Door Handle Replacement in Warsaw — Selection and Fitting in One Visit

The handle has gone floppy, the return spring snapped or the mechanism simply jammed — and the door no longer opens properly. It seems like a minor annoyance, yet it irritates you every single day. Buying a new handle is easy; fitting it so the spindle does not wobble, the rose does not scratch the door and the latch tongue hits the strike plate — that takes care. We replace handles on interior and entrance doors across Warsaw: lever handles, knob handles, on roses and on backplates. If the old hardware still holds but wobbles, we tighten and adjust it without a full swap.

How much does handle replacement cost and what affects the price

The price depends on the handle type and the condition of the door. The simplest job is swapping a lever handle on a rose: undo two screws, remove the old one, fit the new one, tighten up. More involved — a handle on a long backplate with a lock, where the spindle must align with the latch and the keyhole with the cylinder. Another scenario — the previous handle has wallowed out the mounting hole and it needs rebuilding before the new hardware goes in.

The labour charge covers removing the old handle, fitting the new one and testing the latch action. The handle itself is supplied by the client. Fixings usually come with the hardware. If you also want the lock replaced or the door adjusted, those are separate services. Current prices below.

Send a photo of the handle and the door — we will match a replacement and quote an exact price.

How handle replacement works: step by step

Replacing a handle is a 15–30 minute job, but every step counts. Over-tighten a screw or misalign the spindle and the handle will fail again within weeks. Here is how the technician works:

1. Inspection. The technician identifies the handle type (rose or backplate), the latch type (roller or tubular), and checks the condition of the spindle and mounting holes in the door.
2. Removing the old handle. We undo the grub screw on the rose or cover plate, remove handles from both sides and pull the spindle out of the latch.
3. Checking the latch. If the latch works properly, it stays. If it sticks or the spring is dead, we replace it. Handles often break precisely because a worn latch creates excessive resistance.
4. Preparing the mounting hole. If the hole is wallowed out, we fit a bushing sleeve or fill with epoxy filler and re-drill. For backplate handles we check that all holes line up.
5. Fitting the new handle. We insert the spindle, place handles on both sides and tighten the through-bolts. For rose handles, we set the roses parallel and snug up the concealed screws.
6. Testing and adjustment. We press the handle 10–15 times, verify it returns to horizontal, the latch tongue engages the strike plate and the door closes without effort. If needed, we reposition the strike plate.

Common mistakes when replacing a handle yourself

A handle looks like a simple mechanism, yet DIY replacement errors are surprisingly common:

• Buying a handle with the wrong spindle. The standard spindle is 8 mm, but 7 mm and 9 mm exist. If the spindle is thinner than the latch hole, the handle will wobble and break quickly.
• Ignoring the centre distance. The distance between the spindle centre and the keyhole centre (on backplate handles) must match. Otherwise you will have to drill new holes in the door.
• Over-tightening the through-bolts. The result — the rose digs into the timber, the handle binds, and within a week the bolt snaps or strips the thread.
• Not replacing a worn latch. A new handle on an old latch with a dead spring. After a month the handle droops and will not return.
• Reusing the old spindle. The old spindle has rounded edges. The new handle sits loosely and spins.
• Fitting an interior handle on a front door. Interior hardware is not designed for a heavy leaf and constant use — the spring gives up in a couple of months.
• Skipping strike-plate adjustment. The handle works but the door does not hold — the latch tongue misses the plate on the frame.

What to prepare before the technician arrives

Handle replacement is quick work, but a little preparation saves time:

• Photograph the handle from both sides of the door — this lets the technician identify the mounting type in advance.
• If you are buying the handle yourself, measure the door thickness (standard 35–45 mm) and the spindle cross-section (usually 8 × 8 mm).
• For backplate handles, measure the centre distance (from spindle centre to keyhole centre): typically 72 or 90 mm.
• Check whether the latch works without the handle — push the tongue with your finger. If it does not spring back, the latch needs replacing too.
• Decide whether you also want the lock replaced or the door adjusted — cheaper in a single visit.
• If the handle is on the front door, make sure you have the key and access from both sides.
• Have access details ready: entry code, floor, lift availability.
• Clear objects away from the door — the technician needs free access to the leaf.
• If several doors in the flat have loose handles, show them all so the technician can assess the full scope in one trip.
• Choose a finish: matt chrome, polished brass, black — the handle should match the rest of the hardware.

A real case: handle replacement in a Mokotow flat

A client in Mokotow asked us to replace handles on five interior doors. The flat had been recently renovated with new doors, but the developer had fitted cheap hardware — plastic roses and thin 7 mm spindles. After six months, handles on two doors had snapped and the rest wobbled.

The problem turned out to be twofold: besides the weak handles, the latches on three doors had dead springs and would not retract the tongue. We replaced all five sets with metal handles on 8 mm spindles and fitted three new latches. On one door we had to enlarge the rose hole — the old plastic rose was a smaller diameter. The job across all five doors took just over an hour. The takeaway: skimping on hardware during a renovation is a false economy — replacing it later costs more than fitting decent handles from the start.

Frequently asked questions

Can I fit a handle from a different manufacturer?

Yes, provided the dimensions match: spindle cross-section, centre distance (for backplate handles) and rose diameter. Most European manufacturers use standardised sizes.

Do I have to replace the latch at the same time?

Only if the spring in the latch has weakened or the mechanism sticks. The technician will check and advise on site.

Does one handle fit every door?

No. Entrance doors need heavy-duty hardware with a stiffer return spring. An interior handle on a front door will not last long.

How long does replacement take?

One handle — 15–30 minutes. If the latch needs changing or the hole needs rebuilding, allow up to 45 minutes.

Do I need to buy the handle in advance?

Not necessarily. Send a photo of the old handle and the measurements — the technician will select a match. Or buy it yourself after checking the dimensions.

What if the hole in the door is damaged?

The technician will repair the hole and refit the handle. This is a routine situation that adds 10–15 minutes to the job.

Who does the work and what guarantees we offer

Door hardware is handled by tradespeople who work daily with handles, locks and hinges of every type — from budget to premium. We arrive with a full tool kit: screwdrivers, drill bits, chisels, epoxy filler for hole repair. We cover all of Warsaw and the nearby suburbs. After replacement the handle will work smoothly with no play, and the latch will hold the door securely. If anything goes wrong through our fault, we fix it free of charge. Call or message us — we typically reply within an hour.