7 Powerful Reasons to Hire a Licensed Garage Door Repair Company

One of the most crucial elements of home security and convenience is the garage door. A garage door should never be repaired without using a licensed garage door repair company. These companies have been certified as meeting certain requirements and regulations by your state. Additionally, they have bonding and insurance requirements to protect you from liability. The following are seven advantages to always hiring a licensed garage door repair company:

1. Compliance with the Law: All licensed garage door repair companies meet local and state regulations. When licensed garage door repair companies are employed, they obtain the necessary permits and perform their work in accordance with building codes, which makes their repairs both legal and at a professional level. Their compliance with regulations means that you will not incur any fines or have to re-do jobs in the future.
   

2. Expertise and Training: Licensed garage door repair companies employ trained employees who have passed both written and practical examinations. These workers are equipped to deal with complex systems; they understand how to use the proper tools and quickly identify the cause of issues. Their training and experience allow them to complete repairs more quickly and accurately than an untrained handyman would.
   

3. Insurance and Bonding: Most reputable licensed garage door repair companies carry liability insurance and are frequently bonded. This means that if a worker is injured or your equipment is damaged during a repair, you will not be required to pay for the medical expenses of the worker or the cost of repairing the equipment. Bonding also provides a guarantee to you that the work will be completed; if there is a closure of the company, the bond will provide you with compensation for your loss.
   

4. Guarantees and Warranties: Licensed garage door companies will support and stand behind the quality of their repair services.Parts and Labor Warranty: The majority of licensed contractors offer warranties on parts and labor that cover any failure that occurs during the time period of this warranty (typically 12 months). These warranties provide customers with the assurance that if something goes wrong within this time frame, the contractor will take care of it at no additional cost. This also gives the contractor a strong incentive to do the best possible job and provide the customer with peace of mind.
   

5. Licensed Contractor Accountability: A licensed contractor is registered with the appropriate state or local regulatory bodies (e.g., the State Board of Contractors in Arizona) and therefore must operate under certain professional standards. As such, if any problems arise regarding the contractor's work, you may have recourse through these regulatory agencies. Conversely, unlicensed contractors have no such oversight from any agency, making it more difficult to resolve issues and seek compensation for damages caused by faulty workmanship.
   

6. Safe Equipment and Tools: Licensed contractors perform garage door repairs & installations with the proper equipment and tools to complete them while adhering to safety regulations and guidelines. Garage doors are often very heavy due to their design, as well as having high amounts of tension on them due to the way they function, and can thus be extremely dangerous if not handled correctly. One particular component, torsion springs, store an enormous amount of energy and can cause serious injury if they are released inappropriately. In addition, garage door openers have to be adjusted so that they work safely; otherwise, there is a chance for damaging property and/or injuring someone. Licensed garage door technicians will know exactly how to handle and control these dangers; therefore, they will greatly reduce the chances of someone being injured or property being damaged. Additionally, garage door technicians utilize tools that have been specially designed for spring adjustment of the garage door, alignment of garage door tracks, and installation and adjustment of garage door openers, which will ensure smooth, safe and long-lasting garage doors.
   

7. Long-Term Value: When you hire a licensed garage door repair company, you protect both your investment and the resale value of your home. Licensed garage door repair technicians are certified professionals who perform quality work. Therefore, properly performed repairs can last longer and keep your garage door operating smoothly. As a result, you do not have to deal with recurring garage door problems and can be confident that your garage door was repaired by a qualified garage door technician.

How to Verify a Garage Door Company’s License

Before hiring a garage door contractor, it is essential to confirm that the contractor is licensed. Contact the contractor and ask for their license number and insurance/bonding verification.Most states have contractor licensing boards that allow you to check your state's contractors.

In California, for example, you can search the CSLB by license number or business name to confirm validity and ensure the company is truly local - not using a fake address.

Legitimate companies will display their contractor's license on their websites, advertisements, and often their vehicles. If a company hesitates to provide you with proof of a contractor's license or when you check their license status and find out that the license is expired or invalid then that should be considered a red flag and you should look for another company.

The Dangers of Unlicensed Garage Door Repairs

If you hire someone who is unlicensed to perform repairs on your garage door, you run the risk of experiencing many problems. Unlicensed technicians do not typically have proper training and typically do not carry insurance. If you were to have an untrained technician cause damage or injury while working on your garage door, you may be responsible for the costs associated with fixing the damage.

Unlicensed technicians do not typically follow building codes and safety regulations leading to accidents and poor repairs. Without a license, you have no warranty on your garage repairs, which means if a problem arises, you have very limited recourse. A lower initial cost is attractive, but in the long term, it can end up costing you considerably more.

Consequences of Unlicensed Garage Door Work

In many areas, unlicensed technicians are breaking the law and can face serious penalties. If a contractor or technician is caught working without a valid contractor's license may receive fines, legal penalties, and be ordered to stop working immediately. If you are a homeowner and have hired an unlicensed technician or contractor to do repairs on your garage door, then your repairs may have been halted mid-repair or may be reversed. Many jurisdictions also void the warranties and insurance coverage of a contractor that performed repairs without a valid contractor’s license. Simply put, hiring an unlicensed contractor could leave you with no money and possible legal consequences. You should always only hire a properly licensed contractor.

How to Report an Unlicensed Garage Door Repair Contractor

If you suspect someone is not properly licensed to perform garage door repair work, then report them. You can report this to your state's contractor licensing board or consumer protection agency by filing a complaint. Be sure to include as much information as you can including the name of the business, the address of the business, and any advertisements you have seen for that business. Most states have online reporting forms for reporting unlicensed contractors. You can also contact the Better Business Bureau to report an unlicensed contractor or a garage door repair business. Reporting unlicensed contractors will protect you and potentially protect other homeowners from unsafe or fraudulent repairs.

For licensed and insured garage door repairs in Orange County, trust OC Garage Door Guys for expert repairs and a satisfaction guarantee.