Interior doors, trim and stairs The details you touch daily
This job covers the finish carpentry that ties a renovated house together: interior doors, baseboard, door and window casing, crown molding, and stairs, including treads, risers, balusters and handrails. What matters most is that walls and floors are finished and flat first, because trim and doors are fitted to them. Call 804-566-7669.
How it works
- Call 804-566-7669Your call connects to an independent contractor in your area.
- Talk it throughSay what you want done, the age of the house and when you hope to start.
- Get it in writingScope, schedule and price on paper before any work starts. Then you decide.
1What interior doors, trim and stairs involves
Interior doors come as slabs, which fit into existing frames, or prehung units that include a new frame and hinges. Slabs suit sound, square frames, while prehung doors are often easier when changing door sizes, after a gut renovation, or when old frames are out of square. Common styles include flat, shaker and paneled designs, in hollow core or solid core. Solid core doors block more sound, which helps for bedrooms, offices and bathrooms.
Trim includes baseboard, door and window casing, and sometimes crown molding or wainscoting. Materials include MDF, finger-jointed pine, and solid hardwoods for stained work. Trim goes in after flooring in most cases, so baseboard covers the expansion gap, and it is fitted to the walls with caulk and filler for a clean painted finish. Matching an older home’s existing profiles may take custom milling. Plan trim after flooring throughout is installed.
Stair work ranges from new treads and risers over the existing structure, to replacing balusters and handrails, to rebuilding a stair. Stairs have safety requirements in most codes: consistent riser heights and tread depths, handrails on stairs with several risers, and guards where the side is open. Replacing a railing or changing a stair layout may need a permit and must meet current rules, so check local code before choosing a design.
How the work usually goes
- Confirm walls and floors are doneDrywall should be finished and primed, and flooring installed, so doors and trim fit final surfaces.
- Measure and orderMeasure openings, door swings and trim runs, and order doors, trim and stair parts, which can have lead times.
- Hang doorsInstall prehung units or fit slabs to existing frames, checking for level, plumb and even gaps.
- Install trimFit casing, baseboard and any crown, with tight joints, then fill nail holes and caulk seams.
- Rebuild or update stairsInstall treads, risers, balusters and handrails, keeping rise and run consistent and railings secure.
- Paint, stain and hardwareFinish doors, trim and stairs, then install knobs, hinges and stops.
2What decides it
Need new doors, trim or stairs?
3Common mistakes
- Installing trim before flooringBaseboard installed first can leave gaps or block flooring. Install flooring first so trim covers the edge cleanly.
- Ordering slabs for out-of-square framesA new slab will not close well in a twisted frame. Use prehung units when frames are damaged or out of square.
- Uneven stair risersInconsistent riser heights are a tripping hazard and often fail inspection. Account for new flooring thickness on treads and landings.
- Loose or low railingsA railing is a safety part, not just decoration. Anchor posts and handrails firmly into framing and meet local height rules.
4When to call a pro
Need new doors, trim or stairs?
Talk to a local contractor about it today.
5Questions
What happens when I call?
Your call to 804-566-7669 connects to an independent local contractor. Describe the project, ask your questions, and decide whether you want a quote. Calling does not commit you to anything. iLikeToFix earns a referral fee when a call connects; here is how that works.
Should I buy slab doors or prehung doors?
Slab doors are just the door and fit into your existing frame, which works when frames are sound and square and you want to keep existing trim. Prehung doors come mounted in a new frame with hinges, which makes installation more predictable and suits renovations, size changes or damaged frames. Prehung units usually mean replacing the casing too, so plan trim at the same time.
Is MDF or wood better for trim?
MDF is smooth, stable and takes paint well, which makes it popular for painted baseboard and casing in dry areas. It can swell if it gets wet, so it is less suited to bathrooms or areas near entry doors. Finger-jointed pine is a common painted option that handles moisture better. Solid hardwood is the choice for stained trim. Many homes mix materials by room.
Can I replace carpet on stairs with wood?
Usually, yes. Some homes have hardwood treads under the carpet that can be refinished, but many have construction-grade treads meant to be covered. Those can be capped with new treads or replaced. Adding thickness changes the top and bottom riser heights, which must stay consistent with the rest of the stair, so a carpenter plans the change with the finished floor in mind.
Do stair railings have to meet code?
In most places, yes. Codes typically require handrails on stairs with several risers and guards along open sides and landings above a certain height, with rules for height, strength and baluster spacing. Exact requirements vary by location, and replacing a railing may require bringing it up to current code. Check with your building department before changing a railing design.
Related whole-home jobs
Interior doors, trim and stairs start with one call
Talk to a local contractor. Calling does not commit you to anything.