Know what your quote includes and agree beforehand how unexpected opening damage will be handled. Plan for an open entrance, safe access and weather-appropriate clothing. At the walkthrough, operate the door and locks yourself, review any outstanding items and keep the written care and warranty documents.
Before the crew arrives: access, pets and weather
Clear both sides of the entrance, including mats, plant pots, decorations and furniture that restricts access. Put fragile items safely away from the work area. Keep a route through the home available as agreed with Oscar, and discuss parking and unloading access in advance. If there are condo or shared-property restrictions, resolve the relevant access arrangements before installation rather than assuming the crew can improvise them.
Keep pets and children away from the opening and moving materials. Plan for the door to be open during work and dress for the weather; the hallway will not behave like a fully enclosed room throughout removal and fitting. Discuss alarm sensors or wired contacts with the alarm provider and Oscar so responsibilities are clear. If the entrance is your only practical access, say so beforehand and ask how household movements should be coordinated safely.
Removal: confirm what is being replaced
The removal sequence depends on the approved scope. A complete entrance replacement is different from changing only a slab, and a system with sidelites or a transom involves more components than a simple single door. Review what the written quote says about the existing frame, glass, trim and disposal so you know which parts are being removed and which surrounding finishes are intended to remain.
The crew needs space to handle the old door and the new assembly safely. Keep the immediate work area clear rather than trying to pass through while components are being moved. If you notice a detail that seems different from the approved specification, raise it with Oscar before assuming it will be resolved later. Questions about scope are easier to address while the relevant work is visible, not after trim has covered the junctions.
Opening inspection and concealed damage
Once the old components are removed, parts of the opening that were concealed can be inspected. Deteriorated wood, water damage or unsuitable previous work may not have been fully visible at the measure. The opening must provide suitable support for the replacement; fitting a new entrance over an unresolved problem is not the same as correcting its cause.
Ask about the agreed process before installation: how additional work is priced and approved is agreed in writing. The aim is no surprise charges, not a promise that concealed damage cannot exist or will always be included without cost. If a problem appears, ask what was found, what work is proposed, what it changes and what approval is needed. Keep the agreed revision with your project paperwork rather than relying on a vague verbal assumption about who authorised the repair.
Fitting, levelling, shimming and the threshold
The replacement assembly needs to be positioned correctly in the opening, with alignment and support checked rather than simply centred by eye. Levelling and shimming help establish the frame position so the door can swing, latch and meet its seals properly. A house opening may not be perfectly square, which is why the measured system and installation details need to work together.
The threshold is part of that complete entrance. Its fit, support and relationship to the surrounding floor and exterior surface affect use and weather management. Ask about any change in the step-over height and how the door should close against the sweep or seal. Do not judge the final operation while the frame is still being adjusted; use the walkthrough to check the completed assembly and report any resistance or rubbing rather than trying to force the door.
Air and water sealing, then trim
Air sealing and water management do different jobs, and both matter around a new entrance. The installation needs an appropriate connection between the frame and the surrounding opening, with exterior details suited to shedding water. Visible trim is not a substitute for the sealing work behind it. Ask what your scope includes if existing exterior finishes or interior trim need to be disturbed.
Weather and the condition of adjoining surfaces can affect finishing work. Discuss how any weather-sensitive work or remaining finish items will be handled rather than assuming all materials can be applied in any conditions. At completion, look over the interior and exterior trim and the surrounding areas included in the quote. Distinguish an agreed unfinished item from a missed detail, and record what remains so the handover is specific. Avoid adding your own sealant before asking whether it is appropriate for the system.
Hardware, locks, keys and the final walkthrough
Operate the handle and each lock yourself, using the supplied keys as appropriate. Check the normal closing motion and ask how any multi-point lock should be used. The door should not need an improvised habit that you do not understand. Confirm who is handling an existing alarm contact or any separately arranged access equipment; a new slab does not automatically include reconnection of unrelated devices.
Walk through the visible finish, glass, threshold, seals and trim with Oscar. Ask how to clean the selected materials and how to report an issue. Review cleanup and removal within the agreed scope, and note any remaining work together. Oscar oversees the door from first measure to final walkthrough, so use that handover to confirm the result against the approved specification. Keep keys, the signed agreement and warranty information somewhere accessible rather than leaving important paperwork with discarded packaging.
Aftercare in the first weeks
Pay attention to normal operation as you begin using the entrance. If the door rubs, the latch becomes difficult or you notice water, contact Oscar rather than adjusting hinges or adding products without guidance. Keep the threshold and seals clear of grit and follow the selected supplier’s cleaning instructions. Inspect the finish gently; abrasive cleaners and improvised repairs can create a different problem from the one you meant to solve.
Review the written Door Depot Limited Warranty, subject to the written warranty terms. Slab, frame and original installation workmanship have limited lifetime coverage while the original purchaser owns the home. Insulating glass has 20 years against seal failure, not breakage. Hardware and locks are covered only if written into the signed sales agreement. Transfer provisions and registration requirements should be checked in the document. Ask any questions while the details of the installation and specification are still easy to refer to.
Frequently asked questions
How long should I keep the entrance available?
Most single-entry installations are completed in a day. Larger doubles with sidelites and transoms can take longer; Oscar confirms timing before the build starts. Ask about access arrangements for your actual configuration rather than assuming an exact finish time.
Can my pet stay in the hallway during installation?
Arrange a separate secure area away from the entrance. An open doorway, tools and moving door components make the work area unsuitable for pets. Plan this before the crew arrives so access does not depend on repeatedly moving the animal.
What should I do about alarm contacts?
Tell Oscar about them before installation and ask your alarm provider what is needed. Clarify who disconnects, reinstalls or tests the equipment. Do not assume work on the door automatically includes responsibility for every connected device.
Will hidden rot be repaired at no extra charge?
Do not assume that. The scope depends on what is found and the written agreement. How additional work is priced and approved is agreed in writing, so ask about that process before removal and document any approved change.
Should I adjust a tight new lock myself?
Contact Oscar first and explain what happens when you close and lock the door. The cause may involve adjustment rather than the lock alone. Avoid filing parts, forcing the handle or changing hinges before receiving guidance.
What documents should I keep after the walkthrough?
Keep the signed specification and quote, any approved changes, care instructions and the written Limited Warranty. Check the terms for your chosen glass and hardware rather than assuming every component has identical coverage.
