Get Quotes from Top Garage Door Contractors in Charlotte, NC

Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Garage Door Contractor in Charlotte

Having a well-maintained garage door is a boost to your home's security, curb appeal, and value if you are selling. In major cities such as Charlotte, homeowners can get back almost a hundred percent of the money they invest in a good garage door. Aside from these merits, a well-maintained garage door minimizes the common risk of getting injured from a faulty garage door. Over, 20,000 such garage door accidents are recorded annually with many requiring an emergency room visitation.

As such, it is best to leave your garage door repairs and maintenance to proven contractors in the city who are familiar with the federal garage door safety standards and can answer the following questions satisfactorily:

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

Garage door repair contractors in Charlotte who wish to carry out projects worth more than $30,000 in the city must first secure a general contractor license from the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors (NCLBGC). A general contractor license allows individuals to perform various construction tasks, such as demolitions and structural repairs. It will be considered a Class 2 misdemeanor, which is punishable by a fine if a garage door repair contractor bids on a project worth more than $30,000.

The type of general contractor license that a garage door repair professional can apply for is dependent on the limitations of the license, which include:

  • Limited licenses give contractors the right to handle projects with a monetary value of up to $500,000
  • Intermediate licenses allow contractors to perform tasks with an economic value of up to $1,000,000.
  • Unlimited licenses enable the holders to perform projects without an upper monetary limit.

Interested individuals can obtain a general contractor license from the NCLBGC by meeting the following requirements:

  • Applicants must register a business structure with the Corporations Division of the North Carolina Secretary of State. To register, the garage door repair contractor must submit all relevant business license application forms and pay the applicable fee. In addition to submitting an application form, the applicant must obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the Internal Revenue Service. If the business structure is a sole proprietor, partnership, or LLP, the applicants must complete a certificate of assumed name form and submit it to the Mecklenburg County Register of Deeds. You can direct your queries regarding business registration to the North Carolina Secretary of State at (919) 814-5400.
  • Once a business structure has been registered, a garage door repair contractor must meet the following general contractor licensing requirements:
  • Be at least 18 years old
  • Complete an online license application form
  • Pay the appropriate application fee.
  • Possess good moral character as to be determined by the state's Licensing Board
  • Provide evidence of financial responsibility determined by the Board or a surety bond based on the license limitation.

Once the Board approves the application, the applicant will receive an eligibility letter to schedule an exam with PSI. After passing the exam, PSI will contact the Licensing Board to confirm that the garage door repair contractor has met all examination requirements. The Licensing Board will then issue a contractor license to the garage door repair contractor.

To verify the licensing status of your intended garage door repair contractor, you can use NCLBGC's find a licensed contractor platform. To check the status of a garage door repair contractor's business registration, you can use the business search portal provided by the North Carolina Secretary of State. For more information about the licensing process for general contractors in Charlotte, contact the NCLBGC at (919) 571-4183.

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

What determines the cost of garage door repair services in Charlotte is dependent on several factors, such as:

  • The size of the garage door
  • The garage door material
  • The style and design of the garage door
  • The cost of components that require replacing
  • The urgency of the job
  • Labor and service charges
  • Your location within the city
  • Overhead door finishes
  • The garage door contractor's experience and local reputation
  • The nature of the damage to the garage door
  • The severity of the damage to the garage door

When hiring a garage door contractor in Charlotte, it's crucial that you get estimates from multiple contractors to get a fair estimate. Doing so will allow you to assess project costs and avoid getting ripped off in home improvement scams. Make sure you give all contractors the exact scope of work and parameters to enable you to compare correctly. Be cautious with hiring a contractor with the lowest rate. It is usually a red flag that may be fraudulent.

Garage door repair contractors in Charlotte earn an annual average wage of $43,930. The list below compares the hourly average wages of these contractors with those of garage door repair contractors in other major North Carolina cities as well as other locations across the country:

Charlotte Garage Door Repair Contractors Hourly Average Wage
$21.12/hour
Virginia Beach Garage Door Repair Contractors Hourly Average Wage
$21.92/hour
Concord Garage Door Repair Contractors Hourly Average Wage
$21.12/hour
Norfolk Garage Door Repair Contractors Hourly Average Wage
$21.92/hour
Los Angeles Garage Door Repair Contractors Hourly Average Wage
$22.89/hour
Phoenix Garage Door Repair Contractors Hourly Average Wage
$23.67/hour
Chicago Garage Door Repair Contractors Hourly Average Wage
$25.25/hour
Houston Garage Door Repair Contractors Hourly Average Wage
$20.79/hour
New York City Garage Door Repair Contractors Hourly Average Wage
$26.19/hour
San Diego Garage Door Repair Contractors Hourly Average Wage
$20.51/hour
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

What Kind of Garage Door Services Do You Offer?

In Charlotte, garage door repair contractors can offer various types of garage door repair services. These services can be categorized into the following categories.

  • New garage door installation: These services include installing new garage doors and replacing old ones in residential and commercial buildings. New installation is usually carried out in newly constructed buildings or older buildings that do not have a garage.
  • Garage door replacement: a garage door replacement is usually carried out when the old and faulty ones are removed and replaced with newer models. The project cost can range from $200 to $5,000, depending on the type and size of the garage door. Aside from the door type, the labor intensity of the job also affects the replacement cost. Some people in the city try to reduce their garage door repair and replacement costs by reusing the old components of their garage doors. However, this method should be carried out with the approval of a professional garage door contractor.
  • Garage door repairs: These services are usually carried out to fix various issues related to the operation of the garage doors. They are designed to ensure that the doors function properly and efficiently. Repairs may sometimes not be enough to fix the issue, and a full replacement may be required. Your garage door repair contractor will be in a better position to advise you on the best line of action. Some of the common problems that a professional garage door repair company can address include:
    • Stuck garage doors
    • Noisy garage doors
    • Broken garage door springs
    • Faulty garage door tracks
    • Snapped/faulty garage door cables
    • Broken/faulty garage door rollers and hinges
    • Damaged garage door frames and panels
    • Unbalanced/misaligned garage doors
  • Garage door maintenance: In addition to regular garage door repairs, maintenance services are usually required to keep the doors in working condition. Individuals in Charlotte interested in properly functioning their garage doors can schedule maintenance sessions around their specific needs with a professional garage door repair contractor. Although the scope of maintenance services that a garage door repair contractor can provide varies, they usually offer the following:
    • Auto-reverse function testing
    • Safety sensor assessment and alignment
    • Hardware tightening
    • Moving parts lubrication
    • Garage door alignment balancing and adjusting
    • Garage door opener assessments
    • Garage door weatherstripping
    • Bottom seal and threshold seal assessments
    • Motor rail inspections and motor setting adjustments
    • Garage door inspections and tune-ups
    • Spring balance assessments

Although garage door repair contractors are usually equipped to provide various services such as those mentioned above, it is still important to confirm that they have the necessary specializations to meet your needs. Doing so ensures you get the best possible service and avoid getting stuck with a mediocre contractor.

The following are some of the cost estimates that are typically requested for garage door services. These estimates are based on various factors that affect the cost of these services, such as the type of garage door that you need, the experience, and the local reputation of the contractor:

Estimates for garage door installation based on type (materials only):

Single-Panel
$300 - $1,200
Tilt-Up Canopy
$500 - $1,500
Tilt-Up Retractable
$600 - $2,000
Sectional
$700 - $2,100
Roll-Up
$800 - $3,000

Estimates for garage door installation based on configuration (materials only):

Single
$600 - $1,350
Double
$750 - $3,200
Custom
$1,000 - $6,500

Estimates for garage door installation based on size (materials only):

8' x 7'
$300 - $900
9' x 9'
$400 - $1,000
10' x 10'
$400 - $1,200
12' x 7'
$500 - $1,300
12' x 12'
$600 - $1,500
16' x 7'
$600 - $3,500
16' x 8'
$700 - $5,000

Estimates for garage door installation based on door material (materials only):

Steel
$500 - $3,500
Aluminum
$550 - $4,000
Vinyl
$700 - $2,500
Composite
$800 - $5,000
Fiberglass
$800 - $3,000
Glass
$900 - $4,500
Wood
$1,000 - $5,500

Estimates for garage door installation based on style (materials only):

Paneled
$700 - $2,000
Carriage
$1,000 - $4,000
French Doors
$1,500 - $5,000

Estimates for garage door opener installation based on type (unit only):

Chain-Drive
$130 - $250
AC-Power
$100 - $300
Screw-Drive
$100 - $300
Belt-Drive
$200 - $350
DC-Power
$300 - $450
Direct-Drive
$300 - $550
Jackshaft-Drive
$500 - $700

Estimates for garage door screen installation based on type (materials only):

Walk-Through
$50 - $200
Retractable
$100 - $1,500
Motorized
$500 - $1,500

Estimates for garage door installation and replacement labor (per hour):

New door installation
$50 - $100
Door replacement
$50 - $200
Old door disposal
$20 - $60

Estimates for garage door repair based on door material:

Fiberglass
$150 - $600
Aluminum
$200 - $650
Vinyl
$200 - $650
Steel
$200 - $750
Glass
$200 - $850
Wood
$200 - $1,000
Composite
$300 - $750

Estimates for garage door repair or replacement based on faulty components:

Bearings
$100 - $300
Belt
$100 – $200
Cable
$100 - $200
Chain
$150 - $250
Circuit board
$150 - $450
Coils/Spring
$100 - $400
Frame
$120 - $650
Lintel
$150 - $650
Lock Bar
$100 - $160
Motor
$100 - $300
Opener
$100 - $900
Panel
$150 - $1,000
Remote
$100 - $200
Rollers
$100 - $170
Sensor
$100 - $175
Strut
$150 - $550
Track
$100 - $300

Estimates for garage door repair based on type of problem:

Bounces when closing
$100 - $200
Cable came off
$100 - $250
Noisy
$100 - $250
Off-track
$100 - $350
Sagging in the middle
$100 - $500
Opens and closes by itself
$100 - $500
Dented/Bent
$100 - $750
Snapped lock cable
$120 - $250
Sagging Header
$120 - $400
Stuck to floor
$130 - $250
Stuck closed or open
$130 - $400
Misaligned
$125 - $600

Will You Get the Garage Door Installation Permits as Required per the Charlotte Building Code?

Per North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors (NCLBGC) laws and regulations, garage door repair contractors must get permits from the relevant local code enforcement agency before starting any building or construction work in Charlotte.

The Mecklenburg County Code Enforcement Department (CED) issues permits for construction work in Charlotte. Homeowners or garage door contractors interested in obtaining permits from the CED can do so through its various permit application portals.

After completing an application online, applicants must pay the necessary permit processing fees. In addition, they must submit all necessary plans to the Department of Code Enforcement's Plan Review Services where necessary. The Department reviews the plans to ensure the project will comply with the building code. Once the permit is issued, the project will be assigned to the department's residential team for inspection.

For more information about the permitting and inspection process in Charlotte, contact the Mecklenburg County Department of Code Enforcement at (980) 314-2633 or in person at:

Mecklenburg County Code Enforcement
2145 Suttle Avenue
Charlotte, NC 28208
Hours: Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

What Brands of Garage Doors Do You Work With?

Several garage door manufacturers in Charlotte provide high-quality products to different homes and properties in Charlotte. When replacing or installing garage doors in Charlotte, it is always recommended to use brands built by experienced and trusted garage door manufacturers. Some of the brands include:

Clopay Garage Doors
$400 - $4,000
Chi Overhead Doors
$820 - $4,900
Amarr Garage Doors
$850 - $8,500
DoorLink Garage Doors
$300 - $2,250
ArmRLite Garage Doors
$400 - $2,500
Raynor Garage Doors
$550 - $3,000
Hormann Garage Doors
$400 - $6,300
Wayne Dalton Garage Doors
$500 - $5,000
Presto Garage & Gutter
$400 - $ $5,000
Greene's Overhead Doors Inc
$300 - $3,000
Aladdin Garage Doors Charlotte
$300 - $2000

These garage doors are typically made of steel, wood, aluminum, fiberglass, and vinyl. They are also available in a variety of styles and operating mechanisms, such as:

  • Tilt-up/Up-and-over canopy garage doors
  • Tilt-up/Up-and-over retractable garage doors
  • Side-sliding garage doors
  • Side-hinged garage doors
  • Carriage house double garage doors
  • French-style garage doors
  • Full-view garage doors
  • Sectional garage doors
  • Paneled garage doors
  • Roller garage doors

Note that you may need to buy a separate opener for your new garage door. Openers are usually sold separately due to their varying lifespans from that of a garage door. However, they can be customized and come in four different types:

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

Some of the top brands that are commonly used by homeowners in Charlotte for their garage door openers are:

Nexx Garage Smart Wi-Fi Controller NXG-200
$250 - $280
Genie Aladdin Connect Smart Garage Door Opener
$130 - $200
Chamberlain B6765T Smart Garage Door Opener
$520 - $570
LiftMaster 8500 Elite Series 8500
$460 - $570
Genie ChainDrive 550 Garage Door Opener
$170 - $200
BeamUP Everlift Garage Door Opener with Battery Backup
$200 - $220

Before you hire a garage door repair contractor to install or repair a new garage door, it is important that you confirm the various brands that they commonly use. Doing so will allow you to determine if the contractor is suitable for your project. In addition to the brand, type, design, and style of garage door that you choose, you should also consider other features such as:

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

One of the most important factors you should consider when hiring a garage door contractor is their experience. Having them professionally assess your unique needs will help you make informed decisions regarding the best garage door for your home.

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

Considering that in 2020, over 460 on-the-job injuries were reported among garage door repair contractors, the need for a licensed and insured contractor cannot be overstated. It is important that you hire a professional garage door repair contractor with the necessary insurance policy and bonding to handle your project regardless of the scope of work they are doing. This ensures that you are protected from potential liability issues that may arise from your work.

In Charlotte, there is no requirement for garage door repair contractors to have a general liability insurance policy. However, these contractors must purchase a surety bond of $175,000 for a limited license, $500,000 for an intermediate license, and $1 million for an unlimited license to maintain their contractor licenses. This type of bond provides financial restitution to customers in cases where the garage door contractor will not fulfill their obligations.

Nonetheless, before hiring a local garage door contractor in Charlotte to handle your project, ensure they have the necessary insurance documents to protect you from financial and legal liability issues arising from their work. To confirm their insurance status, you can contact the relevant insurance provider. You can also contact the North Carolina Licensing Board at (919) 571-4183 to learn more about their bonding status.

How to File a Complaint Against a Bad Garage Door Contractor in the City

Complaints regarding garage door contractor shoddy work or fraudulent acts can be filed with the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors and the North Carolina Department of Justice.

When hiring a contractor for a garage door project in Charlotte, a few red flags can indicate that you might be dealing with a con artist or fraudulent individual. This includes:

  • Unsolicited offers for garage door repairs and maintenance.
  • Offers too-good-to-be-true deals. This usually involves requiring you to sign up for the services immediately.
  • Demand for full payment upfront
  • Reluctant to provide a verifiable reference, licensing proof, and insurance documents
  • Absence of any visible signs of identity, such as the contractor's uniform and license plate.
  • The contractor has a verifiable physical address.

According to a report released by the North Carolina Department of Justice, the office received over 28,000 consumer complaints in 2021, of which over 860 were related to home improvement fraud. The report also states that over $1.6 million fraudulently obtained by scammers were recovered for North Carolina residents. When hiring a home improvement contractor like a garage door repair professional, due diligence is required. Doing so will allow you to check if the individual has been charged with fraudulent activity and help you look for fraudulent signs.

Before you hire a garage door repair contractor in Charlotte, you can follow these tips to avoid getting ripped off:

  • Never hire a garage door repair contractor who is unsolicited.
  • Ensure you get garage door contractor recommendations from trusted sources like friends and family who have worked on similar projects. Also, you can check organizations such as the International Door Association and the Better Business Bureau to find professional garage door contractors.
  • Make sure that you get estimates from multiple contractors. Doing so will allow you to compare their work and ensure you get the best possible service.
  • Ensure you confirm the garage door repair contractor licensing status before completing the hiring process. You can use the NCLBGC's find a licensed contractor platform.
  • Confirm that the garage door repair contractor has the necessary insurance and bonding status.
  • Request for references of past clients the garage door contractor has worked with on similar projects. You can also check the contractor's ratings and reviews on websites such as Google, Better Business Bureau, and Yelp.
  • Execute a written contract with the garage door contractor. Ensure you review the contract before signing and avoid signing if you do not understand the terms of the contract.
  • Avoid paying the total cost of the project upfront. Also, never pay the full cost of the work without a contract. If you have to make a downpayment, then you can limit it to a third of the total project's cost.

If you are a victim of home improvement fraud in Charlotte or a dishonest garage door contractor has contacted you, you can file a complaint with the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors online or by sending a complaint via email. The Consumer Protection Division of the North Carolina Department of Justice can also handle complaints regarding home improvement fraud in Charlotte. To report a consumer complaint, you can complete an online form or call the Consumer Protection Division at 1-877-5-NO-SCAM. If you are calling from outside Charlotte, you can call the division at (919) 716-6000.

If you are dissatisfied with the resolution of the various agencies mentioned above, you can also file a lawsuit against the garage door contractor in the Mecklenburg County District Court. However, seeking proper legal advice from a licensed lawyer is best before initiating legal action. You can use the lawyer referral services of the Mecklenburg County Bar Association to find qualified lawyers near you.