So i am redoing the upstairs in my house and need to replace 2 doors. Problem is i cant use prehung doors because the frame is built into the ceiling. So i would need to do blank doors or doors with the handle hole cut out but no hinge cutouts. Anyone have any tips on doing this? I was going to just pay someone but it seems everyone i called to do it didnt want to get involved or didnt want the work or charged what i think was too much. If anyone knows anyone in north jersey that does this at a reasonable price please let me know.

_{Not that hard to diy- use ths old doors as a template. A utility knife to carefully cut the outline of the hinge recess then a patient hand with a sharp chisel to slowly shave out the inside.If you need to cut out for the knob/handle a good holesaw thru a pilot hole. Hardest part is a careful horizontal hole cut from the door edge thru to the knob hole just take your time. The hardware will give you all the dimensions.If you get pre-drilled blanks keep in mind the hole may not line up with the existing hole in the frame/jamb.Use sharp tools, will make a dif.Measure twice-cut once.}

I've used the utility knife and chisel method. There are tools available to mark the hinge outline.

 

(Just be careful, as I learned one Saturday night, with the interesting sensation of a sharp utility knife slicing through nerve, artery, and hitting bone.)

Chris,

 

I'm in town.  Pm me and I can help out.  I also have the router templates for the hinges and the boring tools for the lockset.

 

-Dan

You are never going to find doors with the same lock position bored in the same place as your old doors.  Get blank doors,  use a story pole for the hinge locations on the frame, (use a dime or nickel between the frame and top of story pole) and drill the door holes using a 2 1/8 and 1" hole saws.  Done THOUSANDS of these if you need a hand.

You cut and plane the door to suit the frame then mark the hinges, cut out the mortise latch and handles to match original .

I used to hang 12 a day in older homes ( when I was younger lol)

Story pole IMO adds a level of error. 

 

Lay old door on top of new slab door (after removing hinges and lockset from old door), transfer hinge locations directly from old to new with square, transfer lockset location by tracing old to , at the same time, mark the door where it needs to be trimmed (if the old door fit well) etc etc etc.

 

The above is all providing that the old door fit well.  Otherwise you guys above are the way to go.

Story pole IMO adds a level of error. 

 

Lay old door on top of new slab door (after removing hinges and lockset from old door), transfer hinge locations directly from old to new with square, transfer lockset location by tracing old to , at the same time, mark the door where it needs to be trimmed (if the old door fit well) etc etc etc.

 

The above is all providing that the old door fit well.  Otherwise you guys above are the way to go.

 

old door is missing in action. not there when i got there.

old door missing not a problem.

Becareful, using a hollow core or solid core door?  Hollows will require a lot more work if frame opening is non-standard. Some solids are not solid either, fillled with compressed sawdust type material.  Requires internal filler strips be made and glued in.

 

A good lumber yard can have the door slab made to fit the opening, then you can miter for hinges and door handle.  Not cheap but door will fit nice in opening.  I see your in Wayne, Kuikens in Fair Lawn or Roseland, Maresca's is Pequannock, or West Essex Lumber in Roseland are a few I  know that can all have a door slab made to fit the opening that you can then hang or have someone do it.  You could choose a style that matches close to your existing doors, if you are keeping them, or choosing new.