How Much Does It Cost to Put Butterfly Doors on Your Car?

Expect to pay roughly $1,600–$4,500 for a quality bolt-on vertical/scissor door kit installed, while a true butterfly-door conversion—where the doors hinge outward and upward like on a McLaren—typically runs $10,000–$30,000+, and high-end custom builds can exceed $40,000. Prices vary based on your vehicle, the hardware, the amount of fabrication and bodywork required, and shop labor rates.

What “Butterfly Doors” Really Mean—and Why It Matters for Price

In enthusiast slang, many people say “butterfly doors” when they mean “Lambo” or “scissor” doors. Scissor doors pivot mostly upward on a vertical hinge and are widely available as bolt-on kits. True butterfly doors swing outward and upward on a more complex hinge and require significant custom metalwork to preserve structural integrity and proper door geometry. That difference drives the cost spread: bolt-on scissor doors are relatively affordable; true butterfly conversions are a major fabrication project.

Typical Price Ranges

The following tiers summarize what most owners pay, from bolt-on kits to fully custom butterfly conversions. These ranges reflect current U.S. market pricing at specialty shops and custom fabrication houses.

1. Bolt-on vertical/scissor door kits (parts + install): $1,600–$4,500. Name-brand kits often cost $1,200–$2,500 for parts; professional installation adds $800–$2,000 depending on labor hours and any trimming or adjustment.
2. Semi-custom vertical kits with minor bodywork: $3,500–$7,500. Includes higher-end hinges, reinforcement plates, alignment time, and limited paint or fender refinishing if metal is trimmed.
3. True butterfly-door conversion (custom fabrication): $10,000–$30,000+. Requires custom hinges, A-pillar and rocker reinforcement, latch/striker re-engineering, interior re-trim, and paint blending.
4. Show-car/exotic-level butterfly build: $40,000–$100,000+. One-off engineering, CAD-designed hinges, full respray, carbon or metal fabrication, and concours-level finish.

These tiers cover most scenarios. The closer your goal is to OEM-style butterfly doors, the more fabrication, testing, and finish work you’re paying for, escalating costs sharply.

Where the Money Goes

Costs break down across hardware, labor, and finishing. Here’s how typical line items add up on real projects.

• Hinge kit or custom hinge fabrication: $800–$2,500 for bolt-on kits; $3,000–$8,000 for bespoke butterfly hinges.
• Labor (installation/fabrication): 8–16 hours for bolt-on scissor kits; 60–200+ hours for true butterfly conversions. Specialty shop rates commonly range $110–$180/hour, big-city custom houses may charge more.
• Body and paint: $200–$1,500 for minor trimming and blend; $2,000–$8,000+ for custom conversions or full resprays.
• Structural reinforcement: $300–$2,000 in materials; substantial labor for A-pillar/rocker bracing on butterfly setups.
• Door components and adjustments: $150–$800 for struts, wiring extensions, seals, and alignment hardware; more if relocating wiring looms or sensors.
• Post-install tuning: $200–$600 for adjustments after settling, including gas-strut swaps or hinge re-shimming.

Line items vary by vehicle. Heavier doors, complex wiring, and tight fender clearances move projects up the range.

Key Factors That Affect Your Price

Several variables drive the final estimate. Understanding them helps you compare quotes and avoid surprises.

• Vehicle platform: Popular models have off-the-shelf scissor kits; rare or luxury cars often need custom work.
• Door weight and size: Frameless or heavy doors require stronger hinges and struts, adding cost.
• Desired door motion: True butterfly geometry is much harder to engineer than simple scissor action.
• Fit-and-finish expectations: OEM-like gaps and paint blending take time and money.
• Safety and reinforcement: Proper bracing protects crash integrity but adds labor.
• Shop expertise and location: High-skill custom fabricators and metro labor rates increase totals.

If two quotes differ widely, they may reflect different engineering approaches, not just price padding—ask what’s included.

What the Installation Involves

Bolt-on Vertical/Scissor Kits

Most kits replace the factory hinge with a vertical hinge assembly and a gas strut. Quality installations involve precise alignment, possible fender trimming, wiring loom slack or relocation, and multiple test-fits. Turnaround is typically one to three days.

True Butterfly Conversions

Expect custom hinge design or adaptation, reinforcement of A-pillars and rockers, latch/striker rework, door-shell modifications, new seals and stops, and paint. Shops may create templates or CAD models, mock up the geometry, then commit to metal. Timelines range from two to eight weeks, depending on scope and parts availability.

Pros and Cons to Consider

Before you commit, weigh aesthetic payoff against cost and practicality.

• Pros: Dramatic look; easier door swing in tight lateral spaces (scissor); show value; potential resale appeal to niche buyers.
• Cons: Expense; added weight and complexity; possible wind noise or water ingress if seals and gaps aren’t perfect; reduced side-impact protection if poorly reinforced; insurance and warranty implications.

The benefits are real for appearance-focused builds, but the trade-offs are significant—especially on daily drivers.

Insurance, Legality, and Warranty

Well-executed conversions are generally street-legal, but any modification that affects crash structures can raise insurer scrutiny. Notify your insurer; premiums or coverage terms may change. Factory warranties typically don’t cover aftermarket hinges or damage related to them; new-car owners should confirm what will be affected before modifying. Some shops offer limited workmanship warranties; ask for details in writing.

How to Choose a Kit and Installer

Your choice of hardware and shop will make or break the outcome. Use the questions below to vet providers.

• Experience: How many installs of this exact model have you completed? Can I see recent cars in person?
• Engineering: For butterfly conversions, what reinforcement strategy and hinge design will you use?
• Scope: What cutting, welding, wiring, and paint are included? Who handles alignment and weather sealing?
• Parts and support: Are replacement struts and hinges readily available? What’s the warranty?
• Timeline and cost: What is the estimated labor hours and shop rate? What could trigger change orders?
• Aftercare: Do you offer a follow-up adjustment visit after components settle?

Clear, specific answers and a documented scope reduce the risk of overruns or subpar results.

Bottom Line

If you want the look without a full custom build, a high-quality scissor door kit professionally installed will usually land between $1,600 and $4,500. If you’re set on true butterfly doors with OEM-like function and finish, budget five figures—$10,000 to $30,000 or more—and plan for multi-week fabrication. The right shop and a realistic scope are the keys to a successful outcome.

Summary

Budget $1.6k–$4.5k for bolt-on scissor doors installed; $10k–$30k+ for genuine butterfly conversions, with top-tier customs reaching $40k–$100k. Final cost depends on your vehicle, hinge engineering, structural reinforcement, paint/finish, and labor rates. Vet your installer, clarify scope, and inform your insurer before proceeding.