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.
In Torquay, as anywhere in Devon, the price of a new front or back door is driven mainly by size, materials and access. Across the South West our guide sits at £1,000–£3,600 with VAT, but restricted parking, a narrow side passage or extra preparation can move the figure either way. That is why every price we give follows a visit to the house.
- Guide price
- £1,000–£3,600 inc VAT
- Time on site
- Usually half a day to one day per door
- Postcodes
- TQ1, TQ2, TQ3 and TQ4
- Planning rules
- England
- Local area
- Torbay
- Survey
- Free, with a written quote
What should you budget for a new front or back door in Torquay?
Here is how the guide price for a new front or back door breaks down in Torquay. We start from national figures and adjust for the South West, which comes out about 2% above the national guide. The resulting range, VAT included, is £1,000–£3,600, and a survey, at no cost to you, firms it up.
| Type of job | What it usually involves | Guide in Torquay |
|---|---|---|
| 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:
- 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 do you get?
- 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
- Removal and disposal of the old door and frame
- Weather seals, sealant and internal trims finished neatly
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.
With that background in mind, here is how we typically handle a new front or back door for homes in Torquay, from the first visit to the finished result.
Planning and building rules in Torquay
Each UK nation sets its own consent rules, and Torquay is in England. What follows is a plain summary; we check the specifics for your property with the council before pricing anything.
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.
The four stages
Survey and measure
It starts with a survey at the property, free of charge. We check condition, access and services, ask how you want the finished result to look, and answer any questions you have about a new front or back door.
Your fixed price
You get the price in writing, itemised so you can see where the money goes. As long as the specification stays the same, that is the price you pay for a new front or back door.
Plan and prepare
Once you accept, we agree start dates, order materials and deal with any planning, building control or neighbour notices the job needs. You'll know who is coming and when before work begins.
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 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.
How long does it take to make a new door?
Made-to-measure doors usually take a few weeks to manufacture after the survey and your order are confirmed. Bespoke colours, special glass designs and aluminium doors can take longer. Once the door arrives, we arrange a fitting date that suits you. We give you a realistic lead time with your written quote, and we keep you updated if the manufacturer's dates change.
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.
Do I need planning permission in Torquay?
It depends on the work, the size of the project, your property type and whether the building is listed or in a conservation area. Torquay is in England, so England'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.
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 Torquay 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.
Nearby towns
Homes across TQ1, TQ2, TQ3 and TQ4 in Torquay are within our coverage, as are those in Paignton, Newton Abbot and Exmouth. If you are just outside these areas, ask anyway, because we work right across the UK.