I just wanted to add that will really look nice.
Wow. very expensive.
You have to do your research but there are very good ‘handy men or persons’ who have lots of experience and can do these sorts of jobs. My father was one.
Ask around, get recommendations.
Also, when you get a quote - ask for a breakdown in terms of labor and materials as this makes it easier to assess whether the estimated cost is reasonable. Some ‘handy’ types will ask you to pick up the materials so then it is just a question of hours to do the job. Definitely get references though because some people think they are ‘handy’ when they are not,. 
I had a great retired carpenter/odd job person who did not own a car . I picked up all the materials and picked him up and drove him home- but he did a great job and cost was very reasonable…
Well, my guys just called to tell me they would not do it for $900, it would be $1200 and they were supposed to show up tomorrow.
Sigh. This thread has been enlightening.
I have to say. I would be pretty irritated at this point.
I think you will be much happier in the long run. I would tell them no thanks and move on. I have under $100 each in materials for the doors I just built. That is with treated lumber and exterior grade sheeting.
I did tell them no thanks and they lost future work as well.
I think it depends on where you are located what a price runs. I did not find the $900 price to be high to have a contractor out to do the work.
I would be annoyed at the price change though.
[QUOTE=Crockpot;7088433]
I had a great retired carpenter/odd job person who did not own a car . I picked up all the materials and picked him up and drove him home- but he did a great job and cost was very reasonable…[/QUOTE]
Yes, if I need help with a project, this is a great point, I look for these kinds of folks through the grapevine. I know three guys who do this type of work, they’ll give you a list of materials and then they work super hard to get it done in a reasonable amount of time. MUCH better than relying on someone who will contract it out to maximize profit and may not even show up on site.
I got another quote and this one came in at $1300. Since all 3 quotes now are close to the same price, that must be the going rate. The materials cost around 400-600 dollars and I have check the prices myself. The labor ranges from $25-40/50/hr and 2 guys said 2 days work and the other said maybe in a day with 4-5 guys working on it.
Bringing this thread back for a few ‘new’ questions…builder and experienced DIY-ers:
I am interested in getting specifics on building a dutch door (3 of them, actually) similar to the door on the first link, with the plexi ‘see through’ on the top portion. It would be wood, with the plexi top portion framed out, no bars.
Anyone build something similar? Costs? Materials? Would love some input-thanks!
[QUOTE=airhorse;7087385]
Here are before and after pics of our dutch doors. Still need to make new top doors as they are rotting as well. The old doors are from Woodstar, factory primed, 5 years old. They began rotting after about 6 months.
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1074959_4529652854175_34088700_o.jpg
My husband built our door - picture was taken 3 years ago and it still looks the same - no sagging, lines up with no issues. The cost of the door was not a lot, but the hardware was. We used actual glass as this does not go in a horses stall - its just our entrance door.
The door is plywood with 2 x 4’s and 2 x 6’s I believe. It cost around $100 but the glass was extra as well as the hardware. We bought a good quaility latch and hinges as we didn’t want any issues with getting in the barn. We get a lot of weather extremes - hot in the summer and cold in the winter. The inside does frost up in the winter as its almost always above 0C inside the barn while it can be -40C outside. It has not effected the door in anyway and has held up really well.
dutch doors and end doors
I am looking at doing the same. just got a quote for replacing end barn doors with ones that aren’t so heavy and slide easier with the tempered glass on the top half( in my dreams) and it was 5500 for 2, 6’3in by 7 ft high doors. I haven’t gotten to a quote for the dutch doors yet. I’m not sure we have the height to accommodate standard replacement dutch doors. not sure how much reinforcing would have to be done to replace the windows with dutch doors. southern pines area. know anyone around there for that type work?
I just wanted to say that you are smart to do this. Gives your horses another way out if you need it.
Also, if it gets cold where you are, you might consider putting a latch on them so that when you close the top door you can then latch the top part so that it is open 4 to 6 inches. That is what I did. I can close them completely but never have. I want my horses to have some ventilation even when it is below zero and breezy as it is here tonight.
Keeps everyone healthier IMHO.
We just paid about $1k per for the metal dutch doors the builder puts in with a new build. They’re from Plyco.
Couple hundred bucks per door to install.
[QUOTE=Simkie;8018652]
We just paid about $1k per for the metal dutch doors the builder puts in with a new build. They’re from Plyco.
Couple hundred bucks per door to install.[/QUOTE]
I am working with a client buying an old barn with only small windows and she will be converting to outside dutch doors for ventilation, horse sanity, and stall exits in case of a barn fire. Estimates for metal framed dutch doors, including the surround, are $850 - 900 each plus demo and installation. These are custom built by stall front companies, not Plyco. It is an expense but important. I would suggest two latches on the outside lower door if no runs.
My brother built me Dutch doors for two stalls this summer. Cost for everything was $350. I took him out to dinner and plied him with good beer to finish them in a weekend, and then I did all the caulking and painting. The worst part was hanging them; that required two burly men (my husband and his friend).
My bro is a master carpenter and custom home builder (he’s also built indoors and fancy barns), so it was well worth the nominal cost and done right!
Fergs-would you mind sharing some pictures? I might need to pick his brain when we do ours.
