How Much Does It Cost to Widen a Doorway in 2026?
Widening one doorway for a wheelchair usually costs $700 to $2,500, with load-bearing walls and wide entry doors at the top.
Quick answer
$700 to $2,500
Full range we found: $300 to $3,000.
Programs that often help: Medicaid Waivers That Pay for Home Modifications, VA Home Modification Grants (SAH, SHA, TRA and HISA), Area Agencies on Aging: Home Repair and Modification Help, Nonprofit Home Repair Programs for Older Adults (Rebuilding Together, Habitat and More), Centers for Independent Living: Disability-Led Help to Stay Home, USDA Section 504 Home Repair Loans and Grants, CDBG Home Repair and Accessibility Programs (Community Development Block Grants), State Housing Finance Agency Repair and Accessibility Programs, Deducting Home Modifications as a Medical Expense (IRS Publication 502)
Many older homes have bathroom and bedroom doors only 24 to 30 inches wide. That is too tight for most wheelchairs and many walkers. Widening a door is one of the most useful changes for someone who needs a mobility aid.
Doorway widening cost at a glance
The sources we checked agree on the general range.
- Angi reports a national average of $1,200, with most jobs between $50 and $3,000 1.
- HomeAdvisor lists $700 to $2,500 per door 2.
- Fixr lists $300 to $2,500 3.
The very low end of Angi's range ($50) likely covers simple jobs like removing trim or a door stop, not true widening. For real widening, plan on at least a few hundred dollars.
| Target width | Typical cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 32 in (minimum ADA width) | $300 – $1,000 | Angi 1 |
| 34 in | $400 – $1,300 | Angi 1 |
| 36 in (preferred for power chairs) | $600 – $2,500 | Angi 1 |
| 40 in+ (main entry or custom) | $1,200 – $3,000 | Angi 1 |
What drives the price
Load-bearing walls
This is the big one. If the wall holds up the floor or roof above, the opening needs a new, longer header. That may mean an engineer. Angi lists structural changes, including headers, at $300 to $1,000, and structural engineers at $100 to $250 per hour 1.
What is inside the wall
Light switches, outlets, pipes and heating ducts near the door must be moved. Angi lists utility relocation at $100 to $800 1.
Finishing work
After the wall is cut, you need a new door and frame, drywall patching, trim and paint. Angi puts materials and tools at $100 to $600 and finishing at $100 to $600 1.
Door type
A standard swing door is simplest. A pocket or sliding door saves floor space but adds cost. Automatic openers add more 1.
Line-item costs
| Component | Range |
|---|---|
| Materials and tools | $100 – $600 |
| Labor | $200 – $1,200 |
| Permits and fees | $50 – $300 |
| Finishing (paint, trim, hardware) | $100 – $600 |
| Structural changes | $300 – $1,000 |
| Moving wiring, switches, pipes or vents | $100 – $800 |
All from Angi 1.
Lower-cost options to try first
- Offset (swing-clear) hinges let the door swing fully out of the opening, which can gain a little clear width without cutting the wall.
- Remove the door stop and trim to gain a fraction of an inch.
- Take the door off a closet or low-privacy room.
An occupational therapist can measure the actual chair or walker and tell you whether hinges will do or the wall must be cut.
Plan the whole path
A wide bathroom door does not help if the hallway outside is too narrow to turn into it. Fixr lists hallway widening without structural change at $800 to $1,400, and with structural change at $30,000 to $40,000 4. Measure the full route from bed to bathroom before you start.
DIY or hire a pro?
Angi says DIY materials run about $200 to $600, and the job may take a full weekend or longer 1. Angi recommends a pro for structural changes, utility moves or unclear code rules 1. If you do not know whether the wall is load-bearing, do not cut it.
Who can help pay
- Medicaid waivers often cover doorway widening as a home change.
- VA HISA grants cover medically needed changes for getting into and out of the home and reaching the bathroom, within lifetime limits of $6,800 or $2,000 5.
- Area Agencies on Aging, Centers for Independent Living and nonprofit repair groups can help find funding or crews.
- USDA Section 504, city CDBG and state housing finance agency programs fund repairs for eligible owners.
- Tax deduction: The IRS lists widened doorways and hallways among disability changes that usually do not add home value, so the full reasonable cost can count 6.
Bottom line
Budget $700 to $2,500 per door, and more for load-bearing walls or extra-wide entries. Try offset hinges first, measure the whole route, and bundle several doors into one job to save on trip and permit costs.
Common questions
How wide should a doorway be for a wheelchair?
Angi notes 32 inches as the minimum ADA clear width and 36 inches as preferred for power chairs.
Is there a cheaper option than widening a door?
Sometimes. Offset or swing-clear hinges move the door out of the opening and can add a little clear width. Removing the door and using a curtain is another low-cost option for some rooms.
Do I need a permit to widen a doorway?
Often, especially if the wall is load-bearing. Angi lists permits and fees at $50 to $300.
How long does it take?
Angi says a pro often finishes in one to three days, while DIY may take a full weekend or longer.
Sources
- How Much Does Widening a Doorway for Wheelchair Access Cost? [2026 Data] — Angi. Checked October 18, 2026.
- Disability Accommodation Cost Guides — HomeAdvisor. Checked October 18, 2026.
- Cost to Remodel to Adapt for a Disability — Fixr. Checked October 18, 2026.
- Cost of Aging in Place — Fixr. Checked October 18, 2026.
- HISA (Home Improvements and Structural Alterations) — U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Checked October 18, 2026.
- Publication 502 (2025), Medical and Dental Expenses — Internal Revenue Service. Checked October 18, 2026.