Installing the jamb is one of the most important steps when hanging a new door. This three-sided frame ensures that the rough opening fits the door and supports the added weight. It consists of three components. The header jamb travels across the top of the opening, while the vertical hinge and latch jambs feature precut recesses for the hardware.
Standard Services | Quantity | Low | High | ||
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What you can expect | |||||
Range per opening: | $170.94 | $260.77 | |||
Range for this type of project: | $171 | $261 | |||
Estimate: $216 | |||||
Door Jamb Installation Cost | 1 opening | $0 | $1 | ||
Cost of door frame, stops, and threshold. Prebuilt door jamb sized for 32" x 80" doors, with 4-9/16" framing. Pre-primed and ready to paint upon installation. | |||||
Basic Labor for Door Jamb Installation | 2 hours | $109 | $177 | ||
Labor costs for thorough installation under standard conditions. This will start with a full assessment of the space. Your team will plan the layout, acquire appropriate equipment, transport materials, and execute preparation, installation and cleanup. They will measure and trim the frame to standard width and height, level and secure the jamb, and ensure it is flush to the wall and perfectly aligned. | |||||
Job Supplies for Door Jamb Installation | 1 opening | $0 | $0 | ||
Standard supplies used in the installation process. Fasteners, shims, flashing, drip cap, perimeter foam insulation, and exterior caulking are among the materials covered by this fee. | |||||
Equipment Allowance for Door Jamb Installation | 1 job | $61 | $83 | ||
Equipment allowance for pneumatic finish nailer, 12" compound miter saw, biscuit joiner, detail sander, and other specialty tools. This is assessed as a daily rental fee, while single-use equipment will incur separate charges. |
cost to install a door jamb | |
National Avg. Materials Cost per opening | $0.61 |
National Avg. Cost (labor and materials) for 1 opening | $224.07 |
National Cost Range (labor and materials) for 1 opening | $177.45 - $270.69 |
To function properly, the jamb must fit the door snugly with approximately 1/8-inch clearance on all sides. Even prehung doors require the jamb to be level and attached to the frame. To do this, professionals start by measuring the door and the rough opening before cutting the lumber. The carpenter then positions the pieces and inserts shims. Once the door jamb is level, the carpenter secures the components to the frame. After that, it's time to add the doorstops and casing trim before filling any nail holes and painting or staining the woodwork.
The cost of installing a door jamb varies based on the level of difficulty and the construction method. In older homes, carpenters may have to correct areas that are off plumb. This requires shimming and other corrective actions that could increase labor costs. Some professionals use time saving techniques, such as routing the hinge and latch mortises with a jig, while others prefer traditional hand tools.
This project requires a high degree of accuracy to ensure that the door swings freely and latches properly. Professionals who have experience taking precise measurements, making accurate cuts and using advanced finishing techniques may achieve superior results. In most cases, hiring a pro is the best way to ensure that the door jamb is properly sized and ready for the next phase of the installation.