Questions people ask

The request

What does this site actually do?

It takes your description of the problem once and hands it to a single independent garage door company that covers your town. That company calls you back, talks through what the door is doing, and tells you what the work involves. We do not send your information to more than one company, and we do not sell it anywhere.

Who calls me back?

One company, and only one. Your phone number goes to the pro that covers your town, not to a list of bidders.

What should I check while I wait?

Look at the spring above the door opening for a visible gap in the coil. Check whether the opener light blinks or the unit hums when you press the button. Note whether the door is stuck open, closed, or partway, and whether a car is trapped. Do not pull the red release cord if you suspect a broken spring; the door is heavier than it looks.

The work

Is a broken spring urgent?

It is urgent if the car is trapped or the door cannot be closed at night, and merely annoying otherwise. The door will not run safely on one spring or a snapped cable, so stop cycling it either way; a door forced through travel turns a spring job into a bigger repair.

Should I replace the door or repair it?

That depends on what failed and how old the door is. A spring, cable, or opener on a sound door is a repair. A door with cracked panels, a rotted wood frame, or twenty years of deferred wear is a replacement conversation. The company that calls will tell you which side yours falls on, and the written scope is what you compare.

Do garage doors need maintenance?

A little, and most doors get none. Rollers, hinges, and springs benefit from a periodic look, and the seals and tracks in this valley collect wind-driven grit. Whether a company offers a service visit is worth asking on the callback.

Money and hiring

What does garage door repair cost?

It depends on the part, the door, and how much damage ran before it got looked at. A spring swap is a different job than a door that is folded crooked in its track. The company that calls will look at the door and put the scope in writing before work begins; that written number is the one to compare, and you are free to say no.

Should I check that the company is registered?

Yes. Idaho registers contractors through the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses, and a company doing real work on your house should be on it. Ask for the registration on the callback; a legitimate operator will not flinch at the question.

Is this free to use?

Yes. Sending the form costs nothing and creates no obligation. You pay the company you hire directly, the same as if you had called them yourself.