A door that sticks, drags, or won’t latch is usually a quick fix — but the cause matters. Seasonal swelling, loose hinges, and settling all throw a door out of alignment. Here is how to tell what is going on and get it closing cleanly again.
DMV humidity swells wood doors and frames in summer so they rub and stick, then shrink in winter.
Loose hinge screws let the door drop, so it drags on the floor or misses the latch.
Over time the frame shifts slightly out of square, so the latch no longer lines up with the strike plate.
Most door adjustments are a quick handyman visit, typically $90–$250. Replacing a damaged door or frame is quoted separately.
A door that won’t latch is a security and privacy problem, and forcing a sticking door damages the door, frame, and hinges over time.
Related service: Handyman Services · Browse all common problems
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