Expert: Bruce E. Johnson - 9/1/2010

Question
My home is a year old and we've decided to add a side door
but the builders around the job site are shunning me away
from the idea.
Is it possible to add a side door now that the house is
already built, without negatively affecting the structure of
our home? What would be involved?

The outside of the home is brick...
Thanks


Answer
Hi Candice, it's not too hard to install a new door into the side of an existing house but it has to be done properly and safely.  For Brick facade construction you will need to install a lintel of some sort to support the brick.  And you will need a separate new lintel for the interior wall structure. Depending on the wall costruction you will need either a wood header or a masonry header.  The builders you are talking to probably just don't want or need the work.  You may need to find a smaller contractor to do this project. I would venture a job like this to run 2500-3000 dollars which  should include a new pre-hung exterior door valued at 500-700 dollars. You may need a building permit to do this project which you will have to pay for.
I hope this information helps, please feel free to write again regarding this or other matters, sincerely bruce e johnson