Cost to Install a Retractable Screen – 2021

| Last Updated: August 22, 2021

National Average Improvement and Repair Cost

Pro

DIY

Hours:

2

4

Cost:

$ 220

$ 145

Would you do this project? According to our survey, 70% of respondents preferred DIY compared to hiring a pro.

The average price to Install a Retractable Screen noted above is cost data to compare a contractor’s estimate with doing it yourself.

What’s the cost to add a retractable screen? The contractor cost to install a retractable screen is $220 vs. doing it yourself for $145 and saving 34 percent.

Nothing beats a screen door for keeping pesky bugs out and nice cool breezes coming in.

Now, in addition to the traditional models that swing on hinges or slide in a track, there’s a new type of screen door that retracts and blends with the door frame housing, providing a clear, unobstructed view. Think of a window shade on its side and you get the picture.

You’ll find retractable screen door kits sold at home centers and online by typing “retractable screen door kit” in a search engine. They mount inside a doorframe with either a left- or right-hand operation. The components include the screen housing, a top, and bottom track and sill plate, and two-door pulls.

The retractable screen doors come in several colors and sizes to fit most single, double, and slider doors. For the unit to function properly, all corners of the door must be square or less than 1/4-inch out-of-square.

A handyman service will charge $220 to install a standard height retractable screen, which includes labor and material; but you can buy the unit for $145 and install it yourself, saving 34 percent.

Have an accurate sketch of your door with measurements of its width and height. You’ll need an electric drill with bits, a Phillips screwdriver, hacksaw, file, carpenter’s square, and measuring tape. Since you’re working at the top and bottom of the door, it’s useful to have someone help you line up the tracks while you’re installing them. Assuming the doorframe is square and free of hardware it’ll take an hour or two to install the screen.

That sums it up. Knowing the average cost to install a retractable screen lets you compare doing it yourself with what you can expect to pay a contractor.

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Welcome! We hope you’ll find the job costs of home improvement projects useful when you’re deciding whether to do a job yourself vs. hire a contractor. We’re the authors of 20 home improvement books, most notably Home Improvement for Dummies©, Bathroom Remodeling for Dummies©, Carpentry for Dummies©, Plumbing for Dummies©, and Painting and Wallpapering for Dummies©. Our most recent book Fix It and Flip It is in its second edition. We’ve appeared as home improvement experts on television programs such as CNN, Dateline, the Today Show, HGTV and many others.