I'm looking to replace three doors in my rental property. The door frames are in decent shape since they were just painted. I received a quote from Lowe's that includes installation for solid core pre-hung doors, which come with a warranty. Alternatively, a private contractor offered to replace just the door slabs for a bit less, claiming the frames are good and suggesting that this option would be quicker and cheaper. My current doors are over 40 years old, and while it's a rental, I want to choose a solution that ensures quality and durability. What do you all think? Should I invest in new pre-hung doors or just go with the cheaper slab option?
3 Answers
Going with slab doors sounds reasonable, especially if the existing frames are in good shape. Just make sure that whoever installs them knows what they’re doing—that's key. If they mess it up, it doesn't matter what kind of door you choose!
If the trim is good and you’re not worried about hidden issues, just go for the slab doors. They’re typically easier to swap out compared to full pre-hung doors, especially if you've got a handy contractor. Plus, fitting a new slab is pretty straightforward!
There's no definite right answer here, but if the frames are fine, just replacing the doors might be smart. However, opting for new frames gives you a chance to inspect everything behind the trim. It could save you headaches later!