Get Quotes from Top Garage Door Contractors in San Antonio, TX
Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Garage Door Contractor in San Antonio
The garage door is one of the most notable features of any home, and when maintained properly, it helps preserve your home's curb appeal, security, and resale value. Though it may be tempting to save money by trying to repair or maintain your garage door by yourself, it is a risky gamble. Broken garage doors account for over 20,000 accidents annually, with many of these resulting in emergency room visits. Therefore, it is a smart move to leave your garage door repairs and maintenance to top local professionals with the right tools and training to deliver the job safely and correctly per San Antonio property maintenance standards. Nonetheless, always ask the following questions before you agree to hire any garage door contractor in the city:
- Are You Licensed to Practice as a Garage Door Repair Contractor in San Antonio?
- 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 San Antonio Building Code?
- What Brands of Garage Doors Do You Work With?
- Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Garage Door Repair Contractors in San Antonio?
- 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 San Antonio?
Section 10-115 of the San Antonio Code of Ordinances makes it mandatory for any individual who wishes to offer any type of building, construction, and home improvement services within San Antonio to register with the city's Development Services Department (DSD). Garage door repair contractors who wish to operate in San Antonio are bound by this law, and failure to register with the DSD before offering residential garage door services is considered a Class C misdemeanor. This offense carries a statutory penalty of up to $500 per violation.
Note that there are currently no mandatory licensing and registration requirements for garage door repair contractors in San Antonio that offer their services solely for commercial buildings and structures in the city. Garage door repair contractors who wish to register with the DSD may do so under any of the following categories:
- Home Improvement Contractor: individuals who register as home improvement contractors can only provide services that are limited to non-structural repairs, alterations, replacements, conversions, remodeling, and modernizations on existing residential buildings and detached accessory structures that are not more than 400 square feet.
- Residential Building Contractor: individuals who register as residential building contractors can provide any type of residential building, construction, and home improvement service. These include installing garage doors in new constructions as well as structural garage door repairs, replacements, and alterations in existing residential buildings and detached accessory structures, regardless of their size.
Parties that wish to undergo the registration process with the San Antonio Development Services Department will be required to complete and submit either a Home Improvement Contractor Registration Application Form or a Residential Building Contractor Registration Application Form to:
Cliff Morton Development and Business Services Center1901 South Alamo Street
San Antonio, TX 78204
Phone: (210) 207-1111
Hours: 7:45 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Mondays to Fridays
Note that the completed registration form must be submitted in person. Registrants will also have to comply with other requirements before completing the registration process, such as:
- Completing a mandatory FBI national background check
- Submitting a valid government-issued photo ID
- Submitting proof of acceptable liability insurance coverage
- Paying a stipulated registration fee
- Providing any additional documentation that the DSD may deem necessary at the time the registration request is made.
Inquiries concerning the DSD's contractor registration procedure and requirements for garage door repair contractors can be directed to the department via the contact information provided above. You can also confirm that your intended garage door repair contractor has been properly registered with the DSD by calling (210) 207-1111 or by utilizing the Contractor Search portal the department provides.
How Much Do You Charge Compared to Other Garage Door Repair Contractors in the City?
You should always know how much you will be expected to pay for your required garage door services and agree on these costs before concluding any hiring arrangements with garage door repair contractors in San Antonio. Several factors contribute to the costs of garage door repair and replacement services in the city, and these include:
- The amount of damage to the door
- The type and style of garage door
- The size of the garage door
- The garage door material
- Your home's finishes
- Your location within the city
- The garage door repair contractor's reputation and level of experience
- Labor and service charges
You should consider getting rates and quotes from several city contractors while searching for a suitable garage door repair contractor. By comparing these quotes, you can get a fair estimate of the true cost of your required garage door services and also spot contractors that deceptively inflate their charges. However, this does not mean that you should automatically hire the contractor that provides the lowest quotes, especially if there is a significant difference between the contractor's rates and the quotes submitted by the other contractors. Always ask for an explanation to justify this difference and be suspicious if the contractor cannot come up with a good one.
Garage door repair contractors in San Antonio earn an annual average wage of $41,680. 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 in San Antonio offer a wide range of services to interested residents of the city, such as broken spring and roller replacements, door opener installations, and loose chain belt repairs. Nevertheless, it is crucial to find out the specific types of garage door services your intended garage door repair contractors are equipped to provide to assess their suitability for your garage door project. These services can be grouped into 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 commonly requested by individuals who require garage doors and garage door openers for newly constructed buildings or wish to replace already installed garage doors with newer models. While these services can cost anywhere from $350 - $4,000, including the labor and material costs, you can reduce this amount by reusing older parts for your garage door replacement. Before doing this, you should always get the go-ahead from a professional garage door repair contractor that these older parts will be compatible with your replacement garage door.
On the other hand, garage door repairs and garage door maintenance involve fixing damaged parts of garage doors and servicing your garage door system to ensure that it functions safely, efficiently, and optimally. Some professional garage door repair contractors in the city also offer clients the option of signing for regular garage door inspection and maintenance services to spot wear and tear and minimize the occurrence of accidents. Examples of these garage door repair and maintenance services include, but are not limited to:
- Broken garage door spring repair and replacement
- Off-track garage door repair
- Garage door tune-ups
- Snapped/broken garage door cable repair and replacement
- Garage door opener assessment and repair or replacement
- Garage door auto-reverse testing
- Broken/bent garage door track repair and replacement
- Damage door panel repair and replacement
- Damaged door frame repair and replacement
- Garage door safety sensor alignment
- Broken/damaged roller repair
- Broken garage door hinges replacement
- Moving parts lubrication
- Garage door spring balancing
- Hinge and roller assessment
- Garage door weather seal assessment and replacement
Failing to confirm your intended garage door repair contractor's area of specialization before hiring them can lead to arguments and disagreements between you and the contractor. Getting a qualified contractor to re-do the job will also cost you time and money.
Cost estimates for frequently requested garage door services in San Antonio are provided below. Keep in mind that the actual cost of these services will be influenced by factors like the nature and scope of the specific task, as well as your location within the city and your contractor's local reputation and level of experience:
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 San Antonio Building Code?
Per the provisions of Section 10-6 of the San Antonio Code of Ordinances, any individual who wishes to construct, alter, enlarge, repair, remodel, or change the occupancy of buildings and structures in San Antonio must obtain a permit before doing so. Permit exemptions may be made for projects involving cosmetic or minor and non-structural changes to the building or structure. However, restrictions may be placed on these permit-exempted projects if the building or structure in question is located in a historic, neighborhood conservation, or corridor district.
The San Antonio Development Services Department (DSD) is responsible for issuing permits for garage-related projects in the city, and these permits are typically issued to either homeowners or city-registered contractors. Eligible parties that wish to obtain permits from this department may do so by submitting a permit application online via the BuildSA online portal. First-time applicants will have to register a user account on this portal before proceeding with the submission process, and the DSD provides information on how to do this via its customer resources webpage. Information on how to navigate the submission process can also be gleaned from this webpage.
Alternatively, individuals who do not wish to utilize the online option may obtain permits from the DSD in person at the department's One-Stop Center located at:
Cliff Morton Development and Business Services Center1901 South Alamo Street
San Antonio, TX 78204
Hours: 7:45 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Mondays to Fridays
Note that these in-person applicants must complete and submit an appropriate application form and provide any relevant additional documentation that the department may require. These usually include project plans and drawings. The payment of a fee is also typically required at this stage.
Once permit applications, along with the stipulated fees and necessary additional documentation, that are submitted to the DSD are reviewed and approved, the department will issue the requested permit. At this point, the garage door project can commence. Note that all permitted projects in San Antonio are subject to inspections by authorized officials from the DSD to make sure that the work done complies with relevant provisions of the San Antonio Code of Ordinances and other applicable regulations.
Queries concerning the DSD's permitting and inspection process for garage door projects can be directed to the department online by calling (210) 207-1111 or visiting its One-Stop Center at the contact address mentioned above.
What Brands of Garage Doors Do You Work With?
While verifying the kinds of services your intended garage door repair contractor offers and their area of expertise is essential, it is equally crucial to find out which garage door brands they have experience working with. There are several tried and trusted garage door brands readily available in San Antonio, and these include:
These garage door brands are constructed with different types of high-quality materials, such as steel, aluminum, wood, composite wood, fiberglass, and vinyl. They are also usually available in different styles, designs, and opening mechanisms. These include:
- Sectional garage doors
- Carriage garage doors
- Folding garage doors
- Sliding garage doors
- Roll-up garage doors
- Up-and-Over garage doors
- Side-hinged garage doors
- Paneled garage doors
- French-style garage doors
Before deciding which garage door brand, style, design, or opening mechanism to use for your garage door installation or replacement project, you should always consider certain key features of your preferred door. These features are:
- Security
- Safety
- Motor strength
- Cost
- Aesthetic appeal
- Convenience/Ease of operation
- Durability
- Insulation
- Maintenance requirements
Another important factor that will affect the efficiency and operability of your garage door is the type of garage door opener that you install with it. These garage door openers are typically sold separately from the garage doors and can be customized to fit your specific needs. Some high-quality garage door opener brands favored by homeowners in San Antonio include:
Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Garage Door Repair Contractors in San Antonio?
Garage door repair contractors that wish to work on residential buildings and structures in San Antonio are statutorily required to carry liability insurance with the following minimum limits:
- Garage door repair contractors that register as Residential Building Contractors must carry liability insurance with a coverage of at least $500,000 per occurrence or $1,000,000 in aggregate for bodily injury and property damage and $500,000 in aggregate for products and completed operations
- Garage door repair contractors that register as Home Improvement Contractors must carry liability insurance with a coverage of at least $300,000 per occurrence or $600,000 in aggregate for bodily injury and property damage and $300,000 in aggregate for products and completed operations
Hiring an appropriately insured garage door repair contractor is of utmost importance, regardless of whether you require residential or commercial garage door services. According to the Texas Department of Insurance, 469 fatal and 178,600 nonfatal workplace injuries were recorded across Texas in 2020, with a large number of these incidents occurring among construction, maintenance, and repair-related workers. Failing to confirm your contractor's insurance status makes you liable for any injuries or property damage caused by, or to, the contractor during your project if it turns out that they are not adequately insured.
Therefore, always request and validate proof of insurance from your intended garage door repair contractor before they commence any work on your property. You can do this by requesting a copy of their insurance certificate and contacting the appropriate insurance provider to authenticate the certificate and ascertain that their insurance coverage will be adequate for your project.
You can also contact the San Antonio Development Services Department at (210) 207-1111 to get additional information on the obligatory insurance requirements for garage door contractors in the city.
How to File a Complaint Against a Bad Garage Door Contractor in the City
Complaints against bad garage door repair contractors in San Antonio are typically filed at the state level with the Texas Attorney General's Office.
Complaints involving construction and home improvement-related matters were the second most common types of consumer complaints filed in the San Antonio area and across the United States in 2020. As such, when searching for garage door services in San Antonio, you should look out for signs that you may be dealing with a dishonest contractor or even a possible scammer. These signs include:
- Unsolicited offers of garage door inspections and repair services
- Deals that sound too good to be true or require you to make immediate decisions. These include offers of "lifetime guarantees" for repairs and replacements or meager rates
- Hesitance to provide proof of registration or references from past clients
- A noticeable absence of company logos and identifying marks or inconsistent names on the contractor's vehicle, paperwork, and uniform
- Insistence on upfront payment, usually in cash
In May 2018, Spectrum New 1 reported that a San Antonio contractor had been jailed following accusations that the contractor had scammed several elderly consumers across Texas, some of whom were above the age of 75. Similarly, in March 2022, San Antonio Express-News reported that a Texas couple had been sent to prison for their involvement in a home renovation scheme that had resulted in the loss of more than $800,000 as well as the destruction of several victims' homes.
Utilizing the tips provided below can help ensure that you hire legitimate garage door repair contractors in San Antonio:
- Never hire anyone who shows up at your doorstep and offers unsolicited garage door inspection and repair services.
- Always get referrals to garage door repair contractors from trusted sources like family and friends who have undertaken a similar project. You can also utilize the city's Contractor Connect platform or other online directories provided by reputable organizations like the Better Business Bureau and the International Door Association to search for garage door repair contractors around you.
- Do not just hire the first garage door contractor that you contact. Get and compare quotes from at least three different contractors before making your hiring choice. Note that you should not automatically hire the contractor with the lowest quote
- Never hire any contractor that pressures you into making on-the-spot decisions
- Make sure that your preferred contractor has been registered by the San Antonio Development Services Department and that they are also properly insured
- Never hire garage door contractors who do not have verifiable physical addresses. You should also be wary of any contractor that is hesitant to provide you with references to past clients
- Always contact any references that you are given to get their reviews on the garage door contractor. You can also get reviews and testimonials on your intended contractor online from the Better Business Bureau, Google Review, Yelp, and other similar websites
- Be wary of contractors that ask you to pull permits by yourself
- Make sure that you are given a written and well-detailed contract before any work commences, and review this contract properly before you sign it
- Never hire any garage door contractor who requests full payment upfront before they commence work. Also, limit any advance payments that you have to make to 25 – 30 percent of the project's total cost
- Make sure that your garage door project is satisfactorily completed before making final payments to the contractor
You can file complaints concerning dishonest garage door contractors or construction and home-improvement scams in San Antonio with the Texas Attorney General's Office through the following methods:
- By calling 1-800-621-0508
- By completing and submitting an online consumer complaint form
- By mailing a completed consumer complaint form to
Consumer Protection Division
P.O. Box 12548
Austin, TX 78711-2548
You can also report unsatisfactory residential services provided by city-registered garage door contractors by contacting the San Antonio Development Services Department at:
Cliff Morton Development and Business Services Center1901 South Alamo Street
San Antonio, TX 78204
Phone: (210) 207-1111
Hours: 7:45 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Mondays to Fridays
Finally, you can file a lawsuit against the contractor at an appropriate Bexar County Justice of the Peace Courts precinct to seek damages or any other form of personal remedy for their actions. Note that you should always get proper legal advice before doing this. You can find licensed attorneys in San Antonio via the State Bar of Texas's Lawyer Referral and Information Service.
Table of Contents
- Are You Licensed to Practice as a Garage Door Repair Contractor in San Antonio?
- 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 San Antonio Building Code?
- What Brands of Garage Doors Do You Work With?
- Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Garage Door Repair Contractors in San Antonio?
- How to File a Complaint Against a Bad Garage Door Contractor in the City