Who Do You Hire to Fix or Install a Garage Door?
Treat your garage to a glow-up with a professionally installed or repaired garage door
A new garage door can do wonders when it comes to upping curb appeal. If you’ve ordered a new door or just need a few repairs on your existing door, you may consider DIY-ing it, but for jobs like this, hiring a garage door pro near you is the way to go.
Benefits of Hiring Garage Door Installation Pro
You just ordered a new garage door and are probably chomping at the bit to get installation underway. If you’re a seasoned DIY-er, it may be tempting to install a new garage door yourself, but there are a host of reasons to call in a local pro for this project.
Replacing garage doors and garage door springs can be dangerous. Garage doors are very heavy and the springs are under a lot of tension. A garage door pro has the tools and experience to do this project safely.
Warranty
Your new garage door most likely came with a manufacturer’s warranty, which is a huge plus. They’ll protect you if your door is damaged or malfunctions during a certain amount of time. Warranties also protect you against improper installation—but only if a professional garage door installer installs the door.
If you attempt to install it and either the door or your home is damaged, you’re on the hook for the repair bill, and your warranty is no longer valid. That means even if you hang it perfectly but something goes wrong down the line, like a manufacturing defect, the company won't replace it.
Guarantee
If your garage door needs repair, whether to the door itself or the motor or electrical components, a local garage door technician can take a look at the problem and give you an estimate on repairs. In many cases, repair work done by garage door pros is guaranteed, so if you have a problem after the repair is complete, they’ll come back to provide service at no extra charge.
Safety
Unless you are 100% comfortable working with electricity, installing a new garage door is best left to a pro. A local garage door installer will have the knowledge and experience to ensure your installation is safe and up to local and state codes.
Also, a botched installation could lead to damages down the road. Ensuring that both the electrical and the mechanical sides of things are correct can provide peace of mind when it comes to your garage door functioning as it should.
Experience and Know-How
When you hire a professional garage door installer, you can rest assured knowing your garage door will function effectively. A local garage door professional is familiar with the steps involved in garage door installation, which means fewer glitches and problems. And many professional installers guarantee their work. So if you have a problem with your door, they’ll come back to your home to assess the door and make adjustments or repairs as needed.
How to Find a Garage Door Pro
If you need to hire a professional to repair this essential home feature, start by searching for a local garage door repair pro in your area. To find the best pro for your specific project, look for local pros who specialize in the necessary repair, such as spring replacement or sensor misalignment. When talking with potential pros to hire, be sure to ask about their level of experience with this type of repair, their hourly or project rate, and availability. Consult at least three garage door pros in your area to find the best fit for your budget and project.
Can You DIY Garage Door Installations or Repairs?
Working with electricity is also dangerous. Wiring your garage door isn’t something to take lightly and should only be performed by a professional or someone with years of electrical experience.
Given most common garage door repair costs fall around $300, it doesn’t hurt to call a pro and get a quote prior to tackling the problem yourself.
Can You Hire a Handyperson for Garage Door Installation or Repair?
While your favorite handyperson might have adequate experience to complete a garage door installation or repair, your warranty may be invalidated if the job isn’t performed by a licensed professional.
For all the same reasons above, a handyperson lacks the specialized expertise and experience in garage door repairs. Garage doors require specialized tools and equipment that your handyperson may not have immediately on hand. You may end up paying almost the same amount (or more) to cover those additional costs. Because of that (and the safety risks), it’s better to hire a specialized professional for added peace of mind.
Questions to Ask a Garage Door Technician Before Hiring
Before getting started, it’s worthwhile to speak with up to three garage door professionals to reach a final decision. When speaking with a garage door pro, ask them the following questions:
How long have you been repairing garage doors?
Can you handle both mechanical and electrical issues?
Can you repair garage doors and electronic remotes?
Are you licensed and insured?
How do you charge for repairs? Is it hourly or per job?
Do you offer any warranties or guarantees for garage work?
How soon can you start? What is the timeline?
Can you provide any references?
Can you provide advice on maintaining the garage door to prevent future issues?
Do you offer recurring services like garage door tune-ups?
Frequently Asked Questions
In most cases, repairing a garage door is less expensive than replacing it, especially if the damage is minor, like a broken spring, misaligned track, or malfunctioning opener. Full replacements make sense if the door is severely damaged, outdated, or inefficient, but they come with a much higher price tag. If the repair costs range toward half the price of a new door, replacement might be the better long-term investment.
The most common garage door repairs are broken springs, worn-out rollers, off-track doors, sensor misalignments, and opener malfunctions. Springs are under a lot of tension and wear out over time, making them one of the most frequent issues. Meanwhile, misaligned tracks and damaged cables can cause the door to get stuck or operate unevenly, while opener failures often come down to electrical or mechanical issues.
An electrician can handle wiring issues with the garage door opener, like faulty connections, circuit problems, or sensor malfunctions, but they’re not the right person to hire for mechanical repairs. Garage door specialists handle things like broken springs, tracks, and panels, while electricians step in if there’s an issue with power supply, motor function, or safety sensors that aren’t responding correctly.
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