What a garage door estimate is for
Garage door repair has a reputation for upselling, partly because a broken spring often comes with worn cables and rollers. An estimate that names the failed part, lists the other worn parts as separate choices and states the warranty on each lets the customer decide what to fix. For new doors, it spells out size, insulation and opener so there is no doubt about what was ordered.
What to put on a garage door estimate
- The door size, type and the failed part.
- Other worn parts, priced separately.
- Spring wire size or cycle rating.
- Opener brand and features, if replacing.
- Safety checks performed.
- Warranty for each part and your labor.
A worked example
A double door with one broken torsion spring, frayed cables and noisy steel rollers. The opener works. The customer is late for work and wants it fixed now.
| Line | Qty | Unit | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service call and safety inspection | 1 | each | Your price |
| Torsion spring replacement, pair | 1 | set | Your price |
| Lift cables | 1 | set | Your price |
| Rollers, nylon | 1 | set | Your price |
Separate lines let the customer take the springs alone if they choose. Note in the notes why you recommend the pair and the cables, in plain words.
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 your business details once; this browser keeps them for every template.
- Fill in the customer and the job.
- Change the line items to fit this job and add your prices.
- Set tax, the deposit and the good-until date.
- Print to PDF, download Word or CSV, or send it from Koira.
Free tools for garage door
The same estimate 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.