Don't Overpay for Garage Door Repairs (Our Top Tips)

Overhead garage doors have become so reliable that most people are shocked when they start acting up, making strange noises, or just plain refusing to open. Nobody wants to call for garage door repair, but sometimes it's unavoidable. But if that unhappy day rolls around, how do you know you're getting a fair price on those repairs and not overpaying? It's an important question and in this guide we'll address it. We'll also provide you with our top tips for making sure you get a fair price on repairs.

Who to Believe?

If you do not have a trustworthy garage door outfit you can call when your door is having issues, you're left to do comparison shopping, and that can be a real eye-opener. If the problem is a stuck garage door, you may find one company that says they'll repair it for next to nothing and another company that insists you need to replace the entire thing. It can be a very frustrating experience. So why the divergence in information and pricing? Here are some common reasons:

• Taking advantage of your need: Sad but true that there are plenty of companies out there willing to scam you when they learn of your need for immediate relief by hiking the price of their services.
• The value of being vague: As far as repair techs go, it's in their interest to keep things vague. As long as they do not tie themselves down to a specific answer, they can keep tacking things on without technically breaking their word. So be wary if you hear "It could be a lot of things…"
• Taking advantage part II: It's all too common for garage door companies that sense urgency on your part to double or triple the price they quote you on parts. Again, this is because they know you need your door fixed now, and they're also banking on the idea that you don't know what a garage door opener or other parts cost.

You won't have any of these issues when you deal with A Better Garage Door. Over the years, we've developed a reputation for always being straight with our customers regardless of their situation. It's called integrity and it's one of the foundational principles of our business.

Beware the Spring Diagnosis

Contrary to popular belief, the garage door opener does not actually open the garage door. That task falls to the springs. The job of the opener is to put the door in motion. Then, when the springs kick in and provide the energy necessary for lifting, the opener regulates the motion of the door so that it's smooth and uneventful.

There are two kinds of springs used on garage doors: torsion springs and extension springs.

The idea of having two for each door is that if one fails, the other can still lift or drop the door, although the motion will likely be slow and jerky.

Torsion springs typically last longer than extension springs and are more expensive, usually in the range of $200 - $350, depending on the size of the springs. By contrast, an extension spring typically costs $50 or less. So if your repair tech is quoting you $500 for a torsion spring or $200 for an extension spring - that's spring only without labor included - you should thank them for their time and keep looking.

For the record: Never, ever attempt to repair or replace broken garage door springs yourself. These springs contain enough coiled-up energy to kill a person. Always leave garage door spring work in Littleton to the professionals at A Better Garage Door.

Repairs Will Only Take You So Far

Another confusing aspect of seeking help for garage door troubles is knowing when it's time to move past repairs and embrace replacement. With that in mind, here are some signs the repair route has run its course:

• If you are calling for repair work on a regular basis and have been for some time, consider simply replacing the entire door and starting over.
• If heat is escaping through and around your garage door in winter, it's also pulling heat out of adjoining rooms. All that lost heat will cause your monthly energy bills to be much higher than they should be. When you stop repairing your old leaky door and replace it with a new, insulated one you'll save a ton on energy costs going forward.
• If your old garage door looks like it's done a couple of tours in Afghanistan, it's going to drag down your home's curb appeal. Why is that important? Because curb appeal can affect the market value of your home by up to 10%.

Check out this video:

Regular Maintenance: Your Key to Avoiding Repair Costs

Most of the time, when garage door components break down, it's because they have not been properly maintained. The solution to that is obvious: call A Better Garage Door and set up a regular maintenance schedule for your door. In the long run, you will save money by avoiding the need for expensive repairs.

During a typical maintenance visit, our technician will:

• Lubricate all garage door components that require it so that they operate smoothly and quietly.
• Inspect the door top to bottom to ensure nothing has come loose or been damaged.
• Make sure the auto-reverse safety feature is working as intended.
• Test the opener to make sure it is running smoothly and efficiently.
• Clean tracks if necessary to ensure smooth motion of the door when it rises and falls.
• Check on the condition of the torsion or extension springs.

Regular maintenance is, without a doubt, the best way to prevent the various components of the door from breaking down and requiring expensive repairs. Regular maintenance will also help ensure your garage door warranty stays active.

For Expert Garage Door Repair in Littleton Trust A Better Garage Door

If you want to make sure you don't overpay for repairs to your garage door, get in touch with the team at A Better Garage Door and say you want to schedule regular garage door maintenance visits. We'll make sure your garage door is always running like clockwork.

That said, if your garage door is acting up, get in touch by calling us at 303-920-2267.