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.
Whatever type of house you own in Heavitree, we start by looking at how a new front or back door would fit it rather than offering a standard package. We cover EX1, EX2 and EX4 and neighbouring places such as Exeter, Exmouth and Tiverton. One named person looks after you from survey to handover, and nothing is booked until you hold our figure in writing, fixed for the work described.
- Guide price
- £1,000–£3,600 inc VAT
- Time on site
- Usually half a day to one day per door
- Postcodes
- EX1, EX2 and EX4
- Planning rules
- England
- Local area
- Devon
- Survey
- Free, with a written quote
What should you budget for a new front or back door in Heavitree?
What should you budget for a new front or back door in Heavitree? Use the figures below as a starting point. Prices in the South West sit about 2% above the national guide, so the range here is £1,000–£3,600 including VAT. Your fixed price comes in writing once we've surveyed the property, at no charge.
| Type of job | What it usually involves | Guide in Heavitree |
|---|---|---|
| uPVC back door | A standard uPVC back or side door with a half-glazed panel and multi-point lock. | £800–£1,550 |
| Composite front door | A made-to-measure composite door in your chosen colour, glass design and hardware. | £1,200–£2,600 |
| Aluminium or door with side panels | A premium aluminium door, or a composite door with one or two side panels. | £2,600–£5,100 |
What moves the price up or down:
- Side panels, fanlights and the amount of glass
- Lock, cylinder and hardware specification
- Colour, including different colours inside and out
- Condition of the opening, threshold and surrounding brickwork
What do you get?
- Measured survey of the opening, threshold and frame condition
- Multi-point locking with anti-snap cylinders and matching handles
- Removal and disposal of the old door and frame
- Low threshold options for level or easier access
- Weather seals, sealant and internal trims finished neatly
- Building regulations paperwork where a glazed door needs it
Local housing and a new front or back door
Devon is known for cob and thatch cottages, especially in mid and east Devon, alongside granite on Dartmoor and red sandstone around Exeter. Exeter and Plymouth have Georgian and Victorian terraces, Plymouth's centre was largely rebuilt after the war, and seaside towns such as Torquay and Exmouth have rendered villas and newer estates.
Cob and stone homes need breathable lime plaster and render rather than cement. Victorian terraces suit loft rooms and window replacement, while post-war and newer homes often take extensions, rendering and roofline renewal.
In Heavitree, as elsewhere in Devon, 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.
Do you need permission in Heavitree?
The notes below cover England, which is where Heavitree sits. Rules change and every property is different, so we speak to the council before pricing your job.
Replacing windows and doors on a house is usually permitted development in England when the new ones look broadly similar to the old. Flats, listed buildings and homes covered by an Article 4 direction can need consent, and conservation areas may limit materials or styles.
Replacement windows and external doors must meet Building Regulations for energy efficiency, ventilation and, on upper floors, escape. The work is either self-certified by an installer registered with a competent person scheme or signed off by building control.
Rules change and every property is different, so we check the planning history and constraints for your address before we quote.
What happens after you get in touch?
Survey and measure
A free survey comes first. It gives us what we need to price a new front or back door properly, including dimensions, existing materials and access for deliveries, and gives you the chance to ask anything you like.
Price and scope agreed
The quote arrives in writing, not over the phone. It covers the full scope, the finishes you've chosen, any exclusions and the payment schedule, with a fixed price tied to that specification.
Booking the work
With the quote agreed, we book the work in and handle preparation: permissions where needed, building control notifications, material orders and access arrangements for your Heavitree property.
On site to finish
Our trades complete a new front or back door while your point of contact keeps you updated. When everything is finished, we clear the site, take away waste and go through the result with you before handover.
What you can expect from us
Questions about a new front or back door in Heavitree
Can I have a low threshold for wheelchair or pushchair access?
A low threshold is a flat or very shallow sill that makes a doorway easier to cross with a wheelchair, walking frame or pushchair. Most composite, uPVC and aluminium doors can be supplied with one. The outside ground level and drainage need checking, because a low threshold must still keep rainwater out. We look at this during the survey and suggest a channel drain or small ramp if needed.
Can you combine a new front or back door with other work?
Yes. Because we manage several trades under one contract, we can plan a new front or back door alongside other work on your Heavitree home, such as new windows with rendering, or a kitchen refit with an extension. Combining jobs can reduce repeat set-up such as scaffolding, skips and access, and every element is listed and priced in the same written quote.
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 much does a new front door cost?
A new front door costs £1,000–£3,600 supplied and fitted, depending on the material, the amount of glass and whether you want side panels. A uPVC back door sits at the lower end, a composite front door in the middle, and aluminium doors or doors with side panels at the top. Locks, letterplates and dual colours also affect the figure. We confirm a fixed price in writing after measuring your opening.
What happens at the survey?
We visit your home at a time that suits you, look at the area involved, take measurements and check access, condition and any services that might be affected. We talk through what you want from a new front or back door, explain the options and answer questions. There is no charge and no obligation; afterwards we send a written quote.
Nearby towns
We survey and quote throughout Heavitree's EX1, EX2 and EX4 postcodes and in surrounding places such as Exeter, Exmouth and Tiverton. The process and pricing approach are identical in each of them.