measuring an old house for exterior doors?

Question

any pros care to give me advice on a new jam to use with the old antique existing door - PLUS - adding a basic security door to the new jam?
home is about 80+yr old

is this a diy job for a minor handyman?

John,
thanks... HomeDepot wants $225 PER DOOR to install - plus they are charging a manditory $30 measuring fee and $40 delivery fee (so they are sure the right door is there)
seems like they're ripping me a new one.

oh - and that price doesn't include the price of the actual door that i pick out! lol

Answer 1

this anit a handy mans job , it a carpenter job ,
you will need ,a pre made door jam ,cost about $30
fro m the lumber yard, if you buy a precut door , you tend to get the jam included, don't forget the locks .
the cost of hanging a door, about the cost of the door,plus $45 there abouts

Answer 2

I don't know what you call a "minor handy man" but I would guess you don't want to pay the price? right?

Being a carpenter, having all the necessary tools and the knowledge that will have to go along with the knowledge to size the door, the walls are maybe to thick being old, the door height and width. I'm going to have to have all the right tools and the expertise to hang that door.
Is the jamb a normal jamb or a large one, plus what is going to have to be customized.
If you can find someone, a minor handy man to do all this and still do a good job, fine.

I will charge you by the hour, $48.00 for coming to the site, and the same for the hourly work, the first forty-eight deducted form the total when finished. I will explain what has to be done and why, the size of the door being the factor especially if it's an unusual door and what type of custom work has to be done.
I will give you an estimate when I get there about what the price will be. When I finish it will be the best job you can get but, it will be done by a professional carpenter with 45 years of experience and all the necessary tools.

By the way, what type of work do you do and, what do you charge, are you fair.

Answer 3

Don' know exactly how handy you are- but I live in a house that is 93 years old and can tell you frem living in my house that most of my doors are 7'0". In other word the doors will probably be 84 inches tall. Most modern doors are 6' 8", which is 80 inches. Anothr problem that you might encounter is that the house is not plumb or level. I personally would rather hire a contractor to put a door in and know that it is done right.
If you are lucky enough to know somesone who is very handy, perhaps they can be of some help.
Good luck with your project.

Answer 4

There are a lot of things to consider. type of siding on the outside, Trim on the outside, Finish on the inside walls, Trim on the inside walls. After installation you could have raw edges not covered if you don't plan before you purchase. A level & some type of miter box or saw to cut the door trim. Buying a complete door unit makes installation easier with the built in threshold.