Normally the complete door is easier to replace than the panel. It ensures that the hinges are exactly in the correct height for all 3 hinges and the door is square. The time taking out the door and surround is less that the time to measure hinges and square the door but since you are using the same manufacturer the hinges should be in the same position and door should be square. But that may not be the case. I would stop payment on the check and call the company and tell them you will issue a new check when work is done. My question is when they put in the door which should have taken 2 plus hours why did the installer not see the problem?

The first thing you want to do is document the damage with photos of the door installed and the damaged panel..

Was this damaged in transit, while being installed or after installation? It maybe impossible to determine that now. I would suspect that if the door was damage in transit, the installers would have said something or at the least documented the damage. Chances are more likely that the damage was done by one of the subcontractors and unless someone saw it happen, chances of getting someone to confess or snitch on the culprit are next to none...... that's just the way it is on the job site now days.

Unless you can prove when the door was damaged (i.e in transit vs. on site damage) you may have some legal difficulty in with holding final payment. The manufacturer is undoubtedly going to claim the door was shipped without the damage. The transfer company is going to claim it was delivered without damage.. The installer is going to claim it was installed undamaged and most like damaged by one of the other trades...........and nobody is going to fess up to damaging it.............

How badly is it damaged? Are we talking a small nick or dent in the panel or are we talking a cracked panel that has split the panel completely through? A picture posted would be helpful.

If it's a solid wood door with floating panels, it is quite possible that the panel could be replaced by a knowledgeable wood craftsman. If this is the route you go, I would have it stained at this time as well...........do it right.

The door should not have been delivered and installed if damaged.

The company you purchased from should make it right. Has someone from that company been out to look at the door?

Stay on top of this. Be a pest. Make them understand you are not going to forget about it.

Not knowing the type of door, I would insist on a complete new unit, not replacement parts.

I agree with the above said, the door should be replaced, being this a wood door, it should be manufactured in the shop, because after frame assembly is completed and glue is applied, the door must be put under the press and than another process follows and different types of grinders make sure all door edges have a perfect angle which cannot be done in the field.

With that said, I don't know why they installed the door and not bring the damage to your attention so the manufacturer or the place you purchased the door from, could be put on notice right away... Unless the damage occurred during installation and they didn't say anything thinking it will go not noticed.

Now at this point and time, it will be hard to prove the damage was there when the door was delivered and that didn't happen during installation... not to mention at this point, it will be hard to prove it happened during installation.

I hope it works out.

I am so sorry but it is really hard to determine what the real issues are. I am not sure if what they installed for you is even a stain grain door. Not sure what damages there are. Its always a bit of a challenge . I wish you luck

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