5 Questions to Ask About Garage Door Repair

You probably don’t give your garage door much thought until it stops working correctly. Garage doors have complex opening mechanisms that aren’t suited to DIY repair. Before you call local garage door repair contractors for quotes, there are several things you’ll need to understand. Here are five garage door repair questions you should prepare to chat through with a pro.

1. When do you need the work done?

If your garage door has a small dent but is otherwise functional, you can be more flexible in scheduling with a local garage door pro. However, you’ll probably need an emergency garage door repair if the door is inoperable and stuck in an open or shut position. Urgent house calls come at a premium, so you can expect to pay more for a pro to come out in an emergency. Make sure you let garage door repair contractors know the urgency of your repair when you call for a quote.

2. What type of repair do you need?

The type of repair you need will directly affect the cost of your garage door repair. Repairs typically run between $160 and $380, with an average of $260. Track repair is generally the cheapest, while garage door panel repair can cost as much as $1,000. If you have a custom garage door, you might need to replace the entire door rather than just a panel, which could cost up to $1,500. Other common garage door repairs include glass, spring, and opener repairs. There are several types of garage door springs, so check to see what you have before calling around for repair quotes.

3. What type of garage door do you have?

You likely have one of several garage door styles, including sectional, tilt-up, roll-up, carriage house, French, and walk-through. Sectional and tilt-up doors are the simplest to repair and could cost as little as $150. However, if you have a carriage-style door, you may need to replace it rather than repair it, which can cost up to $10,000.

4. What is the material of your damaged garage door?

Your garage door’s material will be essential information to share with contractors when you request work quotes. Garage doors are usually made from wood, metal, fiberglass, or composite. Metal garage doors are commonly made from steel or aluminum, making them durable but not immune to damage. Fiberglass or composite doors are highly durable and work well in most climates. Wood doors are more susceptible to damage from moisture and humidity and are also the most expensive material to repair, costing $200 to $300 on average or up to $1,000 for major repairs.

5. Do you need any additional garage door services?

While a contractor repairs your garage door, you can have them perform additional services such as adding an automatic door opener, insulation, or a hurricane-resistant retrofit kit.