Get Quotes from Top Garage Door Contractors in Nashville, TN
Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Garage Door Contractor in Nashville
A well-maintained garage door may be one of the best investments in the security, appeal, and resale value of your property. Typically, homeowners in big cities like Nashville get back almost 100 percent of the money spent on a good garage door.
Additionally, such investment forestalls liabilities arising from common injuries associated with delayed repairs of a malfunctioning garage door. Every year, over 20,000 garage door injuries are reported in the US with many of these resulting in emergency room visits. As such, it is best to promptly call a garage door contractor in the city with the right tools and training to repair and maintain your door correctly.
Ask the following questions to make sure you choose a Nashville garage door repair expert who is qualified, competent, and can provide services that comply with federal garage door safety standards:
- Are You Licensed to Practice as a Garage Door Repair Contractor in Nashville?
- 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 Nashville Building Code?
- What Brands of Garage Doors Do You Work With?
- Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Garage Door Repair Contractors in Nashville?
- 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 Nashville?
To practice as a garage door contractor in Nashville, a professional needs to obtain a home improvement license, if the cost of the project is between $3,000 and $24,999, or a general contractor license if the cost is $25,000 and above. Both licenses are issued by the Tennesse Department of Commerce and Insurance's Board of Licensing Contractors. It is however important to note that typical garage door projects fall under home improvement.
Applicants must fill out and submit the home improvement contractor license application form in order to apply for a home improvement license. The two-year home improvement license application fee is $250.00, payable to the State of Tennessee. A form for attestation of eligibility verification must be completed by applicants.
Additionally, candidates must include $10,000 in financial responsibility documentation. Keep in mind that the entity named on the bond — if it's a corporation or LLC — should match the name on the registration with the Secretary of State because the license is issued in that name. Additional requirements include proof of general liability and workers' compensation.
Nashville classifies operating without a license as a Class A misdemeanor, which carries a maximum $5,000 fine per offense. Use the Department of Commerce and Insurance's Public Search tool to check that the contractor you wish to hire has the necessary licenses. Contact the Tennessee Board of License Contractors at (800) 544-7693 for more details about garage door contractor licensing in Nashville, or stop by their office at:
Board of Licensing Contractors500 James Robertson Parkway,
Nashville, TN 37243
How Much Do You Charge Compared to Other Garage Door Repair Contractors in the City?
The degree of the damage, the garage door's style and design, the kind of material used to build it, the finishes on overhead doors, the amount of work required for the job, and your unique location within the city all have a significant impact on the price of garage door repairs in Nashville.
It is in your best interest to get and compare quotes from several garage door repair experts in the neighborhood before deciding who to choose. Once you clearly understand how much each item costs, carefully examine these bids. This protects you from being taken advantage of by dishonest garage repair door professionals while enabling you to obtain a reliable estimate of the going rate for your necessary repair services. Make sure you clearly describe the details of the project to these firms when requesting pricing estimates. Don't just hire the contractor with the lowest bid, either. Examine the reasons for their lower prices, and keep an eye out for other details like their specialization and license status.
Garage door repair contractors in Nashville earn an annual average wage of $51,210. The list below compares the hourly average wages of these contractors with those of garage door repair contractors in other major Tennessee cities as well as other locations across the country:
What Kind of Garage Door Services Do You Offer?
Nashville residents commonly hire garage door repair companies in the city to perform a variety of services. These services are divided into four sections including:
- Garage Door Installation: New garage doors and garage door openers are installed as part of the garage door installation service. These services are typically needed by people moving into newly built homes, homeowners doing home renovations, and people looking to replace their outdated garage doors and garage door openers. Depending on the garage door's size, shape, design, and material, a new installation in Nashville might cost anywhere from $800 to $1,200, including labor.
- Garage Door Replacement: This service is comparable to installing a new door in that it entails fixing a broken door or a malfunctioning portion of the door opening system. The cost of materials and labor may remain the same as for a completely new installation. Depending on the brand of new garage door you're installing, you might be able to save money by reusing some of the old components, such as the openers or rails. However, before recycling other parts, verify that they are appropriate for the new garage door by speaking with your contractor.
- Garage Door Repair: This service involves ensuring that garage doors run without a hitch and resolving any problems that can hinder their efficient operation. Some of Nashville's most popular garage door repair services are the ones listed below:
- Auto-reverse testing
- Bent/broken garage door track repairs
- Broken garage door cable repairs
- Broken garage door spring repairs
- Broken or loose hinges
- Broken or loose rollers
- Damaged garage door panel replacements
- Door frame damage
- Door panel damage
- Moving parts lubrication
- Roller inspections and replacements
- Safety sensor alignments
- Garage Door Maintenance:Â Under maintenance services, the technician inspects the garage door for damage, lubricates its moving parts, and performs any of the following tasks:
- Assess door openers
- Assess loose hinges and roller guides
- Assess proper spring balance
- Assess safety sensors
- Check the automatic reverse function
- Check the weather seals
- Check worn rollers and loosen tracks
Before entering into any agreements with a garage door repair company, be sure they provide the precise garage door services you require and the necessary tools and expertise. The likelihood that the task will be completed successfully the first time increases as a result of your due diligence, reducing the need to hire a more qualified contractor after the money has been spent on what turned out to be a horrible job.
The prices for the most popular garage door services in Nashville typically fall within the following categories. Keep in mind that the fee you will actually pay for these services will depend on the particular type and breadth of the service, as well as your location within the city:
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 Nashville Building Code?
Before starting any sizeable home renovation projects in Nashville, homeowners are required to get a building permit from the Department of Codes and Building Safety. Your home improvement project will be in compliance with all local building requirements if you have a permit. With that in mind, you might not need to apply for a building permit, depending on the extent of the improvement you intend to make. For instance, regular maintenance fixes won't need a permit, but installing a new garage door in your house will.
When applying for a building permit, you must include the project's cost and, if possible, the general contractor's name. Additionally required are your contact information and the location of the project. A site plan and project visualizations might not be necessary for garage door repairs. Once all of these requirements have been completed by email, you will receive a confirmation email confirming your appointment to meet with a zoning examiner to begin the building permit application. Your permit should arrive soon after that.
If you have inquiries on permits required for garage door projects in Nashville, contact the Nashville Department of Codes and Building Safety at:
800 2nd Avenue South,Nashville, TN 37210,
Phone: (615) 862-6590
What Brands of Garage Doors Do You Work With?
Before deciding on which prospective garage door repair contractor is best for your garage door job, it's critical to be aware of the types and brands of garage doors that they specialize in. Steel, aluminum, fiberglass, wood composite, vinyl, and wood are the most typical materials utilized to create garage doors in Nashville. Additionally, they come in a range of styles and opening choices, such as:
- Carriage house double garage doors
- French-style 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
Experienced garage door repair specialists in Nashville often assess your particular living arrangement before recommending the appropriate type of garage door for your home. However, the following factors must always be taken into account when making this decision:
- Aesthetic appeal
- Cost
- Ease of maintenance
- Insulation/energy-efficiency
- Longevity
- Motor strength
- Safety
- Security
No matter what kind of garage door you want for your home, it is important always to consider brands made by reputable and long-standing garage door manufacturers, such as:
The type and quality of the garage door opener you install will have a significant impact on how effective your garage door will be, which is another vital consideration. These openers are normally offered individually and can be altered to meet the specific needs of your home. Some well-known manufacturers of premium garage door openers include:
Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Garage Door Repair Contractors in Nashville?
In only 2020, at least 460 mechanical door repairers sustained job injuries, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. If these accidents happen while working on your garage door and your contractor is not insured, you could be held liable and that could mean you parting ways with a lot of money. The same goes for any negative work-related situations like property damage or contractor mistakes. In order to determine whether or not your prospective garage door repair company is suitable for your job, it is essential to check their insurance status.
Home improvement contractors in Nashville who are officially licensed are required to carry general liability coverage of at least $100,000 to be completely insured. However, note that many insurance companies may have a minimum starting at $300,000. Additionally, all employees of contractors must be covered by worker compensation insurance. They may be granted an exemption from coverage as the owner if they are registered as sole proprietors, partnerships, or LLCs, have no employees, and do not use subcontractors.
Any reputable garage door repair company in Nashville should be able to provide proof of insurance, and you should double-check this paperwork with the relevant insurance and bonding companies.
How to File a Complaint Against a Bad Garage Door Contractor in the City
The primary center for consumer complaints against unfair or dishonest activities or practices carried out by garage door contractors in Nashville is the Tennessee Office of the Attorney General's Division of Consumer Affairs.
Nashville residents frequently complain about subpar and dishonest home improvement services. According to the Tennessee Attorney General's Office's Consumer Affairs Division, home improvement scams were the most often reported complaints to the state in 2021. To avoid falling prey to one of these scams, be aware of contractors who:
- Claim they stopped by because they were nearby.
- Use intimidation to force you to work with them on a project.
- Claim they can offer a lesser price because they have additional material; this could suggest they overpaid a previous customer or didn't complete the work.
- Seek upfront payment or offer financing from a credible lender
- Make time-limited offers that compel you to hire them immediately in order to save money.
- Suggest, in any way or form, that a contract is not required.
The following guidelines can help you avoid scams with Nashville garage door repair:
- Consult the International Door Association for reliable contractors, and look up any complaints about a possible hire with the Better Business Bureau.
- Enquire about past clients and make sure to carefully ask these past clients questions, such as whether the project was completed on schedule and whether any additional expenditures arose. Inquire about a job that is being done right now.
- Request official quotations from many contractors, then compare them before approving any work.
- Before you spend any money or begin any work, get a valid contract. Read the small print carefully for a detailed description of the job, material costs, start and end dates, and warranty information.
- Before making the last payment, ensure everything related to the job is in order again.
- The lowest offer should never be chosen. If one contractor's estimate is much lower than that of competitors, find out why. Some contractors cut corners in order to undercut their competition.
- Do not leave the contractor in charge of your financial arrangements. Scammers may try to get you to take out a reverse mortgage or home equity loan so you can pay for repairs, but since the lender would pay them directly, they won't have much motivation to finish the job or do it well.
- Call the Contractor's Board at (615) 741-8307 or send an email to inquire about a contractor's complaints and disciplinary history.
- Instead of paying with cash, use a check or credit card, as it is easier to challenge these payment methods in the event of a scam.
- Make a little down payment. The down payment, which must not be more than one-third of the estimate, must be made on the day the materials are delivered.
To report dishonest or unqualified garage door repair companies and garage door repair scams in Nashville, contact the Tennessee Attorney General's Office Division of Consumer Affairs by calling (615) 741-4737 or by filing an online complaint. You can also visit their office at:
Tennessee Division of Consumer AffairsTennessee Attorney General's Office
500 James Robertson Parkway
Suite 5,
Nashville, TN 37243
Table of Contents
- Are You Licensed to Practice as a Garage Door Repair Contractor in Nashville?
- 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 Nashville Building Code?
- What Brands of Garage Doors Do You Work With?
- Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Garage Door Repair Contractors in Nashville?
- How to File a Complaint Against a Bad Garage Door Contractor in the City