What a garage door change order is for
Garage door repairs uncover more once the tension is off: a cracked bottom bracket, a bent track section, a drum worn smooth. A change order with the finding and the price, approved before you install the extra part, keeps the repair honest. It also records upgrades the customer chooses on the spot.
What to put on a garage door change order
- The original estimate.
- What was found or requested.
- Added parts and credits.
- The new total.
- Approval before continuing.
A worked example
With the springs off, the tech finds a rusted bottom bracket and a bent track section. The customer also skips the rollers.
| Line | Qty | Unit | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bottom bracket replacement | 2 | each | Your price |
| Track section replacement | 1 | each | Your price |
| Credit: rollers not replaced | -1 | set | Your price |
Show the customer the rusted bracket before replacing it. A failing bracket under spring tension is a safety issue, and a photo makes that clear.
Line items garage door companies use
| Line item | Unit | How to write it |
|---|---|---|
| Service call and safety inspection | each | Trip, diagnosis and a check of springs, cables and sensors. |
| Torsion spring replacement, pair | set | Wire size and cycle rating; replacing both is common practice. |
| Extension spring replacement | set | With safety cables. |
| Lift cables | set | Often replaced with springs. |
| Rollers, nylon | set | Quieter than steel; count per door. |
| Opener, belt drive | each | Brand, horsepower and features like battery backup. |
| Opener, wall mount | each | Frees the ceiling; needs a torsion setup. |
| Safety sensors | set | Photo eyes at the bottom of the track. |
| New garage door, installed | each | Size, insulation, style, windows and color. |
| Remove and haul old door | each | Including the old springs and track. |
| Weatherstripping and bottom seal | each | Sides, top and bottom. |
| Track realignment | each | Bent or loose track. |
| Panel replacement | each | When the style is still available. |
Terms and deposit language for garage door
- Deposit. No deposit on repairs. New doors take a deposit at order since they are built to size and color.
- Payment. Repairs due on completion. New doors balance due at install.
- Warranty. Springs and openers carry the maker's warranty; state your own labor warranty and that it covers your parts only.
- Spring work is dangerous and done only by trained techs; the customer should not adjust springs.
- Other worn parts found during a repair are pointed out and quoted, not replaced without approval.
- Custom door orders cannot be cancelled once placed.
How to fill it in
- Put in the original estimate number and amount.
- Write what changed in the reason box, plainly.
- Add the new work; type a minus quantity for any credit.
- Fill in the days added.
- Print it for a signature on site, or send it from Koira to sign by phone.
Free tools for garage door
The same change order for other trades: appliance repair, auto detailing, carpet cleaning, chimney, house cleaning, commercial cleaning, concrete, drywall, electrical, fence, flooring, general contractor, gutter, handyman, hvac, irrigation, junk removal, landscaping, lawn care, locksmith, moving, painting, pest control, plumbing, pool service, pressure washing, remodeling, roofing, septic, snow removal, solar, tree service, waterproofing, window cleaning.