A door that fits your dog.
Dog door installation in Richmond.
Tell us where you want the door and the size of your dog. We’ll check the opening, explain the options, and quote the installation.
Types & placements
Doors, walls, and where a pet door belongs.
Through an exterior door
The most common install. It works with wood, fiberglass, and many metal doors. If you move or change your mind later, the door panel itself can often be replaced.
Through a wall
When no door faces the yard, a wall install builds a framed, insulated tunnel through the exterior wall. We seal it against weather inside and out and trim it to match the room.
Placement that makes sense
The right spot is sheltered from driving rain, out of the main sightline from the street, and opens onto the part of the yard your dog actually uses. We talk it through before we cut anything.
Flap styles range from simple single flaps to insulated double-flap designs that seal better against Virginia summers and winters. We’ll recommend what fits your house, not the most expensive thing on the truck.
Measure your dog
Sized to your dog, not to a guess.
With your dog standing, take these three measurements in inches. For more than one dog, use the tallest dog for A, the shortest dog for B, and the widest dog for C.
David will review the measurements and installation details with you before recommending a door and quoting the work.
The install
What dog door installation involves.
Placement and prep
We confirm the location. On wall installs, we also check what's behind the surface for studs, wiring, and plumbing before we cut.
A precise cutout
One clean, square, level opening, with no oversized rough hole hidden behind trim.
Insulation and weather sealing
We insulate the opening, flash it where needed, and seal it against drafts and moisture inside and out.
Finishing that disappears
We match trim and framing to the door or wall, so the result looks built in rather than bolted on.
Flap fitting and adjustment
The flap swings freely and seats its magnets properly, and we show you the security panel or lockout before we leave.
Introducing your dog
Most dogs take to a door quickly with a little coaxing and a treat on the far side. We'll show you how to start.
Beyond the basic flap
Electronic and smart dog doors
A classic flap is still the right answer for many homes. But if wildlife, neighborhood cats, or an unlocked hole in the wall worry you, electronic and smart dog doors are worth a conversation. We’ll walk through the trade-offs honestly, and tell you straight whether it’s something we can source for you.
Electronic dog doors: microchip and collar-key entry
Electronic doors unlock only for your dog’s microchip or a small collar tag, then relock behind them, so raccoons, strays, and the neighbor’s cat stay outside. Things worth weighing: battery or power needs, flap action for small or senior dogs, and whether every pet in the house should have access.
App-connected smart pet doors
Smart doors add scheduling and remote control. You can lock the door at dusk, open it from your phone, or get a notification when your dog heads out. They cost more and depend on power and Wi-Fi, so we’ll be straight with you about whether the extra capability earns its keep for your routine.
The doors we supply are Hale Pet Door® products. Hale describes its doors as mechanical: no electronics, no app, nothing to pair or charge.
Worth thinking about together
The yard behind the door matters too.
A door gives your dog access; it doesn’t keep them home. If the yard isn’t securely contained, independent yard time can mean independent neighborhood time. Many customers pair a dog door with an underground boundary in a single project: one visit, one plan, and a dog who can let themselves out safely.
The pairing, honestly
Not every home needs both. A securely fenced yard may only need the door; an open yard usually needs containment before unsupervised access makes sense. We’ll tell you which situation is yours.
Pricing
Pet door pricing, quoted before we cut.
Dog-door pricing depends on door versus wall installation, the flap size your dog needs, and the material we’re cutting into. Contact us for an installed price for the door that fits your dog and your home. Ask, and you’ll have a firm number before any work begins.
Wondering about overall project costs? See our cost guide.
Ready to retire from doorman duty?
Tell us about your dog and where the door would go. You'll get a straight answer on placement, sizing, and price, and no pressure to book.