Get Quotes from Top Garage Door Contractors in Indianapolis, IN

Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Garage Door Contractor in Indianapolis

A good garage door does more than boost your home's curb appeal and resale value. It may be your first line of defense in case of a burglary. Hence, maintaining your garage door for smooth operations may be a good investment in the safety of your family and property. Besides, prompt repair and regular maintenance of your garage door reduce the chance of an accident that may involve the children. Note that over 20,000 injuries are recorded annually due to failed garage doors with most of these involving children.

When in search of a garage door repair contractor in Indianapolis, ensure the contractor complies with the Indianapolis Building Standards and Procedures and can answer the following questions satisfactorily:

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

The Indianapolis Department of Business and Neighborhood Services (BNS) is the regulatory agency charged with overseeing the activities of individuals and businesses that engage in building and construction activities within the city. Per Section 875-10 of the Revised Code of Indianapolis and Marion County, these individuals and businesses, including garage door repair contractors, must possess a valid contractor license issued by this department before offering their services to interested residents of Indianapolis. Failure to do this can result in a $250 fine for first offenses committed within a 12-month period and a minimum fine of $1,000 for subsequent offenses committed during this timeframe.

Garage door repair contractors that wish to be licensed by the BNS will be required to submit the following documentation to the department:

  • A properly completed Company License Application Form
  • Proof of business registration
  • Proof of acceptable surety bonds and insurance coverage
  • Proof of payment of all stipulated licensing fees

These documents can be submitted to the BNS either via email or mail-in to:

Department of Business and Neighborhood Services
Contractor Licensing
1200 Madison Avenue
Suite 100
Indianapolis, IN 46225

You can also contact the department via the aforementioned email address or via phone number (317) 327-1291 to direct queries or get additional information on its licensing procedures and requirements for garage door repair contractors. Likewise, you can confirm that your intended garage door repair contractor has complied with these requirements and thus been properly registered by this department by accessing a List of Currently Licensed General Contractors that it makes available online for this purpose.

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

When searching for garage door repair services in Indianapolis, you should always find out and agree on the cost of your required services with your intended garage door repair contractor before they begin any work. Failing to do this can lead to misunderstandings between you and the contractor and opens up room for unscrupulous contractors to scam you. You should also go a step further by getting written cost estimates from at least three different garage door contractors and comparing these estimates before selecting one suited for the job.

Professional garage door repair contractors in Indianapolis typically consider the following factors when calculating charges for their services:

  • The garage door material
  • The size of the garage door
  • The nature and severity of damage to the garage door
  • The garage door style and design features
  • Garage overhead features
  • Your location within the city
  • The amount of labor required to perform the job satisfactorily
  • Service charges

You should not automatically hire the garage door contractor submitting the lowest cost estimate. Find out why this contractor's charges are lower than the others, especially if the price difference is significant. Also, always consider other factors like the garage door repair contractor's experience and local reputation.

Garage door repair contractors in Indianapolis earn an annual average wage of $42,880. The list below compares the hourly average wages of these contractors with those of garage door repair contractors in other major Indiana cities as well as other locations across the country:

Indianapolis Garage Door Repair Contractors Hourly Average Wage
$20.61/hour
South Bend Garage Door Repair Contractors Hourly Average Wage
$24.15/hour
Carmel Garage Door Repair Contractors Hourly Average Wage
$20.61/hour
Fishers Garage Door Repair Contractors Hourly Average Wage
$20.61/hour
Elkhart Garage Door Repair Contractors Hourly Average Wage
$19.06/hour
Chicago Garage Door Repair Contractors Hourly Average Wage
$25.25/hour
Houston Garage Door Repair Contractors Hourly Average Wage
$20.79/hour
Los Angeles Garage Door Repair Contractors Hourly Average Wage
$22.89/hour
New York City Garage Door Repair Contractors Hourly Average Wage
$26.19/hour
Phoenix Garage Door Repair Contractors Hourly Average Wage
$23.67/hour
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

What Kind of Garage Door Services Do You Offer?

Professional garage door contractors in Indianapolis generally offer several kinds of services, ranging from garage door inspections and faulty spring and roller replacements to garage door upgrades and new garage door and garage door opener installations. Nevertheless, these services typically fall under one of the following categories:

  • Garage door installations and replacements: these services involve installing garage doors in newly constructed homes and replacing old or malfunctioning garage doors with newer models. Garage door installation and replacement services are commonly requested by Indianapolis homeowners moving into new homes and those wishing to upgrade or remodel their existing homes. The cost of these services can range from $350 - $4,000, depending on the type, make, and model of the garage door to be used, labor costs, and other incidental charges. You can reduce some of these costs by re-using parts of your old garage door for garage door replacements. However, note that the old parts may not be compatible with your new garage door system, so you should always consult with a professional garage door repair contractor before making this decision.
  • Garage door repairs: these services are commonly requested by homeowners who have faulty or broken down garage doors and require these problems fixed so that their garage doors can continue functioning safely and efficiently. In some cases, the faulty garage doors may be beyond repair and need to be replaced entirely. Examples of common garage door problems that typically require repair services include:
    • Slow operation
    • Broken springs
    • Snapped or broken garage door cables
    • Broken or bent tracks
    • Faulty or broken hinges and rollers
    • Faulty garage door openers
    • Damaged garage door panels and frames
    • Collision damage
  • Garage door maintenance: garage door maintenance services refer to services offered by professional garage door repair contractors designed to ensure the smooth and optimal operation of garage doors, prevent sudden and unforeseen breakdowns, and minimize malfunction-related accidents. Many professional Indianapolis garage door repair contractors offer consumers the option of signing up for these services, which typically include the following:
    • Garage door inspections
    • Garage door tune-ups
    • Garage door opener assessment
    • Auto reverse function testing
    • Safety sensor alignments
    • Garage door spring balancing
    • Hinge and roller assessments
    • Moving parts lubrication
    • Weather seal assessment and replacement

Confirming that the types of garage door services offered by your intended garage door repair contractor align with your specific needs is a key step to take in ensuring that you hire the right professional for the job. If you fail to do this, you risk hiring a contractor that is not experienced enough to deliver your required services satisfactorily. This, in turn, can lead to additional time and money spent on searching for a more suitable garage door repair contractor to get the job done correctly.

The list below provides cost estimates for commonly requested garage door services in Indianapolis. However, note that the actual amount you may have to pay for these services will largely be dependent on factors like the nature and scope of your required service, your preferred contractor's level of experience, and your location within the city:

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

Single-Panel
$350 - $1,110
Tilt-Up Canopy
$400 - $1,400
Tilt-Up Retractable
$500 - $1,800
Sectional
$600 - $2,000
Roll-Up
$750 - $3,000

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

Single
$500 - $1,300
Double
$600 - $3,150
Custom
$1,000 - $6,000

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

8' x 7'
$300 - $800
9' x 9'
$350 - $1,000
10' x 10'
$375 - $1,150
12' x 7'
$400 - $1,250
12' x 12'
$500 - $1,500
16' x 7'
$650 - $3,000
16' x 8'
$700 - $4,000

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

Steel
$450 - $3,200
Aluminum
$450 - $4,000
Vinyl
$500 - $2,500
Composite
$600 - $4,000
Fiberglass
$750 - $3,000
Glass
$800 - $3,850
Wood
$1,000 - $5,000

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

Paneled
$700 - $2,000
Carriage
$1,000 - $3,800
French Doors
$1,250 - $4,550

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

Chain-Drive
$150 - $250
AC-Power
$150 - $285
Screw-Drive
$170 - $300
Belt-Drive
$200 - $350
DC-Power
$350 - $450
Direct-Drive
$350 - $550
Jackshaft-Drive
$550 - $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
$60 - $250
Old door disposal
$30 - $50

Estimates for garage door repair based on door material:

Fiberglass
$150 - $500
Aluminum
$175 - $500
Vinyl
$200 - $600
Steel
$220 - $685
Glass
$250 - $750
Wood
$250 - $1,000
Composite
$275 - $850

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

Bearings
$100 - $300
Belt
$100 – $250
Cable
$100 - $250
Chain
$150 - $250
Circuit board
$150 - $450
Coils/Spring
$100 - $400
Frame
$130 - $600
Lintel
$150 - $600
Lock Bar
$100 - $200
Motor
$100 - $300
Opener
$100 - $1,050
Panel
$150 - $1,000
Remote
$100 - $200
Rollers
$100 - $150
Sensor
$100 - $150
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 - $700
Snapped lock cable
$120 - $250
Sagging Header
$120 - $400
Stuck to floor
$130 - $250
Stuck closed or open
$100 - $400
Misaligned
$120 - $550

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

According to Chapter 536 of the Revised Code of Indianapolis and Marion County, individuals who wish to undertake building, construction, and home improvement-related projects within Indianapolis are required to obtain permits from the city's Department of Business and Neighborhood Services (BNS) before doing so.

However, permit exemptions may be made for ordinary maintenance and repair work in or on existing structures to prevent deterioration or performance deficiencies, provided that this work does not reduce the performance of the structure or create additional health and safety risks. This ordinary maintenance and repair work must also not alter the prior or initial capacity, performance specifications, type of required energy, or functional features of the structure in question.

The BNS issues two types of permits, which are:

  • Class 1 permits: these are issued for work involving commercial buildings and structures
  • Class 2 permits: these are issued for work involving residential buildings and structures

Parties that wish to obtain either of these permit types from the BNS for their garage door-related projects will be required to complete and submit a Class 1 Structural Permit Application Form or a Class 2 Structural Permit Application Form to:

Department of Business and Neighborhood Services
1200 Madison Avenue
Suite 100
Indianapolis, IN 46225

Alternatively, permit applications can be submitted online via the city's Citizen Access Portal to the department. However, the creation of a user account on the online platform will be required for this.

Applicants are typically required to pay a stipulated fee before requested permits can be issued. Depending on the nature and scope of the project, documents like building plans and drawings, as well as plan reviews, infrastructure reviews, and additional permit applications, may also be required.

You can contact the Indianapolis Department of Business and Neighborhood Services at (317) 327-8700 to get additional information or direct queries related to its permit-issuing procedure and requirements for garage door projects in the city. Queries on this subject can also be directed to the department via email or by visiting its office at the above address between 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Mondays to Fridays.

What Brands of Garage Doors Do You Work With?

After confirming that your intended garage door repair contractor offers the kind of services you require, you should also find out the types of garage door brands they work with and ensure that these brands will fit your specific needs. Some garage door manufacturers with brands that are not only tried and trusted but also readily available in Indianapolis and favored by home and property owners in the area include:

Clopay
$400 - $4,000
DoorLink Manufacturing Inc
$300 - $2,250
Amarr
$850 - $8,500
Carriage House Door Company
$350 - $5,000
Haas Doors
$450 - $5,000
ProDoor Manufacturing Co
$350 - $3,050
Raynor Manufacturing Company
$550 - $2,000
Wayne Dalton
$500 - $5,000
ArmRLite Overhead Doors
$400 - $2,500
CHI Overhead Doors
$820 - $4,900
Hormann
$2,200 - $7,500
General American Door Company
$300 - $5,000
Martin Doors
$550 - $10,000

Doors from these brands are typically made from high-quality construction materials like vinyl, wood, glass, fiberglass, aluminum, steel, and composite wood, and they are also available in a wide range of styles and design features, such as:

  • Sliding garage doors
  • Roll-up garage doors
  • Folding garage doors
  • Carriage garage doors
  • Sectional garage doors
  • Side-hinged garage doors
  • Paneled garage doors
  • Up-and-Over garage doors
  • Tilt-up canopy garage doors
  • French-style garage doors

Given the number and variety of available garage door brands, styles, and designs to choose from, taking the following features into account can help you narrow down your options when selecting a suitable garage door for your installation or replacement projects:

  • Security
  • Safety
  • Aesthetic appeal
  • Convenience/Ease of operation
  • Cost
  • Durability
  • Availability of replacement parts
  • Insulation
  • Maintenance requirements
  • Motor strength
  • Customization options

It should be noted that the type of garage door opener you install along with your garage door is another crucial element that will impact its effectiveness and usability. These garage door openers are normally supplied separately from garage doors, can be customized to meet your unique needs, and come in four main types, namely:

  • Chain driven openers
  • Belt driven openers
  • Screw driven openers
  • Jackshaft openers

Some high-quality garage door opener brands favored by home and property owners in the Indianapolis area include:

BeamUP Everlift Garage Door Opener with Battery Backup
$200 - $220
Ismartgate PRO Garage Door Opener
$170 - $185
Nexx Garage Smart Wi-Fi Controller NXG-200
$250 - $280
Genie StealthDrive Connect Garage Door Opener
$260 - $285
Chamberlain B6765T Smart Garage Door Opener
$520 - $570
LiftMaster 8500 Elite Series 8500
$460 - $570
Genie Aladdin Connect Smart Garage Door Opener
$130 - $200
Chamberlain MyQ Smart Garage Door Opener
$200 - $250
Genie Chain Drive 500 Garage Door Opener
$200 - $370

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

Making sure that your intended garage door repair contractor has proper insurance coverage is important, as this coverage insulates you from liabilities if property damage or injuries occur during your project. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that about 2.7 million nonfatal work-related injuries were recorded in the United States in 2020. Approximately 4,764 fatal work-related injuries were also recorded during this time, with more than three percent of these fatalities occurring in the State of Indiana.

To this end, garage door repair contractors that wish to operate within Indianapolis are statutorily mandated to meet the following insurance and bond requirements before they can legally conduct business in the city:

  • They must maintain general liability insurance coverage of at least $500,000 per occurrence for death or bodily injury and $100,000 per occurrence for property damage or a combined coverage for both bodily injury and property damage of at least $500,000 per occurrence
  • They must maintain workers' compensation insurance coverage for any workers that they employ in the City of Indianapolis or other parts of Marion County.
  • They must post and maintain a surety bond of $10,000

Always confirm that your garage door repair contractors have complied with these mandatory financial obligations before they start any work on your home or property. You can do this by requesting copies of their insurance and bond certificates and contacting the appropriate issuing organizations to validate these documents. You can also take a step further by confirming that the contractor's minimum insurance coverage will be adequate for the scope of your garage door project.

Queries related to city-mandated insurance and bond requirements for Indianapolis garage door repair contractors can be directed to the Indianapolis Department of Business and Neighborhood Services at (317)327-1291.

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

The Indiana Attorney General's Office is the primary consumer protection agency for residents of Indianapolis, and you can file complaints against bad garage door contractors in the city with this office.

In November 2019, media platform Inside Indiana Business reported that the Indiana Attorney General's Office had secured a $1.3 million judgment against two individuals who had been accused of pulling home improvement scams on more than 60 residents of the state. According to the report, more than half of these victims were senior citizens. Similarly, in its 2021 Annual Report, the Indiana Attorney General's Office disclosed that it had received approximately 15,582 complaints from consumers across the state and also helped recover nearly $5 million in restitution for these consumers during this time.

Dishonest contractors and con artists in Indianapolis constantly find ways to try to defraud home and property owners in the city, so you should always be on the lookout for these types of individuals when searching for garage door services. Some red flags to watch for include:

  • Unsolicited garage door inspection and repair offers and deals that sound too good to be true
  • Time-limited offers of discounts for services
  • An absence of official company logos on the contractor's uniform, vehicle, and paperwork
  • Hesitance to offer written documentation like contracts, warranties, and cost estimates
  • Hesitance to provide verifiable references of past clients
  • Insistence on cash payment, usually before beginning any work
  • Lack of proper licensing

Taking the following actions can help ensure that you retain the services of legitimate garage door contractors and avoid home improvement scams in Indianapolis:

  • Be wary of unsolicited offers of garage door services
  • Utilize online directories provided by organizations like the Better Business Bureau, the Builders Association of Greater Indianapolis, and the International Door Association to search for reputable garage door contractors in the city. You can also get referrals to garage door contractors from friends and relatives who have carried out similar projects.
  • Compare written estimates from at least three different contractors before making your hiring choice.
  • Always confirm that your garage door contractor holds a valid contractor license issued by the city's Department of Business and Neighborhood Services.
  • Make sure that your preferred contractor is properly insured and bonded
  • Be wary of garage door contractors that cannot provide you with at least three verifiable references
  • Look up reviews and testimonials on your preferred contractors online
  • Do not hire any garage door contractor that does not have a verifiable physical address
  • Ensure that your garage door repair contractor issues you a written contract before commencing any work. Review this contract properly before signing it
  • Avoid cash payments
  • Never hire any garage door contractor who requests full payment upfront or asks for large advance payments. If you have to make a down payment, it should never exceed one-third of the project's total cost.

Per Section 35-43-6 of the Indiana Code, individuals found guilty of committing home improvement scams in Indianapolis can receive fines of up to $5,000 and jail time of up to six years. Note that these penalties are usually steeper if the scam involves consumers who are 60 years or older.

You can report home improvement scams and other dishonest acts by garage door contractors in Indianapolis to the Consumer Protection Division of the Indiana Attorney General's Office, either online or by mailing a consumer complaint form to:

Office of the Indiana Attorney General
Consumer Protection Division
Government Center South
5th Floor
302 W. Washington Street
Indianapolis, IN 46204

This office can also be reached at (317) 232-6330 to get information on its complaint submission and resolution process. If you happen to be unsatisfied with the outcome of this complaint process, you can take further action against the garage door contractor named in your complaint by filing a lawsuit with the Marion Circuit Court.

However, if the matter involves $8,000 or more, this lawsuit must be filed with the Marion Superior Court. It is always in your best interest to get proper legal advice before filing any lawsuits, regardless of the amount in contention, to ensure that you take the best actions possible. You can find licensed attorneys who practice in the Indianapolis area via the Indianapolis Bar Association's Lawyer Referral Service.