Guide · · 3 min read
Pet door installation in NZ: Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington, Hamilton, Tauranga
Searching for a cat door installer in Auckland or Christchurch? Here is how the job is actually done in New Zealand, who does which part, and how to make it cheaper.
By the Pet-Tek International team, Auckland — designers of Catwalk® and Dogwalk® since 1999.
“Cat door installation Auckland” is one of the most-searched pet-door phrases in the country, and the results are mostly companies that bundle a door with a visit. There is nothing wrong with that, but it is worth knowing how the job splits, because the door and the fitting are separate purchases and you can save money by treating them that way.
Who does what
Glass: a glazier. Cutting a round hole in a pane, or replacing a double-glazed unit with one that has the hole pre-cut, is glazier work in every city. Any glazier can do it; it is not a specialist job.
Timber, uPVC, metal or a wall: you, with a jigsaw and the template from the box; or a handyman in an hour.
The door: us. Pet-Tek International designs the Catwalk® and Dogwalk® range in Auckland and ships it anywhere in New Zealand from stock.
City by city
The method is identical everywhere; what changes is the glazier’s rate and travel.
- Auckland — the most glaziers and the most competition. Two quotes is normal; same-week slots for single glazing are common.
- Christchurch — a high proportion of post-rebuild double glazing, so expect the “new unit with the hole” route more often than cutting in place. Allow for the unit lead time.
- Wellington — wind. Face the door away from the prevailing northerly where you can and keep the flap’s brush seal clean; the magnets at the base hold it shut in a gust.
- Hamilton and Tauranga — fewer glaziers, so book ahead; rural addresses add travel to the quote. Our courier reaches both in a few working days.
What to give the glazier
Three numbers from the product page: the cut-out diameter (245 mm Catwalk Standard, 267 Maxi, 320 Dogwalk Intermediate, 385 Medium), the glass range the door clamps through, and the height — bottom of the opening at the pet’s belly. Print the installation sheet; it has the drawing. Your glazier will keep the hole a safe distance from the edge of the pane; keep it clear of a slider’s handle side.
What it costs
Two parts: the door (fixed, same price nationwide) and the glazier (varies). Cutting single glazing in place is the smaller job; double glazing means a new sealed unit made to order and a second visit, so it costs more and takes a week or two. We do not quote glazing because we do not do it; two local quotes with the cut-out size will give you the real number.
The cheaper way round
Buy the door first. An installer who supplies the door marks it up; a glazier who only cuts the hole does not. Pick the model that fits your pet — Find your door takes three taps — have it delivered, then book the glazier. If you would rather skip glass altogether, a wood-fitting cat door or dog door in the laundry or back door is an afternoon with a jigsaw and no call-out at all.
After the install
Turn the dial through all four positions, leave it on open for the first week, and prop the flap for a day while the pet learns it. Flaps and dials are stocked as spares if anything is ever damaged.
Glaziers and installers: trade supply
If you fit pet doors for a living, we supply the trade direct from Auckland. Use the Trade enquiry button on any product page or email info@petnest.co.nz.
Quick answers
Who installs cat doors in NZ?
Glaziers fit glass-fitting doors — any glazier in Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington, Hamilton or Tauranga can do it. Wood-fitting doors are DIY or a handyman job. Pet-Tek designs and sells the doors; we do not install.
How much does cat door installation cost in NZ?
The door plus the glazier's call-out. Cutting single glazing in place is the smaller job; double glazing costs more because a new sealed unit is made. Glaziers quote by pane size and region — get two quotes and give both the cut-out size.
Can I buy the door first and then get it installed?
Yes, and it is the cheaper way round. Buy the Catwalk or Dogwalk model that fits your pet, then book any glazier with the cut-out size from the product page. You avoid an installer's margin on the door.
Shop this guide
The doors in this article
Ships from Auckland · courier NZ-wide · free shipping over $250 · 3-year warranty
Ready to choose?
Three taps to the right door
Tell us the pet and the door it goes into; we name the model.