National price ranges
Fixr: widen doorway $300 to $2,500.
When it is worth it
- A wheelchair or wide walker cannot pass, and swing-clear hinges would not gain enough.
- The door is on the daily route: bedroom, bathroom, front door.
When to try something else first
- You are only 1 to 2 in short. Swing-clear hinges move the door out of the opening and may be enough.
What moves the price
- Load-bearing wall or not; a bearing wall needs a new header.
- Electrical switches or plumbing in the wall.
- Trim, flooring and paint to match.
DIY or hire it out
Swing-clear hinges are DIY: replace one hinge at a time. Widening the opening is a carpentry job.
Tax note. IRS Publication 502 lists this among home changes that usually do not raise a home's value, so the cost can count as a medical expense if you itemize and total medical costs pass 7.5% of adjusted gross income:
Widening or otherwise modifying hallways and interior doorways.
(IRS Publication 502, 2025)
Where this shows up in the home check
Keepstead suggests this fix when one of these checks fails. Run the home check to see whether it is a priority for your home.
- Doorways and halls are wide enough for a walker or wheelchair (about 32 in clear) (hallways and stairs)
- The bathroom doorway is wide enough for a walker or wheelchair (bathroom)
Frequently asked questions
How do I measure doorway clear width?
Open the door 90 degrees and measure from the face of the door to the stop on the opposite jamb. That, not the door's size, is the usable width.
What width do I need for a wheelchair?
32 in clear is the ADA minimum; 36 in makes turning in from a hallway much easier.