Generally I'd say two men would be ideal, but mainly for carrying and maneuvering the unit. There are resourceful way to do that with one man, (or perhaps there will be a second guy just to get it up to the house), so I would not be terribly worried.

If you've hired a professional that you feel to be trustworthy and qualified, you should be able to trust that they know what they are doing.

+1

I am sure they have it under control. I am a pretty big guy and setting that door as a single installer would be a chore.

Congrats on the door and keep us posted with pictures and updates.

I am sorry, I am confused by your responses! You guys usually have such strong and definitive opinions. But I am confused by you saying this ideally is a 2-man job, but it's fine it's a 1-man job if there's a second guy (which there won't be). It's too large for even a big guy to install easily, but it's fine for 1 guy (who may not be that big) to do it.

So let me ask, if it were your home or a family member's home (let's say for some reason you couldn't do the installation or help with it), would you ask the contractor to send two men, or think that 1 man is good?

It requires 2 people to get the door into the opening. Once the door is in and set temporarily, it could be adjusted and set for final trim by one person.

I had the same door configuration installed( door with 2 side lites) and only One guy did it.

If one guy can do it, what are you worried about? Let the installer worry, thats what their job is.

Thanks for clarifying, Windows on Washington and Branlance. And HomeSealed is right - I do feel the contractor is trustworthy and qualified. They've been great to work with.

I think I am concerned because I had an experience several years ago when I replaced my furnace. It was supposed to be a 2-man job, but the contractor sent 1. It was supposed to be a 4-hour job, but took 9. The guy became so tired, and frustrated, and wanting to go home, he made several mistakes, which resulted in 3 later service calls for installation errors (once those mistakes were corrected the furnace has been great). Of course, doors are different, and the job is not nearly as big as a furnace replacement. Thanks again for your responses.

I can see your concern. However, a door install is much different than installing a furnace. A competent installer should be able to install a door by himself.

The definitive answer is this:

1) the installation is a one man job. My only real concern is how they will transport the door from the truck to your opening with one man, but if they are sending one guy I'm sure that this is not the first time and they have it covered

2) unless it is specified in your contract, you really can't demand that they send two people.

Here is what I'd recommend: simply call them and express your concerns. They should then be able to explain how and why they are doing it, and ease your mind in the process :)

I took HomeSealed's advice, and called the contractor. They told me that the man who initially came to my home and measured would come to help the installer get the door and frame with sidelites off the truck, and to my home, and also check that everything was good to go. Then the installer would be on his own. This jibed with what you all have advised, so I feel much better. Thanks for all your help.

Windows on Washington - re photos: I don't know that my "before and after" photos will be that dramatic. I've ordered the identical style door in the identical color. Where the current door is awful doesn't really show up in photos. The door is uninsulated, and thin-gauge, and the sidelites are single-pane. The frame looks fine, but if you press your finger on it (especially at the bottom), it is either spongey in wet weather, or crumbly and brittle in dry weather. I could post a pic of the carpenter ant sawdust (which I learned is called "frass") along the bottom of the sidelites--but that would be gross. I have been told that Home Guard's "Timberframe" composite option is not appealing to carpenter ants. I also plan to spray Delta Dust all around while the opening is open.

I will post just the "after" photos when it's installed.

Good to hear! ... And nice door choice btw.

Be sure to post back with results !