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Is it possible to get a set of wood exterior french doors made in jamb for under $1000?

4K views 35 replies 17 participants last post by  DanKrager 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
I'm a member here because of other woodworking endeavors, but I am about to do some home rennovations and I need quite a few french door sets made. The prices I'm getting so far are not feasible. I understand what goes into the process, however most of my units are very similar- the variation only comes in length… I know a lot of the shops that are advertised are charging for overheads, etc. I'm wondering if there are potential suppliers on here and if I am posting this in the right place to solicit them (or if that is even permissable)? 6- light (3 in each slab)/ true divided light/ mostly exterior/white oak/fir jamb.

Thanks, Jackie
 
#2 ·
To answer your subject line which is very generalized, yes it's possible, at least in my area there are several door vendors with prices in that range for french doors.

Their bread-winner or money maker doors are the inlaid glass, double paneled, inert gas filled type solid entry doors, that's their big bread winners for residential.
 
#5 ·
BGT, name, number, website? I'm willing to buy out of state and go pick up for a good price. I need 10 sets (3 interior/ 7 exterior) and 1 set of french casement windows that is essentially a shortened version of the same set (the kickplate would be eliminated).
Monte, Is there a place on this forum to ask for bids or is that prohibited? Maybe I just missed it.
Dannelson, All over the place but quite high…

Thanks guys. Inviting more info till I find someone who does want to do it:)...
 
#6 ·
You have not mentioned quality or any other specs. Try going to Anderson windows and see what they have. I know they are upper end, but that will give you and idea. I use them a lot and get no bad feed-back
 
#8 ·
What you are asking for is custom (ie. true divided lights). Custom is at a premium price usually. Perhaps you may get lucky because you want so many made that you can get the price range under a $1000 per
 
#12 ·
Just an update. I did post the project on Custom Made. We'll see how that goes- I'm not quite sure how to post a link to it, unfortunately. They have a video telling more but with the internet speed I am getting in my beloved boonies on this rainy day, that's not gonna work for me.
 
#13 ·
If the Asheville NC area isn't too far for you, I can give you contact info on a guy that did wonderful work for us & our clients when we had our Architectural Salvage business. Let me know.
 
#16 · (Edited by Moderator)
I don't know exactly what you have in mind, but you may want to try this if you have the capability to do some door hanging and trimming. I made up a beautiful set of glass-paned french doors for an outdoor entrance complete with two smaller side doors acting as full length windows. I went to a building surplus place and found what were new doors with glass pains from bottom to top. They obviously had holes drilled for the door locks in the wrong place and had been "surplused". I filled the holes with automotive body putty (Bondo) and used a belt sander to sand the over-filled holes flush. I also found two more matching doors that were smaller in width and used them as side windows to the right and left of the french doors. The door have been up now for about six years and have held up beautifully. The Bondo filling has held up well with no visible cracks or shrinking/expanding in the paint over it. It does take some effort and thought to get the doors hung properly, but if you have some woodworking experience you should be able to do a good job with a minor bit of cursing.

Planeman
 
#17 · (Edited by Moderator)
THanks Planeman. I need so many and they need to match….and they are unique in that I only want horizontal muntins (I've only seen those in salvage places on the west coast) so that's out for this situation.

I hope to hear back from WNCGuy's contact and I've gotten some other requests for quotes out there. I priced materials (glass and all) and they are coming in at about $5000. So with my budget of $15,000 I would think a guy with the right tools could make a respectable profit from the job, especially since most of them are all the same. Once you set up, 80% of the job is just copies! Maybe I know too much for my own good. Maybe I'm a tightwad, but if I had the right tools and it was my trade, I could knock these out and make a nice profit doing it. Sorry for the rant. I'm starting to realize why so many people choose illegal laborers (not that I'm saying I would do that- I still wouldn't). One of the quotes I got was for 90K. Really? I respect woodworking tremendously but at that price, I'm paying for someone's beach house, and it ain't mine.
 
#18 ·
why dont you and your husband make them? You can hire a good guy to help in the making…...

I have worked for many shops doing this kind of doors and Architectural woodwork and sadly, what all them do, is to "wrap" MDF with all type of veneers, and make the client think they are getting "solid" stuff…...
 
#19 · (Edited by Moderator)
I've been seriously thinking about it for a long time. I bought an out of print book about it… in a nutshell my husband works really long hours, and I homeschool and will be general contracting (as an owner builder) the entire remodel (we've been doing everything ourselves every spare minute with every spare dime and have been living in a mess for three years-we're finally getting a loan to finish it)... so I'm hesitant to take it on, especially with no experience…
You know… I didn't think about just hiring a guy to help me though… that would change things a bit, now wouldn't it.. hmmmm…..I'll have to think about that one! Thanks for the idea!
 
#20 ·
As a long term contractor and woodshop owner I would be careful about hiring help. Over the years I've found that many people talk a good story when interviewing but they don't really have the skills they say they do. If you end up with one of these type of workers they can destroy a few thousand dollars worth of material and tools before your realize they don't know what there doing. There's always the security issue too,not knowing there background. Just be very careful. I've been doing this for 25 years and have come to know the right questions to ask when hiring help. I always run a background check on who every I'm thinking of hiring. Good luck with your project.
 
#21 · (Edited by Moderator)
I appreciate that. I do- about the lumber and being careful- it's a good reminder. I had a terrible experience with a guy about 10 years ago (that was recommended to me by a friend- go figure), who threatened me. I think he actually attempted to break into our house at one point. He knew when my husband was gone. It was very scary. It's why I now have a handgun. I don't know how to run a background check on someone, but I'm sure I can find out pretty quickly. That's a good idea. Thanks again.
 
#22 · (Edited by Moderator)


http://www.etodoors.com/shop/product/162

Is this the configuration you're looking for? This company doesn't show white oak (mahogany?? pictured) but Ii don't see how you could get doors like this, prehung, made of white oak with non-standard heights and probably custon jambs (anything not 4-9/16") for $1000. I'm retired and haven't priced any doors for awhile but I'd guess the upcharges for each non-standard door would be $350-500 each.

Seven exterior doors like this is intense. The lock sets alone would buy a table saw. Is this an older home? I've not made any doors but I've hung a bunch of replacements and it's pretty common to run into insect or water damage under the doors when removed.

I'm sorry to scare you or be a bummer but if cost is an issue, I'd explore alternatives to all those large openings.
 
#26 ·
Id like to throw my two cents in on this. I have seen thuis scenario over and over again in my business. I agree with Jim 100% on this. Be very careful about who you hire. You quoted the material and said someone could make a handsome profit on the remainder of your budget. This is based on your knowledge of running a cabinet (or door making) business. I say this because this happens to me over and over in my business (I own a timber framiing company) and I wanted to let yo see the flip side of the coin.
Many people come to me and explain if they had the time or the space they would do this themselves. Its a little insulting. Now….making doors and making a timber frame are different but both encompass a fine skill set to get the job done right. Making doors is a fine trade and there is more that goes into it for a long lasting professinal door than most people think. If you find a contrcator that is willing to make these doors on site there is a good chance he needs work and may lack the skills to do your job properly in a timely manner…..if at all. If you find someone with the proper skills and tools…..they probably have a shop. No one likes "paying for overhead", but unfortunately 95% of the guys out there that need to pay for overhead also need to produce the quality of work that will sustain that overhead.
For example…..does the contractor you are hiring to help you have insurance? You may think its not a big deal because its just doors, but if he cuts a finger off on your site working on your job…...you can get the bill AND get sued for that. Professionals have several kinds of insurance, licenses, are usually members of builders associations, etc. This all costs them money.
I have great talent in my shop…..we are completely set up to make most anything out of wood…..if the material for your job was $5000 as you say leaving $10,000 left in your budget there is no way we could make those doors and turn a profit…..let alone pay for my beach house (which, consequently i dont have …lol)
Now Im not saying YOU cant do this…...i think its awesome if you can…...just be cautious about who you hire to save a buck AND be realistic about your own skill set and the quality that you will accept for the finished product. Like many guys in here Ive seen this same thing over and over and over…...most ofthe time it doesnt work out well. You may find that "needle in a haystack" guy whos and awesome craftsman and works cheap…...but thats a tough find. A lot of us spent many years honing skills (that we continue to work on and polish) and usually dont like the notion of giving that away for ten bucks an hour.
I apologize for the long winded response, but as I said….Ive seen this more times than I can count. I have a wooden plaque carved over the door to my shop that sums it up perfect….it reads:
It's unwise to pay too much, but it's worse to pay too little. When you pay too much, you lose a little money-that is all. When you pay too little, you sometimes lose everything, because the thing you bought was incapable of doing the thing it was bought to do. The common law of business balance prohibits paying a little and getting a lot-it can't be done. If you deal with the lowest bidder, it is well to add something for the risk you run, and if you do that you will have enough to pay for something better.There is hardly anything in the world that someone cannot make a little worse and sell a little cheaper, and the people who consider price alone are that person's lawful prey.

Happy hunting
 
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