5 Essential Questions to Ask Before Repairing Your Garage Door

You likely don’t think much about your garage door until it stops working properly. Given the intricate mechanisms involved in opening and closing, garage doors aren’t suited for DIY fixes. Before reaching out to local repair professionals for quotes, it’s important to have some key information. Here are five essential questions to discuss with a garage door repair expert.

1. How Urgent Is the Repair?

If your garage door has minor damage but still functions, you may have more flexibility in scheduling the repair. However, if the door is completely stuck—whether open or closed—you’ll need emergency service. Emergency repairs typically cost more, so be sure to inform the repair professional of the urgency when requesting a quote.

2. What Type of Repair Is Needed?

The repair type will directly affect the cost of the service. Garage door repairs generally range from $160 to $380, with an average of $260. Track repairs are usually the least expensive, while panel repairs can run up to $1,000. If your garage door is custom, you might need a full door replacement, which can cost as much as $1,500. Common repairs include fixing the springs, opener, or glass, so it’s important to identify the specific problem before getting quotes.

3. What Type of Garage Door Do You Have?

There are various types of garage doors, including sectional, tilt-up, roll-up, carriage house, French, and walk-through doors. Sectional and tilt-up doors are easier to repair, often costing as little as $150. However, for a carriage-style door, replacement might be necessary, and the cost could reach up to $10,000.

4. What Is the Material of the Damaged Door?

The material of your garage door plays a crucial role in the repair process. Common materials include wood, metal, fiberglass, and composite. Steel or aluminum doors are durable but can still get damaged. Fiberglass and composite doors are highly resistant and perform well in various climates. Wooden doors are more susceptible to damage from moisture and humidity and are typically more expensive to repair, costing anywhere from $200 to $300, or even as high as $1,000 for major repairs.

5. Are Additional Services Needed?

While the contractor is repairing your garage door, you might want to consider additional services, such as installing an automatic opener, adding insulation, or even retrofitting the door with a hurricane-resistant kit. This can be a convenient time to upgrade your door while it’s being repaired.