Door and window repair: adjustments, hardware, weatherstripping
Door that sticks every summer, window that drafts every winter, latch that never really closed. LA homes shift with heat and age; most of these fixes cost under $300 and 90 minutes — if you catch them now.
What doors & windows covers
DIY vs. hire — which makes sense for your job
When DIY works
Tightening a loose hinge screw, swapping a knob, or replacing weatherstripping tape is accessible DIY. Where it gets hard: adjusting a sticking door (usually the hinge or the frame has shifted), replacing sliding patio door rollers (disassemble heavy glass door), and window balance spring replacement (specialty parts).
When to hire
A pro carries hinge shims, strike-plate files, screw fillers, and common door hardware stock. Most door adjustments: 15-30 minutes. Patio roller replacement: 1-2 hours. Window screen patch: 20-40 minutes.
Permit, license, and safety
Door and window repair is handyman scope. No permit required for adjustments, hardware swaps, weatherstripping, or repairs to existing openings. No license required.
Exception: cutting a new opening for a door or window (new rough frame, structural header install) is structural work — requires a building permit and either a B General Contractor or a C-5 Framing & Rough Carpentry license. Replacement in an existing opening is almost always handyman or repair-grade work.
This hub covers doors & windows generally. We serve Los Angeles County — for LA-specific pricing, neighborhood-level detail (pre-1978 homes, earthquake considerations, HOA rules), and typical local sub-contractor routing, see our Los Angeles doors & windows page.
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