Get Quotes from Top Garage Door Contractors in El Paso, TX
Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Garage Door Contractor in El Paso
Neglecting the regular maintenance or delaying repairs of your garage door may be a dangerous play. A malfunctioning garage door does more than compromise the security of your family and property. More than 20,000 injuries are recorded annually in the US as a result of faulty garage doors, with many of these incidents ending up in emergency room visits. Garage doors are typically the largest moving parts in many homes, as such their repairs and maintenance is best left to mechanics with the right tools and training to do a safe and correct job.
However, before you pick a garage door repair contractor in El Paso, ensure the professional provides their services per relevant provisions of the city's building regulations and can answer the following questions satisfactorily:
- Are You Licensed to Practice as a Garage Door Repair Contractor in El Paso?
- How Much Do You Charge Compared to Other Garage Door Repair Contractors in the City?
- What Kind of Garage Door Services Do You Offer?
- Will You Get the Garage Door Installation Permits as Required per the El Paso Building Code?
- What Brands of Garage Doors Do You Work With?
- Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Garage Door Repair Contractors in El Paso?
- How to File a Complaint Against a Bad Garage Door Contractor in the City
Are You Licensed to Practice as a Garage Door Repair Contractor in El Paso?
There are no mandatory occupational licensing requirements for garage door repair contractors that ply their trade in El Paso. Nevertheless, per Section 18.02.104 of the El Paso Code of Ordinances, these contractors must register with the El Paso Planning and Inspections Department if they intend to perform any work that requires city-issued permits. This type of work generally includes any construction and home improvement activities that may affect a building's structure, use, means of egress, or its plumbing, electrical, and mechanical systems.
Garage door repair contractors that wish to register with the El Paso Planning and Inspections Department will have to comply with certain requirements, which include:
- Providing proof of business registration in the form of an Assumed Name Certificate and other relevant corporate documents
- Completing a Contractor Registration Application Form
- Providing proof of adequate insurance coverage and construction bonding
These documents can be submitted to the department at:
One Stop Shop811 Texas Avenue
El Paso, TX 79901
Phone: (915) 212-0104
Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Mondays to Thursdays and 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. on Fridays
Queries related to the registration requirements for El Paso garage door repair contractors can be directed to the city's Planning and Inspections Department via the contact information listed above. You can also contact the department through the aforementioned details or via email to confirm that your intended contractor has been correctly registered and is eligible to pull any required permits for your garage door project.
Considering that El Paso garage door repair contractors do not have to hold occupational licenses to operate in the city, it is a good idea to look out for qualifying criteria when searching for one to handle your project. These criteria include membership in a trade association or construction and repair-related certifications from reputable organizations. Garage door repair contractors who have been certified by these types of associations typically have access to training opportunities and other resources that enhance their service delivery. In addition, many trade associations and certifying organizations hold their members to high professional standards, giving you a measure of confidence that your project will be carried out competently and satisfactorily.
Examples of reputable building and construction trade associations and certifying organizations in the El Paso area include the El Paso Association of Contractors, the El Paso Association of Builders, and the International Door Association. Note that you should always confirm any garage door repair contractor's claims of trade association membership or certification by requesting proof of this and contacting the appropriate organization to have this information authenticated.
How Much Do You Charge Compared to Other Garage Door Repair Contractors in the City?
The cost of garage door services in El Paso is affected by several factors, such as:
- The nature and scope of the required services
- The size of the garage door
- The type, style, and design of the garage door
- The severity of the damage to the door
- Your location within the city
- Your garage door contractor's level of experience
- Labor and service charges
It is always a good idea to find out exactly how much you will be required to pay for your required services before reaching any agreements with garage door contractors in the city. You should also get and compare rates from several contractors before making your final hiring decision. This way, you can get a fair market price estimate for your required services and weed out garage door contractors who try to scam homeowners by charging grossly inflated rates. Note that you should never automatically choose the contractor with the lowest rates and always demand an explanation if this contractor's rates are considerably lower than the others.
Garage door repair contractors in El Paso earn an annual average wage of $42,870. The list below compares the hourly average wages of these contractors with those of garage door repair contractors in other major Texas cities as well as other locations across the country:
What Kind of Garage Door Services Do You Offer?
Professional garage door repair contractors generally provide a variety of services to interested El Paso residents, such as replacing broken springs and rollers, installing door openers, and fixing loose chain belts. These services can be collectively classified under the following categories:
- New garage door installations
- Garage door replacements
- Garage door repairs
- Garage door maintenance
New garage door installations and garage door replacements are typically requested by parties that need garage doors and garage door openers for newly constructed or remodeled buildings and those that want to replace their old or malfunctioning garage doors with newer models. These types of services can range in price from $300 to $4,000, including labor and material costs. While it is possible to reduce these costs by reusing your old garage door components for your replacement project, you should always confirm that these older parts will work with your new garage door system before doing this.
On the other hand, garage door repair and maintenance services involve replacing damaged garage door components and taking actions designed to keep garage door systems operating as safely, effectively, and efficiently as possible. Many El Paso garage door contractors offer residents of the area the choice of signing up for routine garage door inspections to detect wear and tear, fix these issues before they worsen, and reduce the likelihood of accidents. Some common examples of these garage door repair and maintenance services include:
- Auto-reverse and safety features testing and assessment
- Broken garage door hinges replacement
- Broken garage door spring repair and replacement
- Broken/bent garage door track repair and replacement
- Broken/damaged roller repair
- Damage door panel repair and replacement
- Damaged door frame repair and replacement
- Garage door opener assessment and repair or replacement
- Garage door safety sensor alignment
- Garage door spring balancing
- Garage door tune-up
- Garage door weather seal assessment and replacement
- Hinge and roller assessment
- Moving parts lubrication
- Off-track garage door repair
- Snapped/broken garage door cable repair and replacement
It is essential to find out the precise types of garage door services that your preferred garage door repair contractors are equipped to offer to determine whether they will be a good fit for your garage door project. Failing to do this can end up causing disagreements between you and the contractor due to unsatisfactory service delivery and can also cost you time and money to find a different, more competent contractor to re-do the project.
Listed below are price ranges for common garage door services offered in El Paso. Note that the nature and scope of the particular task, your location within the city, and your contractor's reputation, as well as their level of experience, will all have an impact on the actual cost of these services:
Estimates for garage door installation based on type (materials only):
Estimates for garage door installation based on configuration (materials only):
Estimates for garage door installation based on size (materials only):
Estimates for garage door installation based on door material (materials only):
Estimates for garage door installation based on style (materials only):
Estimates for garage door opener installation based on type (unit only):
Estimates for garage door screen installation based on type (materials only):
Estimates for garage door installation and replacement labor (per hour):
Estimates for garage door repair based on door material:
Estimates for garage door repair or replacement based on faulty components:
Estimates for garage door repair based on type of problem:
Will You Get the Garage Door Installation Permits as Required per the El Paso Building Code?
According to Section 18.02.105 of the El Paso Code of Ordinances, a city-issued permit must be obtained from the El Paso Planning and Inspections Department before constructing, altering, or repairing buildings and structures in the city. However, this law makes exemptions for ordinary, minor nonstructural repair and remodeling work done on these buildings and structures.
To this end, parties that wish to obtain permits for their garage door-related projects may submit applications to the El Paso Planning and Inspections Department online via the city's Citizen Access Portal. Note that the creation of a user account on this portal will be required for this permit application option. Alternatively, permit applications can also be made by submitting a completed Building Permit Application Form to the Planning and Inspections Department via its One Stop Shop at:
811 Texas AvenueEl Paso, TX 79901
Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Mondays to Thursdays and 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., Fridays
Note that, depending on the nature and scope of the project, additional documents like site plans and building drawings may be required. All permit applicants will also have to pay a stipulated fee before obtaining their requested permits. It should also be noted that the El Paso Planning and Inspections Department exercises the authority to inspect all building and construction-related projects in the city to ensure they comply with relevant local ordinances and building regulations.
You can get additional information or direct inquiries concerning the El Paso permitting process for garage door projects to the city's Planning and Inspections Department at (915) 212-0104 or via email.
What Brands of Garage Doors Do You Work With?
As much as confirming your intended garage door contractor's area of specialization is important, finding out which garage door brands they have experience working with is equally important. Garage door contractors in El Paso typically work with several tried and trusted garage door brands, such as:
Products from these brands are made from a variety of premium materials like steel, aluminum, wood, composite wood, glass, fiberglass, and vinyl, and these products are also offered in various styles, designs, and operating mechanisms, such as:
- Carriage garage doors
- Folding garage doors
- French-style garage doors
- Paneled garage doors
- Roll-up garage doors
- Sectional garage doors
- Side-hinged garage doors
- Sliding garage doors
- Up-and-over garage doors
Note that you should always take the following essential features into account before deciding on the brand and model of garage door to install in your home:
- Aesthetic appeal
- Convenience/Ease of operation
- Cost
- Durability
- Insulation
- Maintenance requirements
- Motor strength
- Safety
- Security
The kind of garage door opener you install along with your garage door will also impact its effectiveness and usability. Garage door openers are usually supplied separately from garage doors and can be tailored to meet your unique needs. Some top garage door opener models commonly used by residents of El Paso include:
Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Garage Door Repair Contractors in El Paso?
Hiring properly insured garage door repair contractors provides you with financial and legal protection if these contractors sustain or cause any injuries or property damage while working on your project. Data published by the Texas Department of Insurance suggests that a total of 469 fatal and 178,600 nonfatal workplace injuries were recorded across the state in 2020, with construction, maintenance, and repair-related occupations accounting for a large number of these injuries.
As such, while El Paso garage door repair contractors do not typically have to carry insurance before offering their services to interested parties in the city, any contractor that wishes to perform projects that require city-issued permits must comply with the following financial obligations:
- They must carry general liability insurance with minimum limits of $250,000 for bodily injury per person or $500,000 in aggregate and $100,000 for property damage
- They must post a Blanket Building Construction Bond of $25,000
Always confirm your intended garage door contractor's insurance and bonding status before reaching any hiring agreements with them, regardless of whether your project will require city-issued permits or not. You can do this by requesting copies of their insurance and bond certificates, contacting the appropriate issuing organization to validate these certificates, and verifying that the contractor's insurance coverage is adequate for the scope of your garage door project. You can also contact the El Paso Planning and Inspections Department at (915) 212-0104 to get additional information on the insurance and bonding requirements for contractors who perform jobs requiring city-issued permits.
How to File a Complaint Against a Bad Garage Door Contractor in the City
The Texas Attorney General's Office is the primary consumer protection agency for the El Paso area, and complaints against bad garage door contractors in the city can be filed with this office.
In October 2021, KTSM 9 News reported that a home improvement contractor had scammed an El Paso couple out of thousands of dollars by requesting payment for services, doing shoddy and haphazard work, and subsequently absconding without completing the job. Similarly, in February 2022, KFOX 14 news reported that an El Paso homeowner had lost over $30,000 to a contractor who had skipped out after being paid for remodeling and renovation services. According to the report, the contractor had absconded after being asked if all necessary permits for the project had been pulled, leaving the victim with torn-down walls and a home in shambles.
Complaints concerning shoddy construction and home improvement work, or a failure to start or complete these types of jobs despite receiving payment, are common in El Paso and regularly top the list of complaints made by residents of the area. By paying attention to the tips provided below, you can avoid having these types of issues when undertaking garage door-related projects in the city:
- Be wary of garage door contractors who show up at your home with unsolicited offers of garage door services or deals that sound too good to be true
- Reach out to friends and family who have completed similar projects for recommendations on reputable garage door contractors in the city. You can also use platforms provided by organizations like the International Door Association and the Better Business Bureau to get referrals to these types of contractors
- Always get and compare rates from at least three different garage door contractors before making your hiring decision
- Be wary of garage door contractors that try to pressure you into signing up for their services
- Contact the El Paso Department of Planning and Inspections at (915) 212-0104 to find out the permit requirements, if any, for your project and to also confirm that your contractor has not only been registered by this department but has pulled the required permits. Be wary of contractors that ask you to pull permits yourself
- Make sure that your garage door contractor is properly insured and bonded
- Do not hire garage door contractors who do not have verifiable physical addresses or who have a noticeable absence of identifying marks and company brands on their uniforms, vehicles, and paperwork
- Request references from your intended garage door contractor and always contact these references. Be wary of any contractor that cannot provide you with up to three verifiable references or does not want to provide this information
- Use platforms like Google Review, Better Business Bureau, Yelp, and other similar websites to look up reviews on your intended garage door contractor
- Insist on getting a well-detailed contract before any work commences. Make sure that you read and understand this contract before signing it
- Never pay the full cost of your project upfront, and limit down payments to a maximum of 20 – 30 percent of the project's total value
- Avoid cash transactions and be wary of contractors that insist on this form of payment, especially if they ask for it upfront
- Never let payments get ahead of the work being done. Also, make sure that you are satisfied with the finished work before making your final payment for the project
- Keep copies of contracts, invoices, warranties, receipts, and all other documents related to the project safely
If you or a loved one have fallen victim to the dishonest or fraudulent actions of bad garage door contractors in El Paso, you can file a complaint against these contractors with the Texas Attorney General's Office by calling 1-800-621-0508. Complaints can also be filed with this office online or by mailing a consumer complaint form to:
Office of the Attorney GeneralConsumer Protection Division
P.O. Box 12548
Austin, TX 78711-2548
Matters involving city construction and home improvement scams can also be reported to the El Paso Police Department by calling (915) 832-4400.
Finally, you have the option of suing the garage door contractor in an appropriate precinct of the El Paso County Justice of the Peace Courts to demand monetary damages or any other type of personal remedy for their actions. Note that you should always seek proper legal counsel before doing this. To this end, you can utilize the State Bar of Texas's Lawyer Referral and Information Service to locate licensed attorneys who practice in the El Paso area.
Table of Contents
- Are You Licensed to Practice as a Garage Door Repair Contractor in El Paso?
- How Much Do You Charge Compared to Other Garage Door Repair Contractors in the City?
- What Kind of Garage Door Services Do You Offer?
- Will You Get the Garage Door Installation Permits as Required per the El Paso Building Code?
- What Brands of Garage Doors Do You Work With?
- Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Garage Door Repair Contractors in El Paso?
- How to File a Complaint Against a Bad Garage Door Contractor in the City