How to Price a Garage Door Repair Job - What to Know

The process of pricing garage door repairs accurately is almost the same as you would follow in other industries. However, there are specific factors you won't see in other kinds of projects. Emergency services are an example of that.

Fair pricing is the difference between getting many clients or not finding any. People will always go with the company that offers them the best deal. This doesn't mean being the most affordable option online but the one that has the better quality-price balance.

Dive into this page to learn everything you need to know to set the right garage door repair costs. With them, you will find qualified clients and earn the profit you deserve for your job. Our team can also help when thinking about how to price a solar installation job.

How to Price a Repair - Garage Door Quoting Steps

It's difficult to price garage door repair services if you don't know which factors are involved in that process. Things are not as simple as checking what your competitors offer and asking for a more affordable price. There are specific steps you should follow to get to the perfect estimate for a project.

We have the perfect guide for you to use in these situations. If you follow all the steps stated below, you will have the right estimate for the garage door repairs your clients need.

1. Understand the Scope of the Repair

Not all projects are equally difficult or take the same amount of time to be finished. If you want to get an accurate estimate, start by understanding the true scope of the repair. This includes identifying the problem and the required solution.

There are common repairs you will get often. These are some examples:

• Replacement of garage door springs

• Cable repairs

• Panel replacement

• Track adjustment

• Sensor repair

• Opener repair

If the problem is related to the springs, you may need to install torsion or extension alternatives. Cable repairs often come from frayed or snapped components. Garage door openers malfunction when the motor, gears, or remotes need replacement.

Each problem and garage door style will require different techniques and materials for you to repair them. The bigger the issue is, the more you can charge to solve the situation.

2. Estimate Material Costs

Depending on the project, you will spend a significant part of your budget on the materials you will use. Sometimes, clients don't need a repair that takes a lot of time, but the job becomes highly expensive because of the tools you need to do it.

Try to look for a distributor that offers garage door parts for a good price. You can make different pricing plans depending on the brand you pick for the materials. Show clients the pros and cons of each option and let them choose.

Regardless of that, we never recommend using low-quality tools just because they are more affordable. Even if clients pick the cheapest option, they will be dissatisfied with your services if their garage door malfunctions because you used the wrong materials for the repair.

Among the parts contractors generally use, these are the most common prices you will find on the market:

• Springs: $50-$150 each

• Cables: $15-$40

• Panels: $200-$500 per panel

• Tracks: $50-150

• Opener components: $50-$200

Before giving the estimate, go to the client's house or business and assess the garage door material as well. The model they have may require you to use specific parts.

3. Consider Labor Costs

Labor costs are the next step of the process. They will always vary depending on your expertise and where you provide your services. Generally, rates range from $50-$150 per hour. Your reputation as a contractor should also be a factor to consider.

Calculate how long the repair will take. Include travel time here. Complex tasks, such as spring replacements, are finished in one to three hours. Simpler projects will be done quickly.

Regardless of the knowledge you have on the matter, you should analyze if the specific service the client needs requires an additional or specialized level of expertise. If it does, you can charge more for it, even if doing the job doesn't take much time.

The number of technicians that work on a project will change the pricing of the job. Whether you hire a second person for safety or efficiency, you will need to pay them.

4. Keep Overhead Costs in Mind

Although business owners are often hesitant to charge overhead costs when they start to work, they are fundamental for any kind of company. You can't keep providing your services if you don't make enough money to stay in business.

Overhead costs are not part of your profits, and you don't use them for the project. However, they are still as important as the others. The perfect example of that is travel expenses, such as fuel and vehicle maintenance.

Include the tools and equipment you use for most of your projects. We are not talking about the materials you will buy for that job but the ones you constantly have at hand.

Don't forget about insurance, licenses, and certifications. The same happens with marketing and administrative expenses.

Most contractors calculate overhead as a percentage of the total cost of a job. If you, for example, are hired to repair sectional garage doors, and the price of the project is $600, you can take 20% off the business.

5. Research Regional Pricing

We recommend you research regional pricing to check what your competitors are offering. If a contractor charges $400 for a simple wood garage door repair, you can see if you can tone it down to $350.

Simple jobs often cost $150-$600. However, complex projects, such as fully replacing automatic garage doors, can go over $1,000. Visit your competitors' websites to check their pricing plans or use customer inquiries for the matter.

Client reviews and pricing comparisons online will show what people are willing to pay for repairs. If someone says they paid $500 for a small repair, you already know you can go over that to take care of the entire door.

Remember to include your profit as part of the quote. This should be a percentage of the total price of the project, just like you would do with overhead costs. For more ideas, consider websites for garage door repair.

6. Offer Different Pricing Tiers

Clients like it when you let them choose between different options. It's a great feature for businesses to offer pricing plans tailored to fit every budget. Here is what it could look like:

• Basic Repair: Workers will use standard parts.

• Premium Repair: Workers will use high-quality parts and offer additional services, such as extended warranties.

• Emergency Repairs: 24/7 emergency services.

When it comes to emergencies, charge more for after-hours services. If someone asks you for help because their new garage door is malfunctioning at midnight, you can help them, but they must be willing to pay what that is worth.

7. Show Detailed Quotes

The quotes you give your customers should be as detailed as possible. Be clear and transparent with them, there's no need to sugarcoat the price. You know why you are charging that price, and this process is just to let them know as well.

To save time, many contractors have a template ready to fill out with the information of the project. You will be able to use this whether you are working on steel doors, a three-car garage, or any other kind of job.

8. Add a Fee for Emergency or Same-day Repairs

Urgent repairs are common when working with garage doors. It's common for clients to have problems if they live in an area with frequent extreme weather.

Charge additional labor fees for same-day services. This should apply to all cases, from fixing broken springs to a full replacement of the garage door. We recommend a 15-30% markup.

For immediate availability, ask for flat call-out fees. They could range from $50 to $100. Clients will understand this, as what they want is to get out of their ordeal as soon as possible.

Setting repairs such as spring or track repair aside, you can offer to install modern safety features as one of your services. It's ideal for contractors to cover as much field as possible.

9. Include Maintenance Packages

Maintenance packages are a great option for many customers and contractors. It boosts revenue and helps clients stay safe all year. If repairs for steel doors range from $100 to $400, you can charge $30 for monthly inspections, for example.

Do you have a client with a one-panel garage door? Schedule semi-annual inspections and lubrication.

More complex repairs are too expensive for many people. If someone needs a lot of work on their garage door, you can give them a discount for making more frequent inspections.

Conclusion

Having a problem with your garage door is dangerous. This affects home security, curb appeal, and the value of your property. That's why many customers are willing to pay high repair costs for extensive repairs. This can be used to your advantage when determining how to price a painting job.

As a technician, your main priority should be to help your customers. Offer them the best deal possible and they will remain loyal to your company. Research as much as you can about regional prices. You can't charge someone repairing carriage doors what they would pay for other options.

Do you want to provide your customers with the best estimate possible? Follow the steps you read on this page. If you are looking for similar blog posts, there are many more on our website.