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.
For a homeowner in Wickford, planning a new front or back door tends to begin with two questions: what will it cost, and how disruptive will it be? Our guide range is £1,050–£3,700 including VAT, and a typical job runs to Usually half a day to one day per door. Both numbers firm up once we have seen the property, measured up and agreed exactly what is included.
- Guide price
- £1,050–£3,700 inc VAT
- Time on site
- Usually half a day to one day per door
- Postcodes
- SS11 and SS12
- Planning rules
- England
- Local area
- Essex
- Survey
- Free, with a written quote
How much does a new front or back door cost in Wickford?
No two jobs cost exactly the same, but the ranges below give a fair picture of a new front or back door in Wickford. Pricing for the East of England runs about 5% above the national guide, and the overall guide is £1,050–£3,700 with VAT included. We'll confirm your figure after surveying the property for free.
| Type of job | What it usually involves | Guide in Wickford |
|---|---|---|
| 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
- Lock, cylinder and hardware specification
- Colour, including different colours inside and out
What’s included?
- 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 Essex
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.
If your house in Wickford fits one of these patterns, it helps us anticipate what a new front or back door will involve, though we always confirm the details on site.
Do you need permission in Wickford?
Wickford is in England, so the planning and building rules set out below are the ones that apply. We confirm the details with the council before we quote.
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?
Survey and measure
First, someone visits your home in Wickford to see the space, take measurements and note anything that could affect the work, such as access or the condition of what is there. There is no charge for this visit.
Written quote
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
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.
Finish and handover
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.
What you can expect from us
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.
Do I need planning permission in Wickford?
It depends on the work, the size of the project, your property type and whether the building is listed or in a conservation area. Wickford 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.
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.
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.
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.
Near Wickford
Live in Wickford? Our coverage takes in the SS11 and SS12 postcode areas and reaches out to Pitsea, Rayleigh and Basildon, so homes on the outskirts and in the next town along are included.