Target 2–3 mm (about 1/8 inch) on the head and strike side, with a consistent hinge-side reveal. For airflow, especially in bathrooms, use a 10–15 mm undercut. Verify against any new floor finishes.

Do I Need A Fire-Rated Door To The Garage?

In many jurisdictions, yes. A 20-minute fire-rated door and self-closing hardware are commonly required between garage and dwelling. Always verify local code and keep the rating label intact.

When Should I Choose Solid-Core Over Hollow-Core?

Use solid-core for bedrooms, offices, taller doors, and anywhere noise control or a premium feel matters. Expect roughly 3–5 STC points improvement versus hollow-core, which homeowners often perceive as quieter.

Can I Fit A 30 Inch Door Into A 29.5 Inch Opening?

Not as a standard prehung. You can sometimes trim a slab slightly and adjust stops, but more than a few millimeters risks structure and warranty. The professional path is modifying the frame or selecting a new unit sized to the opening.

Conclusion

Interior door work pays when you measure precisely, choose the right unit, and install for quiet, code-compliant performance. Use solid-core where it counts, keep reveals tight, and seal all edges for durability. To streamline the front end, capture openings by voice with photos in Donizo, generate a branded PDF proposal, collect an e-signature, and convert to an invoice when work is complete. That workflow saves time, reduces errors, and helps you move from survey to “yes” faster.