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.
Thinking about a new front or back door in Chelsea? We take charge of the whole project, co-ordinating every trade involved, and one person keeps you updated. Guide prices for London sit at £1,300–£4,600 including VAT, and a typical job takes Usually half a day to one day per door. Your own figure depends on what the survey finds and the specification you settle on.
- Guide price
- £1,300–£4,600 inc VAT
- Time on site
- Usually half a day to one day per door
- Postcodes
- SW3, SW5, SW7, SW10 and SW1W
- Planning rules
- England
- Local area
- Greater London
- Survey
- Free, with a written quote
Front and back doors prices in Chelsea
Here is how the guide price for a new front or back door breaks down in Chelsea. We start from national figures and adjust for London, which comes out about 30% above the national guide. The resulting range, VAT included, is £1,300–£4,600, and a survey, at no cost to you, firms it up.
| Type of job | What it usually involves | Guide in Chelsea |
|---|---|---|
| uPVC back door | A standard uPVC back or side door with a half-glazed panel and multi-point lock. | £1,050–£1,950 |
| Composite front door | A made-to-measure composite door in your chosen colour, glass design and hardware. | £1,550–£3,200 |
| Aluminium or door with side panels | A premium aluminium door, or a composite door with one or two side panels. | £3,200–£6,500 |
The main things that change the figure:
- Door material: uPVC, composite or aluminium
- 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
- Made-to-measure door and frame in your chosen colour and design
- 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
- Building regulations paperwork where a glazed door needs it
What are homes like around Chelsea?
London's housing is dominated by Victorian and Edwardian terraces, often in yellow London stock brick, with Georgian terraces in central districts and mansion blocks across many inner areas. Outer boroughs have large belts of interwar semis, and there are extensive post-war council estates. Many houses have been split into flats, and conservation areas are widespread.
London Clay shrinks and swells with the seasons, and street trees close to houses can contribute to movement, which affects foundation design.
That mix of housing shapes how we approach a new front or back door in Chelsea: the age and construction of your home affect the materials, the method and, in the end, the price.
Do you need permission in Chelsea?
Chelsea 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.
From survey to handover
We look at the job
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
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
We handle the paperwork side: checking whether planning permission or building control approval is needed, submitting applications where they are, and scheduling the trades and materials around your dates.
On site to finish
Work goes ahead as scheduled and you deal with one contact throughout. When the last trade leaves, we clear and clean the site, talk you through what has been done and pass on any certificates and care instructions.
What you can expect from us
Front and back doors in Chelsea: questions
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 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.
What is the difference between a composite and a uPVC door?
A composite door has a tough outer skin over a solid insulated core, so it feels heavier and more solid than uPVC and holds its colour well. A uPVC door is built from reinforced plastic panels and costs less. Both can have multi-point locking and good weather seals. Many people choose composite for the front door and uPVC for back or side doors, where looks matter less.
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 Chelsea 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.
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.
Near Chelsea
We welcome enquiries from all SW3, SW5, SW7 and SW10 postcodes in Chelsea, plus Battersea, Fulham and Pimlico. Each one gets the same survey at no charge and a written price fixed for the work described.