How to Find the Best Garage Door Company for You

If your garage door ever goes on the fritz, please, it’s not a good idea to try to repair the garage door yourself! Fixing a garage door or hanging a new one - and making sure that every cable, wire, and track is installed properly, with the utmost precision and safety, is not a simple job. Torsion springs, found on many garage doors, can cause major injury, and even death, if not correctly dealt with.

If your garage door is out of order, there are a good number of reasons you are having trouble. There are some issues you might be able to handle yourself, but most others will require a professional garage door technician. Your garage door is a large part of your property’s curb appeal and value, so it’s essential that you hire a garage door expert you can count on. Choose a reliable professional who will be honest with you about your garage door - whether or not repairs are called for, and if so, what’s actually needed; or, if you should purchase a new garage door instead.

Do It Yourself. Don’t despair. There are definitely measures you can take before you have to call a professional to service your garage door.

          Is your garage door staying shut? The transmitter batteries are likely low. Maybe all you have to do is replace them, and the garage door will open.

          What if your garage door is staying open? The photo eyes may be out of alignment. The garage door has a photo eye on each side, and between them is an invisible beam, which keeps your garage door from shutting if it’s broken. See if they’re grimy or misaligned.

          Does your garage door go all the way down, but then open again? The open-and-shut limit settings of your garage door opener are probably on the blink. The settings instruct the garage door opener how far to move before it’s completely closed. If it’s set too high, the garage door will touch the floor before the opener assumes it should, assuming that it’s hitting an object in its path. If so, it will reverse so as not to smash the object. Your operator’s manual will tell you how to set the open-and-shut limits yourself.

          Does your garage door opener run, yet the garage door won’t open? If a power failure occurs, then your garage door opener has a disconnect switch, which permits you to open or close your garage door manually. This switch, normally attached to a knob or rope, can come undone by mistake. Here’s what to do: First, shut or open the garage door all the way. Then, securely reattach the hook. Finally, try closing or opening the garage door again using the transmitter. It should work just fine now.

          Does the garage door opener run for several seconds, but then turn off? If the garage door won’t move, this can happen while it’s closed and the motor attempts to lift it, but it just won’t budge. First, check the springs. Next, inspect the track for any tiny obstacles. Then, find out if perhaps your garage door has a built-in lock that’s accidentally engaging. This often takes place with older garage doors.

          Does the garage door open and close at random? If your garage door opens or shuts all by itself, even when you’re out, this is both a security risk and a nuisance. Make sure the transmitters aren’t stuck beneath an object that’s inadvertently pressing down on the control mechanism. For instance, the transmitters might be under some forgotten items in your car, or something else close by. If this isn’t the case, determine what the frequency of the transmitters is. A neighbor could actually have the exact same frequency.

          Does your garage door slam down with a bang? Then it’s time to hire a professional garage door technician.

If anything more serious is happening with your garage door, then call an expert garage door repair specialist. Here’s how to find the right one for your needs.

1. Do your homework. Check your local phone book and surf the Web to explore garage door companies in your area. Note the addresses and phone numbers. Verify that the street address truly belongs to that company, so you know that it’s really a local business. Using the Internet, match phone numbers with addresses. If the person who answers won’t tell you the full business name and the physical address, cross that one off your list.
2. Ask family, friends, and colleagues for their recommendations. Word of mouth from a satisfied customer is always your best bet.
3. When you have your list of viable garage door companies, investigate each one. Ask people you trust whether they know anything about any of the companies on your list. The Website for each company alone provides helpful information along with a first impression. You can ask the Better Business Bureau whether there are complaints on file. You can also check with your local consumer protection agency and your state’s attorney general.
4. Once you’ve narrowed it down to three, consult with each one, asking for specific advice about each of your garage door problems, and note what each one says. It’s important that you feel comfortable with the individual you choose who’s going to repair or replace your garage door and/or its components.
5. When you have three formal estimates, analyze all the details, check references, and get answers to all your questions. Compare prices. Remember that you get what you pay for. Follow your instincts, go with your gut, and you’ll be choosing the one garage door company you can rely on.

It’s beneficial if the garage door company you decide on offers a free consultation and free formal estimate before starting work. Additionally, the mobile garage door specialists on staff ought to possess exceptional experience and knowhow regarding current developments in the garage door industry, as well as in-depth skill, with the utmost integrity. For example, if you’re in San Pedro, California, consider hiring a local reputable company such as San Pedro Garage Door Repair.