Paradise Valley Window Installers Paradise Valley, AZ

Wall installation allows pet door removal

"I'm looking for a company or contractor that would install pet doors. What kind of company should I be looking for, and what should I expect out of the job?" — Angie's List member Hector Sosa

A reputable handyman should be able to do the job in about two hours or less, says Craig Margulis, president of A-rated House Doctors in Chandler, Ariz.

"Make sure you hire someone licensed who knows what they're doing before you allow them to cut into your door or wall," he says.

He adds that the choice of pet door itself is important, both for quality and security. "Spending a little more to get one that has a better seal is a wise idea," he says.

"Some people prefer having a door with a sensor on the dog's collar, so it only opens when the dog approaches. That prevents thieves or other stray animals from entering your home."

Allen Hopkins, manager of A-rated Handyman Connection in Phoenix, says most of the pet doors his company installs tend to go into walls rather than full-sized doors. "It'll take between an hour and a half to three hours, but they can choose what location it goes in much easier," he says.

He says wall installation isn't that much more expensive, and avoids having to permanently cut an existing entry door.

"We've done a lot of work where people are moving out and we remove a pet door from the home," Hopkins says. "It takes five or six hours to patch the stucco and drywall, and it's like it was never there."

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