Licensing, insurance, and business standing
The first six questions have right and wrong answers. If a contractor hesitates on any of these, stop the conversation.
- 1. What's your state contractor or home-improvement license number, and can I verify it online right now?
- 2. Are you insured for general liability and workers' comp? Can I see current certificates?
- 3. How long has the business operated under its current name?
- 4. Do you carry a bond, and for how much?
- 5. Who's responsible for permits if the job needs one, you or me? (Answer must be: you.)
- 6. Are you a registered contractor with my city or county?
Scope: what's actually being replaced
"Replacing a door" means different things to different contractors, slab only, full pre-hung unit, or pre-hung plus new trim. Get the scope in writing before comparing prices.
- 7. Is this a slab replacement, a full pre-hung unit, or pre-hung plus new exterior trim?
- 8. Will you match my existing brick mould, casing, and threshold, or is that a separate line item?
- 9. Does the quote include the storm door, sidelights, or transom, if I have them?
- 10. What hardware is included versus what I'd need to buy separately?
- 11. Is haul-away and disposal of the old door included?
Frame, sill, and rough opening condition
Frame and sill problems cause more door failures and callbacks than the door itself. A contractor who skips this conversation is setting up a leak or draft complaint six months later.
- 12. Will you inspect the rough opening and sill for rot or water damage before quoting a final price?
- 13. What happens if the frame or sill needs repair once the old door is out, is that a change order or included?
- 14. How do you flash and seal the new door against water intrusion?
- 15. If the opening isn't square, how do you handle shimming and sealing?
Who actually does the work
The salesperson who quotes the job rarely does the install. The crew, and how experienced they are with your specific door type, matters more than the company name on the truck.
- 16. Who will be my project contact and how do I reach them?
- 17. Is the install crew W-2 employees or subcontractors?
- 18. How many installs of this exact door type (sliding, French, or entry) have they done this year?
- 19. What happens if my main crew is out mid-project?
Timeline, payment, and change orders
The number one cause of door-project regret is scope drift, an unexpected sill repair or a backordered glass panel that shows up as a change order with no warning.
- 20. What's the expected lead time on the door itself, and is it in stock or special-order?
- 21. What's the payment schedule and what triggers each draw?
- 22. Is the quote fixed-price, and what's specifically excluded?
- 23. What happens to the schedule if the door is backordered?
Warranty and post-install
The warranty conversation reveals the contractor's confidence in their own workmanship, separate from the manufacturer's material warranty.
- 24. What's your workmanship warranty in years, and what does it cover, drafts, water intrusion, hardware failure?
- 25. What's the manufacturer's warranty on the door itself, and does it require professional install to stay valid? Can I have three references from installs completed 2–5 years ago (not new ones)?
| Flag | What it usually means |
|---|---|
| No verifiable license | Unlicensed work - voids insurance and resale disclosures |
| Wants > 30–50% deposit | Cash-flow issue; your money funds another job |
| No written change orders | Guaranteed dispute mid-project |
| Skips frame/sill inspection | Setting up a draft or leak callback |
| References only from last 6 months | No long-term proof the work holds up |
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Frequently asked questions
How do I verify a door contractor's license?+
Most states have an online license lookup, search "[state] contractor license lookup." Confirm the name matches, the license is active, and there are no unresolved complaints. Some states don't license general door installers at the state level; in that case, verify city registration and insurance instead.
Is the lowest door installation bid usually missing something?+
Often, yes. Ask what's excluded from every bid before comparing prices. A bid that's noticeably lower usually skips sill/frame repair, trim matching, haul-away, or hardware, items that show up as change orders once the old door comes out.
Should I buy my own door or let the contractor supply it?+
Either can work, but if you supply the door, confirm the contractor will still honor a workmanship warranty and that they've reviewed the manufacturer's install requirements before starting.
How much deposit is reasonable for a door installation job?+
10-30% is standard, often tied to ordering the door itself. Some states cap contractor deposits by law. Anything above 30-50% up front for a standard residential job is worth questioning.
Keep planning your flooring project
Questions to Ask a Door Contractor by state
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