Door estimation is a critical component of construction cost estimating, especially for commercial and institutional projects in high-regulation cities like New York City. Doors are more than basic openings—they contribute to access control, fire safety, acoustics, thermal envelope performance, and ADA compliance.
At True Bid Data, we offer accurate USA-based estimating services for contractors, developers, and architects. Estimating doors goes beyond quantity takeoffs—hardware sets, installation methods, and specialty materials can significantly impact pricing and bid competitiveness.
Why Door Estimation Matters in NYC Projects
In New York City, public agencies such as SCA, DDC, OGS, and NYCHA require itemized estimates for all door types—interior, exterior, fire-rated, acoustical, or blast-resistant—complete with door frames, hinges, locks, closers, and panic devices. Without precision, bidders risk underestimating the complexity of:
- Fire-rated assemblies
- Security doors and access control
- ADA and life-safety hardware
- Prevailing wage labor
Failing to factor these can result in costly change orders or non-compliance with agency guidelines.
What’s Included in a Door Estimation Scope
An effective door estimate includes multiple layers of detail, including:
Door Type and Material
- Solid Core Wood Doors – For offices, schools, and residences
- Hollow Metal Doors – Common in stairwells, mechanical rooms, and exteriors
- Aluminum or Glass Doors – Storefronts, lobbies, and high-end spaces
- FRP or Stainless-Steel Doors – For healthcare or high-abuse areas
The cost varies per square foot, with hollow metal doors ranging from $220–$450 per unit in NYC depending on gauge, hardware, and finish.
Frames
Frames may be knockdown, welded, or continuous. Special conditions like sidelight frames, borrowed lites, and fire-rated frames increase costs and installation complexity.
Hardware Sets
Hardware is the most overlooked yet high-impact variable in door estimating. Set types include:
- Passage or privacy locks
- Panic bars
- Magnetic locks with access control
- Automatic operators (ADA compliant)
- Continuous hinges or pivot hardware
- Weather stripping and thresholds
Each set must be matched to spec sheets and hardware schedules—especially on agency jobs like DASNY or SUNY, where each opening is reviewed at submittal.
Door Estimating Process at True Bid Data
Our NYC-focused estimating workflow ensures all door elements are accurately captured and priced:
Step 1: Digital Plan Takeoff
Using software like PlanSwift, we extract door schedules, elevations, and floor plans to determine:
- Door count and type per floor
- Frame type and wall condition
- Opening size (height × width)
- Fire rating, vision lite requirement, and egress direction
We also cross-reference specification Division 08 for performance and compliance requirements.
Step 2: Hardware Schedule Review
We analyze hardware sets per door tag and assign cost groupings.
Step 3: Labor Estimation
Labor rates vary depending on union vs non-union jobs. NYC union rates may exceed $120/hour, with installation time ranging:
- Standard door & frame: 1.25–2 hours
- Hardware installation: 1–1.5 hours
- Access control or operators: 2–4 hours
We provide labor units per opening and apply local productivity rates based on prior NYC projects.
Door Estimating Challenges in NYC
Estimating doors in New York City requires careful attention to:
- Fire-rating and certifications (especially for SCA or DDC)
- Swing direction for egress compliance
- Lead time of specialty doors (FRP or acoustic)
- Coordination with access control vendors
- Door schedule inconsistencies on older or public sector drawings
Failure to check these often results in RFIs or underpriced scopes.
Public Agency Requirements: SCA, OGS, and DDC
For public projects in NYC:
- The SCA requires door types to be coded per the SCA MasterSpec
- OGS and DDC ask for unit price breakdowns for doors, frames, and hardware separately
- Labor must reflect prevailing wage tables per NYC Comptroller guidelines
- NYCHA projects often require vandal-proof or heavy-duty doors and multi-trade coordination
We deliver all our estimates in CSI Master Format Division 08 format, ready for submission.
Recent NYC Door Estimation Case Study
On a recent school upgrade in Brooklyn, our team estimated:
- 62 hollow metal doors with fire ratings
- 4 aluminum storefront doors
- 7 automatic operators with wireless push plates
- 18 unique hardware sets
Our estimate factored prevailing wage, hardware lead times, and coordination with the security contractor. The GC won the bid within 1.2% of our estimate.
Conclusion
Door estimation is never just about quantity—it’s about compliance, detail, and integration. At True Bid Data, we combine architectural plan review, spec interpretation, and real-time NYC pricing to ensure your door estimates are accurate, fast, and field-ready.
Whether you’re estimating for a public bid or a private development in New York City, we’ve got your back—one opening at a time.
