How to Save Lots of Money on Garage Door Repairs

The following is a list of ways that people routinely waste money on their garage door.  For some people this adds up to hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

  1. Paying a service charge for a professional to adjust safety eyes (avg. waste
    $100).
  2. Paying a garage door company a service charge plus a highly marked up retail price for a remote control or keypad (avg. waste $130).
  3. Overpaying for unnecessary garage door tune ups. Most people can inspect, test, and service their door themselves, saving up to $150 for less than 20 minutes of easy work.
  4. Damage to top of the door because the garage door opener force sensitivity was set too strong, so the opener bends or breaks the top section the first time you try to open it with a broken spring (avg. waste $150, could be the cost of a whole new door if your model is no longer made).
  5. Paying too much for a garage door “overhaul” repair package (avg. waste $250, sometimes much more)
  6. Replacing a door that could be overhauled at a reasonable price. Save up to $1000 when doing having an old door overhauled instead of replaced.  The important thing is that the door sections and track are in good shape.  If so, your old door could work like new for under $600 by replacing the critical parts.
  7. Botched opener repairs and installations. You must resist the urge to start turning nobs and dials if you don’t know what they do and how much they do it. Installing your own garage door opener is not too difficult, but if it goes wrong it is expensive.  Follow my simple guidelines and the manufacturer’s instructions and everything will be fine.

 

These are great ways to save lots of money on garage door repairs:

  1. Take a minute to troubleshoot your door and know your prices if you call a professional for repairs. Many garage door technicians use a sliding scale based on your level of cluelessness and how easily they think you can afford it.
  2. Make minor repairs and adjustments yourself, especially adjusting safety eyes, programming remote controls and keypads, lubing your garage door opener. A professional will charge at least $80 to do things you could do for free in just a few minutes.
  3. Be aware that many of the companies advertising 24/7 emergency service are in the business of over charging for springs and other quick repairs. Be sure to ask about installed prices and extra charges before you schedule.
  4. Most companies with a website have coupons. Do not present your coupon until the last possible moment or the price is likely to go up accordingly.
  5. Ask if you can have a discount. Especially if you are paying towards the upper end for springs or an opener.
  6. If you are up to the challenge, replace your own springs. You can save at least $150 on a double spring replacement.
  7. Install a garage door opener yourself. Save about $200.  Do not count on the materials provided out of the box to be sufficient to do a good job.  You may need extra material to properly hang the opener.
  8. Rebuild your old door as long as you are happy with the way it looks and the sections are in good condition. You can have a door that works like brand new for $1000 less than a new door.  You could save an extra $300 beyond that if you do it yourself.  Huge savings potential, and on many doors out there this is pretty easy.