Doors and Windows - Pre-hung interior doors w/o casing?

Hey all,

I have a couple of doors in my house that need to be replaced, and to avoid the pain of routing for the hinges I'd like to go with pre hung doors. The problem I'm finding is that the ones available at the big box stores all have a different casing than what is in my home, and given the way that these things are made now, it doesn't look as though I'll be able to just install the door, take off the casing that came with it, and install a type that matches what's in the rest of the house (that's what I'm being told, anyway). So I need a flat faced, hollow core, pre hung door that is pre hung to a frame only; except that try as I might I can't find one anywhere (even online). Where should I turn to get what I need?

I think the big box stores only sell split jamb prehungs. Try some of the builder outlets or preferably a door and trim supply store.

Personally I think it would be simpler to just replace the door slab, rout out the hinge [only needs to be done on the door] drill the holes for the lockset and install.

In my area, I can get whatever I desire through a lumber supply yard to suit my needs. I rarely shop at a big box and actually, the supply houses usually have better pricing. You might have to wait for a special order, for me, it's usually just a few days. What's funny though is that in my area, pre-hung doors from the big box stores rarely come with casing. That's just as well to me, I can't stand the pre-cut casing, I'd rather cut my own.

To add to what Mark had stated, you might be better off just cutting the hinges. Porter Cable makes a nice, inexpensive hinge jig that's never done me wrong. It's fairly brainless to use once you get through the first one and makes for an almost perfect, accurate match cut to the hinge. I usually use my laminate trim router instead of the full size because it's easier to control and handle with one hand.

I agree with finding what you need at local lumber yards. The big boxes have to please everyone, and can't stock everything we use daily. I recently had to trim a house for a owner/contractor. All trim and doors were on site, primed and stacked on buckets in a weathered in garage. A true trim carpenter's dream. But they bought all their doors from big orange with split jambs and WM366 casing. They wanted colonial casing. Removing the old casing was a real PITA, and probably added 4 or 5 hours to the job.
Buy what you want, as it is out there.