Every Rotten Frame Is a Different Repair
Homeowners often search for a single number, but two door frames with the same soft spot can be very different jobs. One needs a few inches of jamb replaced at the bottom. The other has rot that has traveled into the sill, the subfloor, and the framing behind the trim. That is why John does not quote prices without seeing the door, and why every project is priced to the client's own situation, goals, and budget.
What follows are the factors that actually drive the cost, so you know what to look for and what questions to ask.
How Far the Rot Has Spread
The biggest factor is depth. Rot usually starts at the bottom of the jamb or brick mold where water sits. If it is caught early, only that lower section needs to come out. If it has been there for several seasons, it often reaches the threshold, the sill plate, and sometimes the floor framing. John probes the wood around the visible damage to map how far it goes before recommending anything.
Repair the Frame or Replace the Whole Unit
Many contractors replace the entire door and frame because it is simpler for them. In many cases that is not necessary. A damaged section of jamb can be cut out and replaced with a matched piece, the threshold can be rebuilt, and the original door can be rehung. On older Boise homes with solid wood doors, saving the door preserves something that would be hard to replace. John explains both options and what each one involves, so you can choose.
Materials and Matching
Standard modern profiles are easy to source. Older homes often have casing and brick mold that no lumberyard carries anymore, so matching them may mean milling new pieces in the workshop. The species of wood, the paint or stain finish, and the hardware also play a part.
Finding the Water Source
A frame repair that ignores the cause will rot again. Missing flashing above the door, a threshold that slopes toward the house, gutters that overflow onto the entry, or a sprinkler that hits the door every morning are common culprits. Fixing the source is part of a lasting repair and is worth including in the plan.
Talking With John About Your Door
John looks at the door in person, explains what he finds, and builds a plan that fits the budget you are comfortable with. Every project is different, and he works with each homeowner on price rather than handing over a one size fits all number.