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.
From a first conversation about a new front or back door to the day the site is cleared, homeowners in Carrickfergus deal with us directly. We come out to measure up at no cost, explain the choices in plain terms and send a written quote. For context, comparable work in Northern Ireland usually falls within £850–£3,000 including VAT, and it is available across BT38.
- Guide price
- £850–£3,000 inc VAT
- Time on site
- Usually half a day to one day per door
- Postcodes
- BT38
- Planning rules
- Northern Ireland
- Local area
- County Antrim
- Survey
- Free, with a written quote
How much does a new front or back door cost in Carrickfergus?
Use the table to gauge the cost of a new front or back door in Carrickfergus before we visit. Figures include VAT and are scaled for Northern Ireland, coming out about 14% below the national guide, which gives £850–£3,000 overall. After a free survey, you receive a fixed written price.
| Type of job | What it usually involves | Guide in Carrickfergus |
|---|---|---|
| uPVC back door | A standard uPVC back or side door with a half-glazed panel and multi-point lock. | £700–£1,300 |
| Composite front door | A made-to-measure composite door in your chosen colour, glass design and hardware. | £1,050–£2,200 |
| Aluminium or door with side panels | A premium aluminium door, or a composite door with one or two side panels. | £2,200–£4,300 |
What moves the price up or down:
- Door material: uPVC, composite or aluminium
- Lock, cylinder and hardware specification
- Colour, including different colours inside and out
- Condition of the opening, threshold and surrounding brickwork
Scope of the work
- Measured survey of the opening, threshold and frame condition
- Made-to-measure door and frame in your chosen colour and design
- Multi-point locking with anti-snap cylinders and matching handles
- Glazing panels, side panels or fanlights where specified
- Low threshold options for level or easier access
- Building regulations paperwork where a glazed door needs it
Local housing and a new front or back door
Belfast has long rows of red-brick Victorian terraces, Edwardian villas in the north and south of the city and large post-war estates, while towns such as Ballymena, Antrim, Larne and Carrickfergus mix terraces, semis and newer developments. Dark basalt appears in older rural buildings, and pebbledash or roughcast is a very common finish.
Terraces suit loft conversions and rear extensions, and many need window and roof renewal. Pebbledashed homes commonly need re-rendering, and detached rural houses often take extensions, porches and driveways.
In Carrickfergus, as elsewhere in County Antrim, we take the building's age and construction into account before recommending anything, because both can change what is involved in a new front or back door.
Planning and building rules in Carrickfergus
Homes in Carrickfergus come under the regulations for Northern Ireland, summarised below. We don't rely on general rules alone: we confirm the position for your address with the council before a quote goes out.
In Northern Ireland, like-for-like replacement windows and doors on a house rarely need planning permission. Listed buildings and conservation areas are the main exceptions, so check with the council before changing style or material.
The Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) apply to replacement windows, so the work needs building control approval or sign-off through an approved competent person route.
Rules change and every property is different, so we check the planning history and constraints for your address before we quote.
From survey to handover
Free site survey
Book a visit and we'll come to you. The survey covers measurements, the state of what's there now and any obvious constraints, so the price that follows is based on your actual home, not an average.
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.
On site to finish
The job proceeds in the order set out in the programme, with dust and debris kept under control. Finally we tidy away, inspect the work together and pass the finished project over to you with its paperwork.
Working with SK Home Improvements
Frequently asked questions
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.
Is the price fixed?
Yes, for the specification we agree. Your written quote sets out exactly what is included at a fixed price. It only changes if you ask for something different, or if a problem the survey could not reasonably reveal later needs extra work. In either case we explain the change and confirm it in writing before going ahead.
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.
Who do I deal with during the job?
One point of contact manages your project from survey to handover. They schedule the trades working under our contract, keep you updated on progress, and are the person to call with any question. You don't need to coordinate builders, electricians or decorators separately, because that is part of what we do.
How long will my home be open while the door is fitted?
Fitting a new door usually takes half a day to a full day, and your home is only open for the short time between taking out the old frame and fixing the new one. We keep the opening covered if there is any delay, and we never leave a doorway insecure overnight. Once the frame is fixed, we hang the door, adjust the locks, seal around the frame and finish the trims.
Nearby towns
Carrickfergus and its BT38 postcodes are part of our coverage. Homeowners in Newtownabbey, Bangor, County Down and Larne can also book a free survey with us and receive a written price for their job.