A replacement front or back door is a new door and frame, usually composite, uPVC or aluminium, made to fit your existing opening and fitted with multi-point locks and weather seals to improve security, warmth and kerb appeal.
Oban sits within our coverage for a new front or back door, as do neighbouring Fort William, Dunoon and Helensburgh. Before giving a price we want to see the property: the condition of what's there now, the access, and anything that might need extra work. The guide range for Scotland is £950–£3,400 including VAT, and your written quote will spell out exactly what that covers.
- Guide price
- £950–£3,400 inc VAT
- Time on site
- Usually half a day to one day per door
- Postcodes
- PA34
- Planning rules
- Scotland
- Local area
- Argyll and Bute
- Survey
- Free, with a written quote
What should you budget for a new front or back door in Oban?
Below is a breakdown of typical costs for a new front or back door in Oban. Because rates in Scotland are about 4% below the national guide, the overall guide comes to £950–£3,400, including VAT. Size, materials and access move the figure, and a free-of-charge survey settles it.
| Type of job | What it usually involves | Guide in Oban |
|---|---|---|
| uPVC back door | A standard uPVC back or side door with a half-glazed panel and multi-point lock. | £750–£1,450 |
| Composite front door | A made-to-measure composite door in your chosen colour, glass design and hardware. | £1,150–£2,400 |
| Aluminium or door with side panels | A premium aluminium door, or a composite door with one or two side panels. | £2,400–£4,800 |
Expect these to shape the final quote:
- Door material: uPVC, composite or aluminium
- Side panels, fanlights and the amount of glass
- Colour, including different colours inside and out
- Condition of the opening, threshold and surrounding brickwork
What does the job include in Oban?
- Measured survey of the opening, threshold and frame condition
- Multi-point locking with anti-snap cylinders and matching handles
- Glazing panels, side panels or fanlights where specified
- Removal and disposal of the old door and frame
- Weather seals, sealant and internal trims finished neatly
- Building regulations paperwork where a glazed door needs it
Homes in Argyll and Bute
Much of Argyll and Bute is rural and coastal, with whitewashed or harled stone cottages, slate roofs and island homes. Helensburgh has Victorian villas, Oban, Dunoon and Rothesay have Victorian seaside terraces, and post-war and newer housing surrounds the main towns.
Stone cottages need lime harling, repointing and slate roof repairs; villas may need roof and window renewal. Island and remote properties need the programme planned around ferries, deliveries and weather.
That variety is why a guide price for a new front or back door in Oban is only a starting point; the survey shows what your particular property needs.
Permissions for a new front or back door in Oban
England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland each handle planning a little differently. Oban comes under Scotland, covered below, and we raise any questions with the council before your quote is finalised.
In Scotland, replacing windows and doors on a house generally needs no planning permission when the style is similar, but listed buildings and conservation areas are closely controlled and often need consent for any change of material or pattern.
A building warrant is not usually needed for like-for-like replacement windows, but the new units must still meet the Scottish building standards, including energy performance and, where relevant, escape from upper floors.
Rules change and every property is different, so we check the planning history and constraints for your address before we quote.
How does the job run?
We look at the job
We begin by looking at the job in person. During the free survey we discuss options, materials and budget for a new front or back door, and photograph or measure anything the quote needs to reflect.
Quote in writing
After the survey we send a quote for a new front or back door that fixes the price for the scope we've agreed. If you want to change materials or scope, we revise it in writing before anything is booked.
Booking the work
Next comes planning the work itself. We set a start date that suits you, line up the right trades, and make sure any approvals for a new front or back door are in place before the first day on site.
Build and hand over
On site, the agreed plan is followed and any change is put in writing first. At completion we do a final clean, go through the snagging list with you and leave you with the relevant documents.
How we work
Frequently asked questions
How do I look after a composite or uPVC door?
Looking after a composite or uPVC door is mostly a matter of regular cleaning with warm soapy water and a soft cloth. Avoid solvents and abrasive pads, which can dull the finish. Once or twice a year, lightly oil the lock mechanism and the moving parts along the edge of the door, and check the seals. If the door starts to catch, the hinges can usually be adjusted easily.
How long will a new front or back door take?
On a typical home, allow Usually half a day to one day per door. Larger projects, older buildings and extra work found once things are opened up can extend that, while simpler jobs may be shorter. Your quote includes an estimate of time on site, and your point of contact keeps you updated on the programme as the work progresses.
Do I need permission to change my front door?
Planning permission is not usually needed to replace a front door, but it depends on the style and size of the change, your home's location, whether it is listed or in a conservation area, and which UK nation you are in. Listed homes generally need consent for any change, and some conservation areas control colours and styles. Flat entrance doors in shared buildings must also meet fire rules. We check before quoting.
Do I need planning permission in Oban?
It depends on the work, the size of the project, your property type and whether the building is listed or in a conservation area. Oban is in Scotland, so Scotland's rules apply. Many smaller jobs need no planning application, but some still need building control approval. We check what applies to your address before quoting.
How secure are modern doors?
Modern external doors are far more secure than older designs because they lock at several points along the frame, not just at the handle. We fit anti-snap cylinders, which resist a common method of forced entry, in reinforced frames. Laminated or toughened glass panels add further protection. For extra peace of mind you can add a door chain, a viewer or a smart lock, which we can include in your quote.
Nearby towns
Whether you're in the centre of Oban or on its outskirts, PA34 addresses are covered. We extend the same service, and the same fixed-price approach, to Fort William, Dunoon and Helensburgh.