Get Quotes from Top Garage Door Contractors in New York City, NY

Are You Licensed to Practice as a Garage Door Repair Contractor in New York City?

There are no specific occupational licenses issued to garage door repair contractors in New York City. However, individuals or businesses that perform activities involving the construction, repair, remodeling, alteration, or improvement of residential structures in NYC are statutorily required to possess a city-issued Home Improvement Contractor License. Parties that violate this licensing law are considered guilty of a misdemeanor offense and can receive penalties of up to $1,000 in fines, six months in jail, or a combination of both.

NYC home improvement contractor licenses are issued by the city's Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP), and garage door repair contractors who wish to obtain these licenses may do so by applying to the department online. Applications for DCWP-issued licenses can also be made in person by submitting a completed Basic License Application Form to the department at any of the following locations:

Applicants who choose the in-person submission option are required to schedule an appointment with the DCWP before visiting any of the aforementioned locations. This appointment can be scheduled via email or by calling (212) 436-0441. Note that applicants must meet certain requirements before they can obtain DCWP-issued home improvement contractor licenses, which include:

• They must pay all stipulated fees.
• They must pass a DCWP-administered licensing examination
• They must provide proof of acceptable insurance coverage
• They must provide proof of compliance with local tax requirements
• They must provide proof of their home and business addresses

It should be noted that DCWP-licensed garage door repair contractors who wish to perform any work that requires a permit may also be required to either register as General Contractors or obtain a Safety Registration Number from the NYC Department of Buildings (DOB). This can be done online via the city's DOB: NOW platform, and the DOB provides interested registrants with a user guide that can be used to get step-by-step details on how to go about the registration process. Note that these registrants must also meet eligibility criteria that include, but are not limited to:

• Being no less than 18 years old
• Paying all applicable registration fees
• Passing a background check
• Providing proof of adequate insurance coverage
• Submitting a valid government-issued photo ID

Additional information on the licensing and registration requirements for NYC garage door repair contractors can be directed to the DCWP and DOB at (212) 639-9675 and (212) 393-2259, respectively.

Ensuring that your intended garage door repair contractor complies with all regulatory licensing and registration requirements is an important step in hiring a contractor. To this end, the DCWP provides a Citizen Access Portal that you can use to verify that your garage door repair contractor holds a valid Home Improvement Contractor license. Similarly, you can use the DOB's registrant search portal to confirm that your contractor has been appropriately registered by this department and is eligible to pull all necessary permits for your project.

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

When searching for garage door repair services in NYC, you should always consider getting and comparing rates for your required services from at least three different contractors in the city before making your final hiring choice. This way, you can get a fair estimate of how much you can expect to pay for the project and also avoid hiring fraudulent contractors that overcharge unsuspecting consumers. Professional garage door repair contractors in NYC typically consider the following variables when calculating their rates:

• The nature and extent of the damage to the garage door
• The garage door style and design
• The garage door material
• The amount of labor required for the job
• Overhead door finishes
• Your location within the city

Note that you should not automatically hire the garage door repair contractor that offers the lowest rates. In fact, you should be cautious of contractors with significantly lower rates than the others and always request an explanation for this. Finally, ensure that the contractor you hire is properly licensed, experienced, and well-equipped.

Garage door repair contractors in New York City earn an annual average wage of $54,470. The list below compares the hourly average wages of these contractors with those of garage door repair contractors in other major New York State cities as well as other locations across the country:

What Kind of Garage Door Services Do You Offer?

Finding out the kinds of garage door services your preferred garage door repair contractor is equipped to offer is an important step to take in determining their suitability for the task. Professional NYC garage door repair contractors typically offer services to interested parties in the city, from garage door installations to faulty garage door spring replacements and roller inspections. These services can be broadly grouped into the following categories:

• New Garage Door Installation Services: these types of garage door services involve the installation of garage doors and garage door openers in newly constructed or freshly remodeled homes. New garage door installations can cost you anywhere between $500 - $5,000, labor and material costs inclusive. New garage door installation services are commonly requested by homeowners moving into new homes as well as those looking to remodel and sell their homes.
• Garage Door Replacement Services: the key difference between garage door replacement services and new garage door installation services is that garage door replacements focus on installing garage doors in buildings where one already existed before. These services are typically requested by homeowners and property managers with faulty garage doors or those looking to save costs by reusing older parts of their existing garage door system. However, for safety reasons, you should always discuss with your garage door repair contractor to make sure that these older parts are compatible with the replacement door.
• Garage Door Repair Services: garage door repair services involve fixing faulty parts of garage doors and servicing these doors to ensure their smooth and efficient operation. Common types of garage door services usually requested by homeowners and property managers in New York City include:
  • Broken garage door spring and cable repairs and replacements
  • Damaged door panel and door frame repairs and replacements
  • Bent/broken garage door track repairs and replacements
  • Broken/loose rollers and hinges repairs and replacements
  • Auto-reverse testing
  • Safety sensor alignments
• Garage Door Maintenance Services: some professional NYC garage door repair contractors offer interested parties the option of signing up for regular maintenance services to inspect their garage doors, check for faults or damages, and lubricate moving parts of the door. These types of services are usually helpful in preventing garage door-related accidents and ensuring that these doors operate as intended. Examples of actions taken during these garage door maintenance services include:
  • Spring balancing
  • Hinge and roller guide assessments
  • Moving part lubrications
  • Auto-reverse testing
  • Door opener assessments
  • Safety sensor assessments and alignments
  • Auto-reverse function assessments
  • Weather seal assessments

Confirming that your preferred garage door repair contractor offers the specific type of garage door service that you require goes a long way towards ensuring that your project is handled competently the first time out. This also limits the occurrence of service-related disagreements between you and the contractor down the line.

Listed below are cost estimates for commonly requested garage door services in NYC. Note that factors like the nature and scope of the job and your location within the city affect 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 New York City Building Code?

According to Article 105 of the New York City Construction Codes, a permit must be obtained for the construction, alteration, repair, or change in use or occupancy of buildings and structures in NYC. Garage door installations and replacements typically fall under this category of activities. However, permit exemptions may be made for minor alteration and repair of garage door work that does not affect the fire or structural safety of the building where the garage door in question is installed.

Permits for garage door installations and replacements in New York City are issued by the NYC Department of Buildings (DOB). These permits are broadly classified into New Building (NB) permits or Alteration (ALT) permits, with ALT permits further sub-classified into ALT1, ALT2, and ALT3 groups based on the scope of alteration to be done and the extent of effect it will have on the building's use, egress, or occupancy. Applications for DOB-issued permits can be made by taking the following steps:

• Determining the types of permits needed for the project
• Filing a permit application online via the DOB NOW: Build platform. Note that first-time applicants will be required to create a user account. The DOB provides resources that can be used to get assistance in navigating this platform
• Paying all stipulated fees and submitting all necessary forms and documents, such as relevant building drawings and construction plans. Note that these drawings and plans typically have to be prepared by state-licensed professional engineers or state-registered architects.

Permits are usually issued once these steps have been completed and the submitted documents are reviewed and approved, after which the work can commence. Note that this work must be done per all relevant provisions of the NYC Construction Codes, and the DOB conducts inspections of permitted projects to enforce this. Permit applicants are usually provided details of any inspections required for their projects, and they will be required to schedule these inspections when necessary via the DOB NOW: Inspections platform. The DOB typically issues a Certificate of Occupancy or Letter of Completion after these inspections are completed to indicate the project's official completion.

You can contact the DOB at (212) 566-5000 to get additional information on its permitting, inspection process, and requirements for garage door installation and replacement projects. You can also get this information by reaching out to your local DOB Borough Office via the following contact details:

What Brands of Garage Doors Do You Work With?

In addition to confirming your garage door repair contractor's area of specialization, you should also find out the brands of garage doors that they have experience working with. Some tried and trusted garage door brands patronized by residents of New York City for their homes and property include:

These doors are made from a variety of materials, including wood, steel, aluminum, composite, vinyl, and fiberglass, and are typically available in several types of designs and operating mechanisms, such as:

• Sectional garage doors
• Roll-up garage doors
• Tilt-up/Up-and-over canopy garage doors
• Tilt-up/Up-and-over retractable garage doors
• Side-hinged garage doors
• Slide to side garage doors

When deciding on the best garage door brand, design, or operating mechanism to select for your garage door installation or replacement project, you should always take the following features into account:

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

Finally, it should be noted that the type and quality of the garage door opener you install with your garage door will go a long way in affecting its operability and efficiency. Some popular, high-quality, and customizable garage door opener brands that are usually recommended by professional garage door repair contractors in NYC include:

Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Garage Door Repair Contractors in New York City?

A total of 59 fatal occupational injuries were recorded in NYC in 2020. Approximately seven percent of these fatalities were attributed to deaths among city installation, maintenance, and repair workers. Hiring properly insured garage door repair contractors protects you financially and legally from the liabilities typically associated with these work-related injuries and other issues like property damage and uncompleted jobs.

To this end, garage door repair contractors in New York City who are licensed by the NYC DCWP are required to post a surety bond of $20,000 and also carry workers' compensation insurance for their employees. These contractors must also maintain general liability insurance with a minimum coverage of $1,000,000 per occurrence and disability insurance coverage where necessary before they can register with the NYC DOB.

Before finalizing hiring arrangements, always request copies of their insurance and bond certificates and validate these documents with the appropriate issuing organization. Also, make sure that the contractor's insurance limits are enough for the scope of your project.

Additional information on the mandatory insurance and bond requirements for garage door repair contractors in NYC can be obtained by contacting the city's Department of Consumer and Worker Protection and Department of Buildings at (212) 639-9675 and (212) 566-5000, respectively.