Get Quotes from Top Garage Door Contractors in San Francisco, CA

Are You Licensed to Practice as a Garage Door Repair Contractor in San Francisco?

Garage door repair contractors that wish to bid for or work on projects worth $500 or more in San Francisco must have a C-61/D-28 - Doors, Gates, and Activating Devices Contractor License obtained from the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB). Performing projects worth $500 or more, cost of materials and labor inclusive, without this CSLB-issued contractor license is considered a misdemeanor offense and is punishable by fines of up to $15,000, jail time of up to six months, or a combination of both. Note that these penalties are for first offenses, and repeat offenders typically face even harsher sentences.

Certain eligibility requirements must be met before contractor licenses can be obtained from the CSLB, and these include:

• Being at least 18 years old
• Attaining at least four years of journeyman-level garage door-related work experience and providing acceptable documentation to verify this experience
• Completing and submitting an Application for Original Contractor License Form, along with a non-refundable application fee, to the board
• Passing a CSLB-administered licensing examination
• Providing proof of compliance with CSLB-mandated contractor bond and workers' compensation insurance requirements

You can get additional information on the CSLB's licensing requirements for San Francisco garage door repair contractors or confirm that your intended contractor has complied with these requirements by calling (800) 321-2752. You can also verify your garage door repair contractor's license status online via the board's Check a Contractor License portal.

How Much Do You Charge Compared to Other Garage Door Repair Contractors in the City?

When looking to undertake a garage door installation, repair, or maintenance project in San Francisco, the total cost of your project will be dependent on several factors, such as:

• The nature and scope of your required service
• The severity of the damage to your garage door
• The type, style, and design of the garage door
• The urgency of the job
• Your location within the city
• The garage door contractor's experience and local reputation
• Overhead door finishes
• Service charges

It is advisable to get and compare bids and quotes for your required garage door services from up to three garage door repair contractors in the city instead of hiring the first contractor that you come across. Doing this has several advantages, which include:

• You get an accurate assessment of the market price for the specific garage door services that you need
• You identify dishonest garage door repair contractors who overcharge for their services as well as those who deceitfully present low bids to trick unsuspecting homeowners into hiring them.

Keep in mind that you have to give each garage door repair contractor similar specifications for your required garage door services to ensure uniformity in the cost estimates that these contractors provide. Also, be suspicious of any garage door repair contractor who is eager to start working on your project without offering an estimate or completing an initial assessment of the project site.

Garage door repair contractors in San Francisco earn an annual average wage of $57,020. The list below compares the hourly average wages of these contractors with those of garage door repair contractors in other major California cities as well as other locations across the country:

What Kind of Garage Door Services Do You Offer?

Professional garage door contractors in San Francisco generally offer a wide range of services to interested parties in the city, and these services can be collectively grouped under four main categories:

• New garage door installations: New garage door installation services are typically offered to homeowners in San Francisco engaged in new construction projects and home improvement projects involving garage remodeling. This is usually the most expensive type of garage door service offered in the city, and its cost can range from $350 to $5,000, depending on the size, style, and design of the door to be installed, as well as how labor-intensive the project is.
• Garage door replacements: While garage door replacement services also involve the installation of new garage doors, these types of services are typically offered to homeowners who wish to trade in their existing garage doors and replace them with newer or better models. Although garage door replacements typically cost the same as new garage door installations, homeowners who request these services can reduce costs by reusing some components of their old garage doors. However, if you wish to do this, make sure that your garage door contractor confirms that the old components you want to reuse will be compatible with your new garage door system.
• Garage door repairs: garage door repair services involve fixing issues like damaged or malfunctioning garage doors, replacing broken and faulty components of these doors, and ultimately ensuring that the garage door functions safely and efficiently. It should be noted that a full garage door replacement might be necessary sometimes if the damage to the garage door you wish to repair is too severe. Common garage door repair services that homeowners in the city frequently request include:
  • Broken spring replacements
  • Faulty roller, hinge, and cable repairs and replacements
  • Damaged door panel and frame repair and replacement
  • Faulty track repair
  • Stuck garage door repairs
• Garage door maintenance: garage door maintenance is typically carried out to keep garage doors functioning optimally at all times and to prevent these doors from breaking down unexpectedly. Many garage door repair contractors in San Francisco offer homeowners in the city the option of signing up for these maintenance services. Note that the frequency and scope of the maintenance services that will be provided are dependent on the nature of the agreement reached between the homeowner and the garage door repair contractor. Nevertheless, these services usually include:
  • Garage door inspections and tune-ups
  • Spring balance assessments
  • Hardware tightening
  • Moving parts lubrication
  • Auto-reverse function and safety features assessment and testing
  • Garage door alignment balancing and adjusting
  • Garage door opener assessments
  • Motor rail inspections and motor setting adjustments
  • Bottom seal and threshold seal assessments
  • Garage door weatherstripping

Even though professional garage door contractors in the city are typically equipped to provide several types of garage door services, you should always confirm that your intended contractor is qualified to perform the precise kind of garage door work that you need. If you fail to confirm this before concluding your hiring agreements with the garage door contractor, you run the risk of receiving subpar service and ultimately wasting your time and money seeking a more capable professional to re-do the work.

Cost estimates for garage door services that homeowners in San Francisco commonly request are listed below. Note that factors like your location within the city, the specific nature of your required service, and your preferred contractor's experience and local reputation will determine 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 San Francisco Building Code?

According to Section 106A of the San Francisco Building Code, a permit is required to construct, alter, repair, and improve buildings and structures in the city. Garage door installations and replacements typically fall under these categories of activities, and permits for garage door-related projects can be obtained from the San Francisco Department of Building Inspection (SFDBI).

The SFDBI typically issues permits to state-licensed contractors, property owners, or agents that have been authorized by either of these parties. Eligible parties that wish to obtain a building permit from this department will be required to submit a properly completed Application for Building Permit Additions, Alterations, or Repairs (Building Form 3/8) to:

Note that the submission of architectural plans is usually not required for garage door replacement projects. Nevertheless, applicants are advised to contact the San Francisco Planning Center at (628) 652-7300 to find out if any additional forms and documents may be required.

Once the permit application, along with any necessary additional documents and fees, has been submitted to the SFDBI, it will be reviewed by this department and other relevant city agencies before the requested building permit is issued. It is important to note that building and construction-related projects in San Francisco are generally subject to inspections by the SFDBI's Housing Inspection Services Division to ensure that the work being done conforms to relevant local building codes and regulations.

You can contact the SFDBI at (628) 652-3200 or via email to get additional information on its permit-issuing process for garage door projects. Queries related specifically to the inspection of building and construction projects in the city can also be directed to the SFDBI's Housing Inspection Services Division at (628) 652-3700.

What Brands of Garage Doors Do You Work With?

Finding out the garage door brands that a garage door contractor frequently works with and confirming that these doors fit your specific requirements is an important step in assessing whether the contractor is suited for the task at hand. Many garage door brands are made from materials like steel, wood, composite wood, aluminum, glass, fiberglass, and vinyl. These garage doors are also usually available in a number of designs, styles, and operating mechanisms, 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

When going through your options of available garage doors to install in your home, it is always a good idea to choose brands manufactured by well-known and reputable garage door manufacturers like:

Note that you might also need to purchase a garage door opener separately when installing new garage doors in your home. Similar to garage doors, these garage door openers come in several brands and designs, and they typically utilize four main operating mechanisms, namely:

• Belt drive openers
• Chain drive openers
• Jackshaft openers
• Screw drive openers

Some common brands and models of garage door openers that homeowners in San Francisco use for their garage door systems include:

A good way to narrow down your options when searching for suitable garage doors and garage door openers is by comparing the following features in relation to each brand, make, and model that you are considering:

• Aesthetic appeal
• Availability of replacement parts
• Cost
• Durability
• Ease of maintenance
• Ease of operation
• Insulation/energy-efficiency
• Motor strength
• Safety
• Security

An advantage of hiring professional garage door contractors is that, in addition to ensuring that your garage door is properly and safely installed, they expertly assess these features alongside your unique requirements to help you select a suitable garage door system for your home.

Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Garage Door Repair Contractors in San Francisco?

An important criterion to look out for before hiring a garage door repair contractor in San Francisco is the contractor's insurance status. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 10 percent of the work-related injuries that were reported in the United States in 2020 occurred in California alone. In situations where you retain the services of an uninsured contractor, you will be held liable if this contractor sustains any injuries on your property. Similarly, you will have to cover the cost of any property damages caused by the contractor during the work.

Per state law, garage door repair contractors must inform homeowners whether or not they carry general liability insurance before performing work on or in their homes. The California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) also mandates that these contractors maintain a surety bond of $15,000 and carry workers' compensation insurance for their employees, if any.

Always confirm your garage door repair contractor's insurance status before reaching any hiring agreements with them. Make sure that the contractor not only carries general liability insurance but that this insurance will adequately cover any injuries and property damage that may occur during your project. You can do this by requesting a copy of the contractor's insurance certificate and contacting their insurance provider to authenticate the certificate. You can also reach out to the CSLB at (800) 321-2752 to get more information on the mandatory bond and insurance requirements that contractors in San Francisco must comply with before operating in the city.