Doors & windows in Los Angeles
Sticking doors, broken locks, window screens, weatherstripping, patio-door rollers, single-pane balance repair, trim. Our LA pros handle the finish work; full window replacement routes to a window specialist.
What LA door and window work covers
LA\'s housing stock is old and has been through a lot. Pre-war Craftsman doors that never closed quite right; mid-century aluminum sliders with shot rollers; 1990s vinyl windows with failed balances and broken tilt latches. Most of it is repair-level work, not replacement — a handyman visit fixes 80% of the complaints under $300.
Our LA pros handle: door adjustment and rehanging, lock swap, weatherstripping, patio door roller replacement, window screen rebuild, window balance repair, interior trim and casing. Full window replacement is a specialty contractor (permit-required in CA for most new installs).
What we handle
How it works
Photo of the door or window, description of the problem, brand/model if on a label.
Handyman for all the above. Glass replacement, full window replacement → C-17 glazier, specialty trade.
Most visits 1–2 hrs. Common parts (rollers, balance cords, spline, weatherstripping) in-truck.
Los Angeles specifics
Earthquake-shifted doors: in older LA wood-frame homes (pre-1950), minor earthquake settlement racks the frame by 1/8"–1/4", and your door stops closing. Fix: plane the door edge, reshim the hinges, or move the strike plate. All under an hour. No replacement needed 95% of the time.
1950s–70s aluminum slider rollers: nearly every mid-century LA home has a sliding patio door with worn rollers. Door drags, scratches the track, is hard to open. Replacement roller kits (universal or brand-specific) available; install takes 30–60 min per door. Budget part: $20–60.
Window screens shredded by LA sun: polyester and fiberglass screens degrade in 5–8 years under direct LA sun. We rebuild screens on-site with new spline and mesh; frames stay. Pet-resistant mesh upgrade available.
Pre-1978 door paint (lead risk): if sanding, chipping, or refinishing painted doors in a pre-1978 LA home, EPA RRP rules apply. Our certified pros follow containment + HEPA-vac protocols. Never sand a pre-1978 painted door dry without containment.
Title 24 + window replacement: full window replacements in CA require Title 24 compliance (U-factor ≤ 0.32, SHGC ≤ 0.25 in most climate zones). A handyman can\'t pull a window-replacement permit — that\'s C-17 glazing contractor. We do repair and screens, not full replacement.
Typical door & window pricing in LA
Pricing is labor-only; hardware + parts extra.
Pricing is informational. <!-- TODO: DENIS — verify -->
Frequently asked questions
My door won't close — earthquake shifted my frame. Fix or replace?
Almost always fix. Options: plane the door edge (1/8"–3/8" to clear), reshim hinges, or move the strike plate. We try least-invasive first. Replacement is only needed if the frame itself has racked significantly (rare).
Can you replace my broken window glass?
No — glass replacement is C-17 glazier scope. We refer. We do repair everything around the glass (screens, balance, weatherstrip, hardware, casing, trim).
My patio door is hard to slide — can it be fixed?
Yes, almost always. 95% of the time: worn rollers. Roller kit + install = $140–260. Occasionally: bent track (rare, caused by slamming into debris). Replacement kit, we install in 30–60 min per door.
I have old single-pane windows — energy loss. Replace or add storm?
Full replacement (Title 24 compliant) through a glazier is the standard approach — $600–1,500 per window. Cheaper interim: interior storm windows (Indow, LarsonVista) — we can install those. About $150–250 per window cost.
Smart lock install on a 1920s solid wood door?
Usually works. Requirements: standard 1" deadbolt bore, door thickness 1⅜"–1¾". Old doors sometimes have non-standard holes — we use a retrofit plate or bore enlargement. Most smart locks (August, Schlage, Yale) fit.
Weatherstripping is dirty and flat — replace or clean?
If the foam/vinyl is compressed and not springing back, replace. Cleaning dirty-but-elastic weatherstripping with a damp cloth is fine. New weatherstripping cuts LA cooling cost in summer and drafts in winter.
Can you install a new front door (prehung)?
Yes — prehung door swap (existing frame stays, unit goes in as one piece) is standard handyman work. Budget $400–800 labor + door cost ($300–1,200 for a standard exterior door).
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