Get Quotes from Top Garage Door Contractors in Oklahoma City, OK
Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Garage Door Contractor in Oklahoma City
Faulty garage doors cause approximately 20,000 emergency room visits annually, with the severity of these injuries ranging from pinched fingers to permanent brain injuries and even death. As such, even though it may be tempting to save money by trying to fix your garage door yourself, or hiring a cheap handyman to tackle the job, the risks of doing this far outweigh any perceived benefits.
Hiring a professional garage door contractor not only ensures that you get value for your money but also gives you peace of mind that your garage door will be safely and expertly repaired or maintained per pertinent federal standards and local regulations. However, to achieve all this, you should always ask the following questions before hiring any garage door repair contractors in Oklahoma City to determine whether they can competently perform the task at hand:
- Are You Licensed to Practice as a Garage Door Repair Contractor in Oklahoma City?
- 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 Oklahoma City Building Code?
- What Brands of Garage Doors Do You Work With?
- Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Garage Door Repair Contractors in Oklahoma City?
- 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 Oklahoma City?
Garage door repair contractors that operate within Oklahoma City do not typically need to possess any occupation-specific or general contractor licenses to offer their services to interested parties in the city. However, any of these contractors who wish to perform any type of work on new or existing private property that will require a city-issued building permit must register as Residential Building Contractors with the Oklahoma City Development Services Department.
Garage door repair contractors who wish to register with the Development Services Department must create a free user account on the Oklahoma City Citizen Portal and complete the registration process online via this portal. Registrants are also typically expected to provide certain documentation, which includes:
- Proof of general liability insurance coverage
- Proof of workers' compensation insurance coverage or exemption, where applicable
- A notarized Contractor Information Sheet
- An Immigration Affidavit, where applicable
- Stipulated registration fees
Queries related to the Oklahoma City Development Services Department's residential building contractor registration process can be directed to (405) 297-2606. Note that garage door repair contractors who perform work that requires permits without first registering with the department or obtaining the necessary permits for the job can face misdemeanor charges. These charges carry penalties of up to $1,200 in fines, six months in jail, or a combination of both.
You should always confirm that your intended garage door repair contractor has complied with all necessary local regulatory requirements before starting any work on your home, and you can do this by contacting the Oklahoma City Development Services Department at (405) 297-2606.
You should also consider looking out for membership in reputable trade associations like the International Door Association and the Oklahoma Home Builders Association when searching for qualified garage door contractors in Oklahoma City. Trade associations typically offer their members access to a wide array of resources and also hold these members to high standards, all of which translate into better service delivery for consumers. Note that you should always confirm that your intended garage door contractor belongs to a trade association by requesting proof of this membership and contacting the association in question to authenticate this proof.
How Much Do You Charge Compared to Other Garage Door Repair Contractors in the City?
The cost of your required garage door services in Oklahoma City will largely be dependent on the following factors:
- The nature and scope of your required service
- The size, type, design, and style of the garage doors
- The cost of materials and components required for the job
- Your location within the city
- Your intended contractor's level of experience and local reputation
- The urgency of the job
- Overhead door finishes
- Labor and service charges
Many homeowners often make the mistake of hiring the first seemingly qualified contractor that they come in contact with to handle their garage door projects. However, getting and comparing rates from several contractors is advisable before making your final hiring decision. This way, you can get a fair idea of the actual market price for your intended project and, at the same time, protect yourself from dishonest garage door contractors who overcharge for their services. Nevertheless, this does not mean that you should automatically hire the contractor with the lowest rates. In fact, you should consider it a red flag if these rates are significantly lower than the others and the contractor cannot offer a justifiable reason for this price difference.
Garage door repair contractors in Oklahoma City earn an annual average wage of $36,630. The list below compares the hourly average wages of these contractors with those of garage door repair contractors in other major Oklahoma State cities as well as other locations across the country:
What Kind of Garage Door Services Do You Offer?
Professional garage door contractors typically offer interested Oklahoma City home and property owners several kinds of garage door services. While these services may vary in nature and scope, they usually fall under one of the following categories:
- New garage door installations and garage door replacements: garage door installations and replacements involve installing new garage doors in residential and commercial buildings in the city. The main distinction between these two services is that new garage door installations are typically carried out on newly constructed buildings and renovated homes that previously did not have a garage. On the other hand, garage door replacements involve taking out old or damaged garage doors that have already been installed in buildings and replacing them with newer, and often superior, models. Garage door installations and replacements typically cost between $250 and $4,000, depending on the size, type, style, and design of the garage door in question and how labor-intensive the job is. However, you can reduce costs on garage door replacements by repurposing old parts of your garage door. Before doing this, you should always get a go-ahead from a professional garage door contractor, as these old parts may not always be compatible with your new garage door system.
- Garage door repairs: garage door repair services involve identifying damages to garage doors, swapping out or fixing defective and damaged parts, and making sure that the garage door continues operating efficiently and safely. Some garage door issues that are commonly handled by professional garage door contractors in Oklahoma City include:
- Broken garage door springs
- Broken/faulty garage door rollers and hinges
- Damaged garage door frames and panels
- Faulty garage door tracks
- Noisy garage doors
- Snapped/faulty garage door cables
- Stuck garage doors
- Unbalanced/misaligned garage doors
It should be noted that in some situations, the severity of the damage to the garage door may require a full garage door replacement.
- Garage door maintenance: garage door maintenance services refer to services provided to ensure that garage doors continue to run properly and prevent them from breaking down unexpectedly due to wear and tear from regular use. Many professional garage door contractors in Oklahoma City offer garage door maintenance services, and residents of the city who sign up for these services are usually able to tailor the scope and frequency of the maintenance work to suit their particular needs. While the specific nature of the maintenance services offered by garage door contractors in the city may differ, they often consist of the following:
- Auto-reverse function testing
- Bottom seal and threshold seal assessments
- Garage door alignment balancing and adjusting
- Garage door inspections and tune-ups
- Garage door opener assessments
- Garage door weatherstripping
- Hardware tightening
- Motor rail inspections and motor setting adjustments
- Moving parts lubrication
- Safety sensor assessment and alignment
- Spring balance assessments
Note that even though professional garage door repair contractors in Oklahoma City are typically able to provide one or more of the aforementioned categories of garage door services, you should always verify your intended contractor's area of specialization before hiring them. Making sure that your garage door contractor's area of specialization matches your specific needs reduces your chances of receiving poor and unsatisfactory services and also saves you the stress and cost of hiring another contractor to re-do your project competently.
Cost estimates for frequently requested garage door services in Oklahoma City are provided below. Note that the actual cost of these services will depend on the specific nature and scope of your required services, your location within the city, and your preferred contractor's level of experience and local reputation:
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 Oklahoma City Building Code?
Per local regulations, permits are required for the construction, alteration, repair, or modification of primary or accessory structures in Oklahoma City, and garage door installations are typically included in these types of activities. Failing to obtain relevant permits before carrying out building and construction-related projects in the city is considered a misdemeanor offense and is punishable by fines of up to $1,200, jail time of up to six months, or both.
The Oklahoma City permit issuance process is handled by the city's Development Services Department, and applications for these permits can be submitted to the department online via the Oklahoma City Citizen Portal. Note that first-time applicants will be required to register a free user account on this portal before they can proceed with the application process.
The Development Services Department provides interested parties with a user guide that they can use to get assistance in navigating its permit application process. Applicants may be required to upload site plans, specifications, and other documents on this portal. The specific nature of these additional documents is usually determined by the nature and scope of the project in question. Once all relevant documents have been uploaded and necessary payments made, applicants will receive an email indicating that their applications have been successfully submitted and received by the department. Requested permits are typically issued after the submitted documents are reviewed and approved.
Additional information or queries concerning the permit issuance process for garage door projects in Oklahoma City can be directed to the Development Services Department at:
Development Center420 W Main Street
8th floor
Oklahoma City, OK 73102
Phone: (405) 297-2525
Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Mondays to Fridays
What Brands of Garage Doors Do You Work With?
A good way to determine a garage door contractor's suitability for your project is to find out which brands of garage doors they typically work with and make sure that these brands meet your specific needs. However, before deciding on the particular garage door brand, design, and style to use for your garage door installation or replacement project, you should always take the following features into account:
- Aesthetic appeal
- Availability of replacement parts
- Cost
- Durability
- Ease of maintenance
- Ease of operation
- Insulation/energy-efficiency
- Motor strength
- Safety
- Security
Using brands and models made by tried-and-true garage door manufacturers for your garage door installation and replacement projects in Oklahoma City is always a good idea. Some of these manufacturers include:
Garage doors from these manufacturers are generally constructed with a variety of high-quality materials, including, but not limited to, steel, wood, fiberglass, vinyl, composite wood, aluminum, and glass. These brands are also usually available in a wide range of styles and designs, such as:
- Carriage house double garage doors
- French-style garage doors
- Full-view garage doors
- Paneled garage doors
- Roller garage doors
- Sectional garage doors
- Side-hinged garage doors
- Side-sliding garage doors
- Tilt-up/Up-and-over canopy garage doors
- Tilt-up/Up-and-over retractable garage doors
Note that you may need to buy and install a garage door opener separately when installing these doors. These items are usually supplied separately due to their shorter lifespan, and they come in four main types, namely:
- Belt drive openers
- Chain drive openers
- Jackshaft openers
- Screw drive openers
Some popular garage door opener brands that are commonly used by residents of Oklahoma City include:
One advantage of hiring skilled garage door contractors for your projects is that they can help you effectively evaluate your particular living situation and unique needs before giving recommendations on the right garage door brands to install in your home.
Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Garage Door Repair Contractors in Oklahoma City?
Garage door repair contractors in Oklahoma City who wish to perform any work on private property that will require building permits are expected to carry general liability insurance with a minimum coverage of $50,000 per occurrence and workers' compensation insurance with a minimum of $100,000 per occurrence. However, even though these insurance requirements are only mandatory for residential garage work that requires permits, you should always ensure that your contractor is properly insured, regardless of the nature and scope of your intended project.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 460 garage door repair contractors reported work-related injuries in 2020 alone. Hiring a properly insured garage door repair contractor ensures that you are not held financially or legally liable for these injuries or other unforeseen events like property damage if they should occur during your project.
To this end, always confirm that your preferred garage door repair contractor has adequate insurance coverage before they commence work on your home or property. You can do this by requesting a copy of the contractor's insurance certificate and contacting the appropriate insurance provider to validate this certificate. You can also reach out to the Oklahoma City Development Services Department at (405) 297-2606 to get additional information on the insurance requirements for garage door repair contractors that provide residential services in the city.
How to File a Complaint Against a Bad Garage Door Contractor in the City
Consumer complaints in Oklahoma City are primarily handled at the state level by the Oklahoma Attorney General's Office, and you can file complaints against bad garage door contractors in the city with this office through its Consumer Protection Unit.
Every year, the Oklahoma Attorney General's Office processes thousands of complaints from consumers across the state over a wide range of matters, including construction and home improvement scams. Dishonest contractors constantly devise means to take advantage of unsuspecting homeowners in Oklahoma City, and as such, you should always take steps to safeguard from these con artists when searching for garage door services in the city. In 2020, the Oklahoma Attorney General's Office announced that it had filed charges against a contractor couple that had taken more than $313,000 from several consumers in the city by requesting payment for home improvement services that were never offered or completed.
The following tips can help ensure that you hire legitimate garage door contractors and avoid home improvement scams in Oklahoma City:
- Be wary of individuals who offer unsolicited garage door services
- Ask trusted friends and relatives for recommendations on reliable and experienced garage door contractors in the city. Alternatively, you can get referrals to these contractors online by accessing directories provided by organizations like the International Door Association and the Better Business Bureau
- Always get and compare rates for your project from at least three different garage door contractors
- Never hire garage door contractors who try to pressure you into making immediate decisions
- Avoid garage door contractors that do not have local physical addresses
- Always ask for references from your preferred garage door contractor and consider it a red flag if the contractor either cannot or is hesitant to provide you with at least three verifiable references
- Be wary of garage door contractors who ask you to pull permits yourself. You can find out the applicable permit requirements for your project by contacting the Oklahoma City Development Services Department at (405) 297-2525. You can also confirm whether your contractor is eligible to pull permits from this department by calling (405) 297-2606
- Be wary of garage door contractors who request full upfront payments and those who ask for substantial down payments before they begin any work, especially if they ask for this payment in cash. Never pay more than 10 – 20 percent of your project's total value upfront, and do not let subsequent payments get ahead of the work
- Make sure that you are given a written contract for the project before the garage door contractor starts any work. Review this contract thoroughly and ensure that you understand it clearly before signing it
- Make sure that you are satisfied with the completed project before making your final payment for the job
You can file complaints concerning bad garage door contractors, construction and home improvement scams, and other fraudulent business practices in Oklahoma City with the Consumer Protection Unit of the Oklahoma Attorney General's Office by submitting a Consumer Complaint Form to:
Oklahoma Attorney General's OfficeConsumer Protection Unit
313 NE 21st Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
This form, along with any relevant supporting documents, can also be submitted to the Consumer Protection Unit via email. Note that the subject of this email should read "Complaint." Queries related to the Oklahoma Attorney General's Office's consumer complaint submission and resolution process can be directed to its Consumer Protect Unit at (405) 521-2029 or toll-free number 1-833-681-1895.
If you feel dissatisfied with the complaint resolution provided by this office, you can take further action by filing a lawsuit against the garage door contractor with an appropriate division of the Oklahoma County District Court. Note that you should always seek proper legal advice before filing lawsuits or taking any type of court-related action. To this end, you can utilize the Find a Lawyer platform provided by the Oklahoma Bar Association to locate and consult with licensed and qualified attorneys who practice in the Oklahoma City area.
Table of Contents
- Are You Licensed to Practice as a Garage Door Repair Contractor in Oklahoma City?
- 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 Oklahoma City Building Code?
- What Brands of Garage Doors Do You Work With?
- Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Garage Door Repair Contractors in Oklahoma City?
- How to File a Complaint Against a Bad Garage Door Contractor in the City