How Much Does Door Installation Cost in Lantana, and How Long Does It Take?
Door installation in Lantana, FL typically runs $450-$1,800 per opening for standard residential replacement, with most single-door projects completed in one day and full-home packages taking 2-3 days. Call (844) 665-0162 for a free on-site estimate and we’ll measure, spec, and price the job on the spot.
We’re talking about the real work here: removing the old unit, addressing whatever the frame and surrounding wall have hidden, and setting a new door that actually seals, swings, and locks the way it should. In Lantana’s 1950s-1970s concrete block homes, that “hidden” part is where the job gets interesting. Original openings were often built to dimensions that don’t match today’s standard prehung units, and the salt air has had decades to work on fasteners and flashing.
How We Handle Door Installation - Start to Finish
We break every door installation in Lantana into five stages so you know what’s happening and what you’re deciding.
Stage 1: Site measure and condition check (30-60 minutes on our first visit)
We measure the rough opening, the existing frame, and the wall thickness. We also check what’s around the door: the condition of the surrounding stucco, whether there’s hurricane strapping that must stay intact, and whether the header above the opening is properly sized. In Lantana’s older CBS construction, we regularly find original wood frames that have rotted at the sill or steel frames corroded through from the inside out. You’ll decide at this stage whether you want a direct replacement or if you’re open to resizing the opening, which changes the permit path.
Stage 2: Product selection and order (you decide; we order)
Based on the opening and your priorities, we spec the door, frame, hardware, and any sidelight or transom configuration. Lead times vary: in-stock fiberglass or steel units from Jeld-Wen or Masonite can arrive in 5-10 business days; custom-sized or impact-rated units run 3-6 weeks. You’ll choose material, style, finish color, and hardware grade at this stage. We don’t move to permitting until you’ve signed off on the spec sheet.
Stage 3: Permit pull and inspection scheduling (3-10 business days)
For most door installation in Lantana, Palm Beach County requires a building permit if the door is part of a larger renovation, if you’re changing the opening size, or if you’re installing an impact-rated unit to meet current wind code. Simple like-for-like replacement in an existing frame sometimes falls under repair exemption, but we verify this case by case. We pull the permit, schedule the required inspections, and build the inspection sequence into our timeline.
Stage 4: Demo, prep, and installation (1 day for single door; 2 days for multiple units or resizing)
We protect your floors, remove the old door and frame, cut back stucco as needed, and inspect the rough opening for water damage or termite activity. Common in Lantana: finding corroded anchor bolts or compromised flashing that must be addressed before the new unit goes in. We install the new prehung door, shim and level, apply closed-cell foam insulation, and seal with approved flashing tape and sealant. For impact-rated installations, we verify the anchorage meets the Miami-Dade or Florida Building Code nailing schedule.
Stage 5: Trim, hardware finish, and final inspection (2-4 hours)
Interior and exterior trim goes in, hardware is adjusted for proper strike alignment, and we clean the site. If a county inspection is required, we coordinate the final visit. You walk the opening with us, test the swing, lock, and weatherstrip seal, and we hand over care instructions specific to your door material.
The Door Options You’ll Actually Choose Between
Every door installation in Lantana involves trade-offs. Here’s what we walk homeowners through:
- Fiberglass skin with steel frame: Best balance for most Lantana homes. Resists denting, won’t rust like steel skins can in salt air, and insulates well. Costs mid-range. We spec these from Jeld-Wen and Masonite with stainless or hot-dipped galvanized hardware to fight corrosion.
- Steel skin with steel frame: Stronger security, lower price point, but the skin can rust if the factory finish is scratched and exposed to Lantana’s salt-laden air. Requires more vigilant maintenance. Good for protected entries, less ideal for direct ocean-facing exposures.
- Solid wood or wood-clad: Premium look, can be refinished, but expands and contracts with humidity more than synthetic skins. Needs covered entry or overhang in South Florida’s driving rain. Higher cost, higher maintenance, unmatched aesthetic for traditional homes.
- Impact-rated vs. standard construction: Palm Beach County’s wind code may require impact-rated for new construction or substantial renovation. Adds $200-$600 per opening but eliminates the need for storm shutters. We verify what’s triggered by your specific permit path before you decide.
- Prehung vs. slab-only: Prehung (door + frame, hinged, ready to install) is faster and more reliable for replacement. Slab-only makes sense only if your existing frame is in perfect condition, which it rarely is in 1960s Lantana housing stock.
- Hardware grade: Builder-grade brass or nickel hardware corrodes in 2-3 years here. We spec stainless steel or marine-grade finishes for coastal exposure, which adds $75-$200 per door but eliminates replacement cycles.
What Door Installation Costs in Lantana, FL
| Scope | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Single prehung interior door, standard size | $450-$850 |
| Single prehung exterior door, fiberglass or steel | $800-$1,500 |
| Exterior door with sidelight or transom | $1,400-$2,800 |
| Impact-rated exterior door | $1,200-$2,200 |
| Resizing opening / structural header work | $800-$2,500 additional |
| Full-home package (6-8 doors) | $4,500-$12,000 |
Five variables push your number up or down:
1. Existing frame condition. If we open up and find rot, termite damage, or a corroded steel frame, the prep work adds labor and material. In Lantana’s 1950s-1970s stock, we budget for this possibility on every quote.
2. Opening size changes. Widening a door means cutting block, installing a new header, and triggering structural inspection. This is where costs jump.
3. Material grade and brand. A standard fiberglass unit costs less than an architectural-grade wood door from a premium line. We carry multiple tiers so you’re choosing, not being cornered into one option.
4. Impact rating requirement. If your project triggers full wind-code compliance, the door itself and the installation method both cost more. We determine this during permitting research, not after the fact.
5. Trim and finish work. Matching existing interior trim or exterior stucco texture takes skilled labor. We include standard trim in our base quotes; custom millwork or stucco blending is priced separately.
Our written estimates include the door unit, frame, standard hardware, labor, permit fees, and rough-opening prep. They don’t include: custom paint or stain, upgraded hardware sets, or structural repairs beyond the immediate opening. We’ll flag anything we suspect but can’t confirm until demo, so you’re not surprised.
What Lantana’s Housing Stock and Coastal Position Mean for Your Door Job
Lantana sits low on the Intracoastal Waterway, and that geography shapes every construction decision we make here. The town’s housing is almost entirely built out with post-WWII concrete block stucco homes from the 1950s through 1970s, many with flat roofs, original jalousie windows, and electrical panels that predate modern codes. When we’re doing door installation in Lantana, we’re almost always working within walls that have seen sixty-plus years of salt air.
That salt air is the silent variable. We’ve pulled frames in neighborhoods near Ocean Avenue where the anchor bolts were reduced to rust dust and the flashing had perforated completely. We spec stainless steel or hot-dipped galvanized fasteners on every Lantana job now; it’s not optional, it’s survival. The same goes for sealants and flashing tapes rated for coastal UV and salt exposure.
Then there’s the flood code. Lantana’s position inside FEMA Special Flood Hazard Areas means any renovation that crosses Palm Beach County’s 50% substantial improvement threshold converts into a full flood-compliance event. A door installation by itself won’t trigger this, but if it’s part of a larger kitchen remodel or addition, we pull the FEMA map and the county appraiser’s assessed value before we write the contract. We’ve seen projects near Hypoluxo Island and the waterfront streets off Broadway turn into elevation requirements that add five figures. We check so you don’t get that call after permits are filed.
Palm Beach County’s post-Andrew wind code also matters. Any substantial work requires impact-rated openings or verified protection, plus documented roof-to-wall connections. For door installation in Lantana, this typically means we spec impact-rated units when the permit path requires it, and we photograph the anchorage for inspection documentation. The county inspector knows what to look for; so do we.
Homeowners here often pair exterior upgrades with other projects. If you’re already addressing your home’s envelope, Chain Link Fence in Lantana or Vinyl Fence in Lantana are common companion jobs that our crew can sequence alongside door work. And if this door project is part of a broader renovation, see our Windows & Doors in Lantana page for how we coordinate full exterior packages.
Serving Lantana, FL - Our Local Coverage Area
We’re based in the Lantana area and know this community well. Use the map below to see our service coverage - if you’re nearby, we can almost certainly help.
Frequently Asked - Door Installation in Lantana
Most single door installations are completed in one day. Multiple doors or opening resizing typically takes 2-3 days, plus permit lead time of 3-10 business days. Call (844) 665-0162 and we’ll give you a firm timeline based on your specific openings.
Yes, if you’re changing the opening size, installing an impact-rated unit, or if the door work is part of a larger permitted renovation. Simple like-for-like replacement sometimes qualifies as repair exemption. We verify this during our first visit and handle the permit pull if required.
Yes, for most replacements. Standard door installations don’t disturb plumbing or electrical. The exception is if you’re relocating a door to a new wall location, which may require rerouting utilities. We’ll map this during the site measure and tell you before you commit.
Impact-rated door installation typically adds $200-$600 per opening for the unit itself, plus slightly more labor for the heavier anchorage schedule. The total depends on size and brand. For a precise number, we measure and spec on site, estimates are free.
Our workmanship warranty covers installation labor and sealing. The door unit itself carries the manufacturer’s warranty, which varies by brand and material, fiberglass and steel units typically carry 10-year to lifetime limited coverage on the skin. We register your warranty and provide documentation at completion.
Get Your Free Estimate for Door Installation in Lantana
Call (844) 665-0162 to schedule a free on-site estimate. We’ll measure your openings, assess frame condition, check permit requirements, and deliver a written quote with product options across multiple brands and price tiers. Most estimates take 30-45 minutes. We serve Lantana and surrounding Palm Beach County communities, and as a Windows & Doors contractor with full residential construction capability, we can sequence your door work with any larger renovation you have planned.
Written by Raymond Estevez, Owner at Groundwork Construction Co., serving Lantana and South Florida homeowners since our founding.