Few components appear as simple yet influence overall project cost as much as the door jamb. A miscalculation can ripple into framing, finish carpentry, and final inspection delays. At CountBricks, our AI-powered estimate engine tracks real-time lumber prices, labor rates, and regional code requirements to keep your budget on target.
The jamb is the vertical framework that anchors the door slab, hinges, and hardware to the surrounding wall. Because it ties structural framing to finished trim, its material choice, dimensions, and installation sequence all affect cost.
• Basic paint-grade pine jamb: $55–$85 per opening
• Primed MDF jamb for flush interior doors: $60–$95 per opening
• Solid hardwood jamb (oak, maple, alder): $110–$190 per opening
• Exterior composite jamb with integrated weather-seal: $140–$225 per opening
These figures reflect material only. Labor, hardware, and finish add to the total, which is why CountBricks separates each line item inside our digital quote viewer.
Hardwoods elevate aesthetics but require wider stock and specialty blades. CountBricks.com/services shows how swapping to finger-joint pine can reduce material spend by nearly 35 % without sacrificing durability in climate-controlled spaces.
A 7-0 x 3-0 entry door needs thicker jamb legs, extended header stock, and larger shims. Every extra inch of jamb width adds between $3 and $5 to raw material.
Exterior door jambs often need composite or LVL cores to handle wind load and moisture. Interior doors near garages may need 20-minute fire-rated jamb kits. CountBricks’ blueprint takeoff tool flags these codes automatically so you see the cost impact early.
Shop-primed jambs reduce on-site painting labor but add $6–$9 to material. Conversely, raw jambs are cheaper upfront but extend production schedules. CountBricks voice capture lets you decide on the fly and updates the estimate in real time.
• Retrofits in existing plaster walls often take 30 % longer than new framing
• Split-jamb assemblies cut labor but cost more to purchase
• Radius or arch-top openings add custom milling and template time
On standard 8-foot ceilings, a seasoned carpenter can set and shim a pre-hung jamb in about 45 minutes. Using CountBricks regional labor data, that equals roughly $55–$75 per interior opening in Riverside and surrounding Southern California suburbs. Exterior jambs average one hour of labor because of heavier stock and weatherproof flashing.
1. Determine jamb type (pre-hung, split, knock-down)
2. Multiply by the average install time from CountBricks labor database
3. Factor specialty tasks such as fire caulk or threshold leveling
4. Add crew travel and setup (commonly 0.25 labor hours)
Real-Time Pricing Feeds
CountBricks syncs directly with national lumber yards and local millwork suppliers every morning. If spruce stud prices jump overnight, your jamb allowance adjusts instantly, protecting profit margins.
Voice-Driven Change Orders
Mid-site conversation with the homeowner? Speak the change into your phone, and CountBricks regenerates the entire jamb package, issuing a fresh invoice before the drywall crew arrives.
Blueprint AI Takeoffs
Upload plans to CountBricks.com/blueprints, and our AI counts every interior and exterior door, tags width, height, swing, and fire rating, then pushes those details into a line-item cost report—no manual counting, no missed jambs.
Project: 2,100 sq ft single-family in Riverside, CA (CountBricks Project #RB271).
• 18 interior pine split jambs @ $72 each = $1,296
• 2 exterior composite jambs @ $185 each = $370
• Hinges, screws, shims = $142
• Labor 22 hours @ $68/hr = $1,496
Total door jamb package: $3,304
Because our AI flagged two code-required 20-minute jambs near the garage, we avoided a $450 re-inspection fee and saved a full workday.
• Order oversized jamb legs and rip to size on-site; reduces supplier lead time
• Choose finger-joint jambs for painted rooms—same look, lower price
• Use adjustable split jambs in remodels; they accommodate uneven wall thickness without custom milling
• Pre-drill hinge locations with a jig to cut install time by 15 %
• Let CountBricks auto-generate punch-list items so nothing slips through final inspection
Homeowners often overspend on slab design yet overlook jamb quality. A solid hardwood jamb paired with high-end hinges can:
• Support heavier solid-core doors without sagging
• Provide tighter reveals for a luxury fit and finish
• Increase acoustic separation between rooms
The incremental cost is roughly $55 per opening—minimal compared to repainting misaligned doors later. CountBricks helps you present these upgrade options clearly inside every quote.
Ready to lock down your door jamb cost? Visit CountBricks.com/consultation to schedule a live screen-share. Our team will walk you through voice capture, AI takeoffs, and instant estimate generation so your next residential build stays on time and on budget.
CountBricks Project #RB344 involved a four-bedroom spec home in Corona, CA. The developer had just 120 days from groundbreaking to listing. Door jamb cost control was critical because supply-chain shocks were pushing lumber up weekly.
• 26 interior openings, each specified with solid-core slabs
• Weather-exposed framing meant moisture-resistant jambs for all exteriors
• Design team changed trim profiles twice during framing
1. Our blueprint AI identified every jamb type and fed quantities into a live worksheet.
2. Voice conversation with the site super captured the trim changes; CountBricks auto-recalculated jamb widths and projected lead times in under 90 seconds.
3. Real-time supplier feeds revealed a 12 % price drop on LVL jamb stock that morning. We locked the purchase order immediately, saving $418.
• Total jamb package landed at $4,912—4.7 % under the original allowance
• Zero back-orders or inspection delays
• Project reached market 11 days early, amplifying the developer’s ROI
• Use CountBricks voice capture to document design tweaks on the spot
• Review live material dashboards daily to exploit favorable price shifts
• Rely on our AI takeoffs to flag code-specific jamb requirements before framing begins
Door jamb cost may never be a headline item, but it is a silent profit lever when managed with precision. Connect with our estimating team at CountBricks.com/services and start turning small components into big savings.
