What changes the price
Two doors that look alike from the street can be priced very differently. The difference is in the material, the insulation, the size and the options. If you call me at (619) 930-7869, I'll come measure and go through these with you in person.
- MaterialSteel is the most common and the lowest upkeep. Insulated steel adds a layer of foam and a back skin. Real wood looks great on older homes but costs more and needs refinishing. Wood-look steel is a middle ground.
- SizeA single-car door and a two-car door are different products with different springs and track. Non-standard openings, common on older detached garages, may need a custom size.
- Style and windowsPlain raised panels, flush panels and carriage-house designs are priced differently. Windows, decorative hardware and custom colors each add to the door.
- Insulation levelDoors range from a single steel skin to thick insulated doors with a higher R-value. More insulation means a quieter, cooler garage and a higher price.
- Wind-load reinforcementSome doors can be ordered with extra bracing for high wind. It isn't needed in most San Diego neighborhoods, but if your city or HOA requires it, it changes the door.
- Opener at the same timeIf your opener is old, loud or has no battery backup, installing a new LiftMaster with the door saves a second visit. It's a separate line on the quote.
Why I don't quote a new door over the phone
Garage openings aren't as standard as they look. Headroom, side room, the condition of the framing and the slope of the floor all affect what fits and what hardware it needs. If I quote without measuring, one of us is going to be surprised on install day.
- 1MeasureOpening width and height, headroom above the door, side room for the track, backroom for the opener, framing and floor.
- 2ChooseWe go through material, insulation, style, windows and color, with door options from Clopay and First UDT.
- 3PriceA written price for the exact door you pick, installed, with haul-away. Nothing is ordered until you say go.
What's in my estimate
The price I give you is for the door installed and working, not just the door in a box.
- The door, sized to your openingOrdered to the measurements I took, in the style and color you chose.
- New track, springs and hardwareSprings matched to the new door's weight, so it's balanced from day one. Old track and springs don't get reused on a new door.
- Removal and haul-awayI release the old springs safely, take the old door down section by section and take it all away.
- Opener hookup and safety testYour opener reconnected, limits and force reset, sensors aligned and the auto-reverse tested.
- Warranty in writingOne year on parts and 30 days on my labor, on your invoice. The door also carries its manufacturer's warranty.
HOAs and approvals
Many San Diego HOAs have rules about garage door color, panel style and windows. Some want an application approved before anything changes on the front of the house. If you're in one, check before you fall in love with a design.
Approval can take a while, depending on how often the board meets. It's worth starting the paperwork as soon as you've picked a door, so the wait for approval and the wait for the door overlap instead of stacking.
I'll give you the model, color and spec sheet for the door you pick so you can submit it. I don't order the door until you have approval. It's much easier than replacing a door the HOA rejects.
Red flags with door quotes
New doors are a bigger purchase than a repair, so it's worth knowing what a weak quote looks like.
- A price with no measurementAnyone quoting a firm installed price without seeing the opening is guessing, or planning to add charges later.
- Reusing the old springsA new door has a different weight. Old springs on a new door means a door that's out of balance and an opener that works too hard.
- Haul-away not mentionedAsk whether removal and disposal are included. Some quotes leave the old door in your driveway.
- Pushed to replace when a repair would doIf the panels are sound and the problem is a spring, cable or roller, you may not need a new door. I'll tell you if that's the case.
- No license numberMine is CSLB #1136749. You can look it up at cslb.ca.gov.