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.
Harlow sits within our coverage for a new front or back door, as do neighbouring Hoddesdon, Bishops Stortford and Waltham Abbey. 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 the East of England is £1,050–£3,700 including VAT, and your written quote will spell out exactly what that covers.
- Guide price
- £1,050–£3,700 inc VAT
- Time on site
- Usually half a day to one day per door
- Postcodes
- CM17, CM18, CM19 and CM20
- Planning rules
- England
- Local area
- Essex
- Survey
- Free, with a written quote
What should you budget for a new front or back door in Harlow?
The costs listed here are typical for a new front or back door around Harlow and include VAT. They reflect labour and material costs in the East of England, about 5% above the national guide, giving a range of £1,050–£3,700. Exact pricing depends on your home, so we only fix it once a free site survey is done.
| Type of job | What it usually involves | Guide in Harlow |
|---|---|---|
| uPVC back door | A standard uPVC back or side door with a half-glazed panel and multi-point lock. | £850–£1,600 |
| Composite front door | A made-to-measure composite door in your chosen colour, glass design and hardware. | £1,250–£2,600 |
| Aluminium or door with side panels | A premium aluminium door, or a composite door with one or two side panels. | £2,600–£5,200 |
The main things that change the figure:
- 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 Harlow?
- Measured survey of the opening, threshold and frame condition
- Glazing panels, side panels or fanlights where specified
- 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
What are homes like around Harlow?
Essex ranges from timber-framed and weatherboarded cottages in the north, some with decorative pargeting, to Victorian terraces in Colchester, Chelmsford and Southend. Basildon and Harlow were built as post-war new towns, much of the south-east has interwar suburbs and bungalows, and large new estates continue to appear around Chelmsford and Braintree.
Terraces and semis commonly suit loft conversions and rear extensions, and many bungalows can take a loft room. New-town homes often need cladding, window and roofline renewal, while timber-framed cottages call for lime plaster and repairs that respect the original frame.
None of this holds for every street in Harlow, which is why we look at your actual house before pricing a new front or back door rather than assuming from its age alone.
Permissions for a new front or back door in Harlow
For anyone in Harlow, the relevant framework is England's. The summary below is general, so we always contact the council about your address before putting a price in writing.
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.
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.
Price and scope agreed
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.
Dates and permissions
Preparation matters as much as the build. We agree access, parking and working hours with you, order materials in good time, and confirm any permissions so the job isn't held up once it starts.
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.
How we work
Front and back doors in Harlow: questions
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.
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.
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.
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 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
Homes across CM17, CM18, CM19 and CM20 in Harlow are within our coverage, as are those in Hoddesdon, Bishops Stortford and Waltham Abbey. If you are just outside these areas, ask anyway, because we work right across the UK.