You do not need to produce perfect manufacturing measurements before asking for a hidden bookcase door quote.

Rough dimensions help us understand the scale of the opening and identify obvious issues. Before manufacture, Wonder Doors completes a pre-build measurement for Auckland projects so the final specification is based on the real opening.

This guide shows what is useful at the first stage.

What you need

Use:

a tape measure that shows millimetres
your phone camera
a note on your phone or a simple sketch
another person if the opening is tall or difficult to reach safely

Do not climb or stretch into an unsafe position. If you cannot measure something comfortably, leave it blank and send the photos instead.

1. Photograph the whole opening first

Take the photos before zooming in on individual measurements. They help explain the numbers later.

We recommend:

Front: stand square to the opening and include the full frame, floor and some wall on both sides.
Back: take the same view from the room behind the opening.
Surrounding wall: step back far enough to show nearby furniture, switches, other doors and the ceiling.
Floor: photograph the threshold and any change between carpet, timber or tile.
Side detail: show the depth of the opening and existing jamb or architrave.

If you are replacing an old door, leave it visible in at least one photo so we can see its current swing and hinge side.

2. Measure the width in three places

Measure the clear opening width near the top, through the middle and near the floor. Record all three measurements in millimetres without rounding them to a standard door size.

For example:

top width
middle width
bottom width

Different numbers do not automatically mean the opening will not work. They simply tell us the opening needs a closer look during the pre-build measure.

3. Measure the height in three places

Measure from the finished floor to the underside of the opening on the left, centre and right.

If the two rooms have different floor finishes, note which surface each measurement starts from. Carpet and underlay can also make a difference, so include them rather than pressing the tape down to the subfloor.

4. Measure the opening depth

Measure through the opening from the finished face of one wall to the finished face of the other.

If the wall thickness changes or trim extends beyond it, take a photo and record both measurements. The new frame needs to meet the surrounding wall cleanly on the visible sides.

5. Check whether the opening looks square

You do not need to diagnose the wall. A simple check is to measure diagonally from one corner of the opening to the opposite corner, then repeat across the other diagonal.

Record both numbers. If they differ, do not try to correct or average them. The pre-build measure will confirm what the frame needs.

6. Show the available swing space

The opening measurement does not show where the bookcase can move.

From the bookcase side and the room behind it, record the distance to:

the nearest side wall
furniture or fixed cabinetry
another door or cupboard
light switches and power outlets
a step or change in floor level

Tell us whether you think the bookcase should open inward or outward. It is fine if you are unsure. The inward versus outward swing guide explains the difference and we confirm the choice before quoting the build.

7. Tell us what is changing

On the quote form, choose whether this is:

a new house or new opening
replacing an existing internal door

For a replacement, tell us what you expect to happen to the old door, jamb and trim. If you do not know, photos are enough for the first conversation.

Read our guide to replacing an existing internal door with a bookcase door for the additional checks.

8. Add the early door choices

Measurements are only part of the quote. Include what you know about:

inward or outward swing
left or right hinge side, with right as our standard starting point
the preferred finish or room colours
shelf use and any unusually tall objects
the room behind the bookcase
preferred installation timing, if known

Our standard shelf layout starts with four adjustable shelves plus the bottom shelf.

What not to do

Do not order materials from rough measurements.
Do not assume the old door leaf size is the structural opening size.
Do not round every dimension to the nearest standard door size.
Do not remove the old door before the opening has been reviewed.
Do not worry if you cannot answer every technical question.

The purpose of the first measurements is to help us review and quote the project. They are not the final manufacturing dimensions.

Send the opening for review

The Wonder Doors quote form lets you add the opening dimensions you know and upload front, back and surrounding photos. Once the project is suitable and the specification is progressing, we arrange the pre-build measurement before manufacture.

See how custom bookcase door installation works in Auckland or start your quote request.

How to Measure for a Hidden Bookcase Door