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.
Getting a new front or back door right in Harpenden starts with understanding the house you already have: its age, how it was built and what has been altered over the years. We survey first, then commit on paper to a price that holds as long as the scope stays the same. Across the East of England, guide prices run at £1,050–£3,700 including VAT, and homes in St Albans, Luton and Hemel Hempstead are covered too.
- Guide price
- £1,050–£3,700 inc VAT
- Time on site
- Usually half a day to one day per door
- Postcodes
- AL5
- Planning rules
- England
- Local area
- Hertfordshire
- Survey
- Free, with a written quote
How much does a new front or back door cost in Harpenden?
What should you budget for a new front or back door in Harpenden? Use the figures below as a starting point. Prices in the East of England sit about 5% above the national guide, so the range here is £1,050–£3,700 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 Harpenden |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Your price depends mostly on:
- 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
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
- 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 Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire is home to the first garden cities, Letchworth and Welwyn Garden City, and the post-war new towns of Stevenage, Hatfield and Hemel Hempstead. Watford and St Albans have Victorian terraces and Georgian streets, interwar semis line the commuter suburbs, and brick-and-flint cottages appear in Chiltern villages to the west.
New-town and garden-city homes often suit extensions, window replacement and roofline renewal, though some garden-city estates have their own design guidance. Victorian terraces commonly take loft rooms and side-return extensions.
These patterns matter for a new front or back door: older walls, roofs and floors in Harpenden can need different materials or extra preparation compared with newer homes.
Do you need permission in Harpenden?
Homes in Harpenden come under the regulations for England, 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.
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
Free site survey
First, someone visits your home in Harpenden 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.
Your fixed price
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
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
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 much does a new front door cost?
A new front door costs £1,050–£3,700 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.
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.
Do I need planning permission in Harpenden?
It depends on the work, the size of the project, your property type and whether the building is listed or in a conservation area. Harpenden 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 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.
Also covering areas around Harpenden
We cover every part of Harpenden, including AL5, and nearby St Albans, Luton and Hemel Hempstead. Wherever you are within that patch, the survey is free and the quote comes to you in writing.