Understanding Door Casing Costs in Residential Construction
Door casing is essential for both aesthetics and functionality in residential construction. It frames doorways, concealing gaps and adding architectural detail. For trade professionals, understanding the cost of door casing is crucial for accurate project estimates. Typical costs range from $70 to $250 per opening, depending on materials and complexity.
Key Factors Influencing Door Casing Costs
1. Material Selection
- MDF: $4 – $6 per linear foot, ideal for painted finishes.
- Finger-joint pine: Budget-friendly, $6 – $9 per linear foot.
- Solid pine or poplar: Mid-range, $6 – $9 per linear foot.
- Hardwoods (oak, maple, walnut): Premium, $9 – $15+ per linear foot.
2. Profile Complexity
- Simple profiles require less machining.
- Elaborate designs increase material waste and labor.
3. Door Size and Quantity
- Standard doors need about 17’ of casing each.
- Oversized doors may double material and labor costs.
4. Labor and Site Conditions
- Occupied homes require careful removal and dust control.
- Unfinished sites allow faster production rates.
5. Finish Level
- Primed casing saves time on site.
- Raw wood requires additional finishing work.
Typical Price Ranges
Based on aggregated data, here are average costs:
- Entry-level finish: $70 – $100 per opening.
- Mid-grade wood: $100 – $150 per opening.
- High-end hardwood: $150 – $250+ per opening.
How CountBricks Generates Real-Time Estimates
CountBricks uses AI to convert voice notes into estimates. Speak dimensions and specs, and the AI cross-checks live material pricing and adjusts labor rates based on location and crew size.
Sample CountBricks Door Casing Cost Breakdown
- Material: 68’ MDF colonial at $4.45/lf = $302
- Fasteners, caulk, filler: $38
- Labor (carpenter + helper, 2.5 hrs): $195
- Prime & paint touch-up: $85
- Total: $620 for 4 openings – $155 per door
Five Pro Tips to Control Door Casing Costs
- Order 10% extra material to account for mistakes.
- Choose primed stock to save on-site painting.
- Bundle casing with baseboards to reduce mobilizations.
- Use back band add-ons for upscale looks without full hardwood costs.
- Leverage AI takeoffs to eliminate manual errors.
Step-by-Step Installation Overview
- Remove existing trim carefully.
- Dry-fit new casing, ensuring plumb and square.
- Cut miters or butt joints per style.
- Nail casing into jamb and studs every 12”.
- Apply filler, sand, then paint or stain.
Why Contractors Choose CountBricks
- Voice-activated estimating saves admin time.
- AI takeoffs ensure precision on large projects.
- Cloud-based collaboration aligns all stakeholders.
Explore more at CountBricks.com.
Conclusion
Door casing costs can vary, but with CountBricks, surprises are minimized. Our AI-powered tools provide fast, transparent estimates, keeping your projects on budget and your craftsmanship at the forefront.
Case Study: Speeding Up a Whole-House Trim Package
A Memphis remodeler used CountBricks to replace all door and baseboard trim in a 2,400 sq ft bungalow. The original manual process took eight hours, but with CountBricks, the takeoff was completed in 45 minutes, covering 17 interior doors and 430 linear feet of base.
Results Delivered by CountBricks
- Estimate delivered same day, improving close rate by 30%.
- Material waste reduced from 14% to 6%, saving $410.
- Integrated scheduling reduced timeline by two crew days.
- Final invoicing eliminated disputes with auto-pulled change orders.
Lessons Residential Contractors Can Apply
- Capture data once for seamless flow through estimates and invoices.
- Use regional pricing for accurate quotes.
- Communicate visually with branded PDFs for homeowner approval.
Next Steps
Ready to enhance your estimating process? Schedule a demo at CountBricks.com and explore our resources. Focus on quality work while CountBricks manages the details.
