Had a fitter who put my father's UPVC door in as a replacement for a timber door. He is very old and it turns out the door looks to have been mis-measured and the hinges are rubbing on the internal plaster. The door only opens about 70 degrees. Other than start again (the builder has disappeared), is there any way to solve the problem? For example thinner hinges or trying to neatly remove the plaster behind each of the three hinges? Already stands him at £400 - any advice would be really appreciated.

James, December 2009

You need to move the door over by about 5mm? if your confident enough to unscrew the door from where its fixed, you can remove the chimes down the side of the door which is against the brickwork, that should take a sharp blade and a bit of time to do, shuffle the door over slightly which should give you the space needed, sounds like the long way but it will look better and theres no need to go house bashing! you will then need to fill and cloak the gap on the other side.

carl, August 2010

hi there no easy answer would suspect that the door has flag type hinges. if the door is as tight as you say the back of the flag hits the wall as the door is opening. knocking a hole to allow the door to open will work but i can see the problem then would be the three holes that would be difficult to hide. even if they were knocked out neatly they are not going to look good. sorry but other than a refit your stuck with the door as is
regards bob

r.machnik, December 2009

You can't mess with the hinges, a solution down that road doesn't exist,chip out the plaster around the hinge make good with plaster filler and repaint,do it neatly and no-one will notice,if you employed anyone to sort it they would do the same,it is not a bodge it is a remedy.

Carpenter, December 2009