Highlights
The national average cost to install a pocket door is $1,000.
Pocket door prices vary by type, location, and project complexity.
You can save money by installing a pocket door yourself.
Pocket doors can help you preserve precious square footage while enhancing your home with an interesting design element. It costs an average of $1,000 to install a pocket door, but prices typically range from $500 to $3,500. Learn how much pocket door installation costs based on factors like whether you're installing the door during a remodeling project or a new home build.
| National Average Cost | Minimum Cost | Maximum Cost |
|---|---|---|
| $1,000 | $500 | $3,500 |
New Construction vs. Existing Wall Pocket Doors
If you're installing a pocket door while building a new home, you can expect to pay less than you would during a remodeling project.
New Construction Pocket Door
It's typically cheaper to install a pocket door when constructing a new home rather than during a remodel. That's because adding a pocket door to an existing wall usually requires demolishing a wall and potentially rearranging plumbing and electrical work. But if you install a pocket door during a new build, you can plan your build around the door. It usually costs $500 to $1,000 to install a pocket door during new home construction projects.
Existing Wall Pocket Door
The cost to install a pocket door in an existing wall during a remodeling project ranges from $2,000 to $6,000 or more. The price will vary quite a bit depending on your project's complexity, but it typically includes wall demolition, as well as any plumbing and electrical work you may need. You might also need HVAC, mold removal, and/or waste removal services, which further increase costs.
How Much Do French Pocket Doors Cost to Install?
French pocket doors feature two doors, usually composed of glass windows. The glass makes these doors heavier and more fragile to install, driving up installation costs. You can expect to pay around $735 to $1,830 to install French doors during new construction. If you install them during a remodeling project, you're looking at $2,500 to $7,000 or more.
Factors Affecting the Cost to Install Pocket Doors
Several factors affect the cost to install pocket doors. However, many of these factors usually only pertain to installing a pocket door in an existing wall.
| Factor | Cost |
|---|---|
| Wall Demolition | $1,300 – $5,000 |
| Electrical Work | $100 per hour |
| Plumbing Work | $125 per hour |
| Mold Removal | $400 – $6,000 |
| HVAC Work | $40 – $200 per hour |
| Waste Removal | $0 – $30,000 |
Pocket Door Installation Cost Breakdown
Materials
Pocket door installation materials include the door itself, which can cost anywhere from $60 to $1,000, based on the door's size, type, and style. Depending on your project's complexity, additional materials might include hardware, like fasteners and connectors, which usually cost around $100 to $350. It's also a good idea to budget about $100 to $250 to account for any additional building materials and miscellaneous supplies needed during the project.
Labor
If you hire a local general contractor to install a pocket door, you'll need to pay labor costs. Labor costs usually range from $350 to $600 for a six-hour installation, but if your project requires extensive demolition, electrical, and/or plumbing work, your costs can reach much higher.
Cost to Install a Pocket Door Yourself
You can save money on a pocket door by installing it yourself since you'll only need to pay for the cost of materials. However, some pocket door installation projects are much more intensive than others.
Cost to Install It Yourself vs. Hiring a Contractor
For a six-hour pocket door installation, you can expect to pay around $350 to $575 in labor costs. Deciding to DIY this project means you can save money on those costs. However, some pocket door installations require extensive demolition, plumbing, and electrical work. This is especially true when installing a pocket door during a remodeling project rather than a new build. If you're not comfortable with the construction involved, we recommend hiring a local pro to help.
Pocket Door Questions and Answers
What is a pocket door?
Pocket doors are sliding doors installed within a wall recess. When you shut a pocket door, it slides into the wall recess and disappears. To open it, you'll pull a small handle and slide the door out from its wall recess.
What are some benefits of pocket doors?
One of the major advantages of pocket/sliding doors is that they help conserve square footage because they don't swing out into the room like standard doors. Standard doors require around 10 square feet of space to open and close, while pocket doors don't require any. Pocket doors are also an interesting design feature that can make your home more attractive to potential buyers.
Do pocket doors cost more than standard doors?
Pocket and standard doors are similar in price, but pocket doors cost more to install than standard doors. Professionals usually charge around $150 to $200 to hang a standard door. But if you're installing a pocket door on an existing wall, you'll likely pay between $1,000 and $3,500.
How much does it cost to remove a pocket door?
Removing a pocket door essentially involves building a new wall, costing $1,000 to $2,900. Depending on your unique project, you might need to add waste removal, plumbing, mold remediation, and/or electrical services, which can further drive up costs.
