Get Quotes from Top Garage Door Contractors in Chicago, IL

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

The Chicago Building Code regulates the construction, installation,  alteration, repair, and demolition of private garage doors in Chicago. Anyone who wishes to execute the aforementioned work must hold the appropriate general contractor license issued by the city's Building Department or work under the supervision of a general contractor license holder. To apply for this license, applicants can download, complete, and mail a general contractor application form to:

As part of the application process, applicants will be required to provide the following information:

• The class of license for which the application is made
• Description of work and services that the applicants will offer after receiving the license
• Proof of financial solvency
• Proof that the applicant is authorized to do business in Illinois, or if the applicant is doing business under an assumed name, such a person must provide an Assumed Name Certificate issued by the County Clerk,
• Proof of insurance in the amount required for the class of contractor license chosen,
• A valid means of identification
• The appropriate license fee

Note that operating without a license in Chicago attracts a fine of up to $ 1,000 for the first infraction. In case another infraction is committed by the same individual, such an offense may also be punished as a misdemeanor, which could mean being imprisoned in the county jail for a period not exceeding six months. For more information concerning the process and requirements for obtaining a contractor license, applicants can contact the Chicago Building Department at (312)744-3449.

While professionals must obtain the appropriate contractor license before offering regulated services in the city, homeowners should not forget that it is also their responsibility to confirm the contractor's license status for their project. This will ensure that their project is handled by individuals who are not only law-abiding but also familiar with the city's Building Code. Homeowners in Chicago can confirm the license status of the contractor they wish to hire by downloading the Chicago licensed general contractors list.

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

The cost of garage door repair services in Chicago is determined by a variety of factors. These factors include:

• The amount of damage to the garage door
• The type of material that the garage door is composed of
• The design and style of the garage door
• If the homeowner is requesting add-on services like painting or other overhead door finishes

While these factors typically influence the cost of garage door repair services in Chicago, homeowners should also understand that some dishonest contractors may lie about the significance of any of the aforementioned factors on the total cost of the service being offered to them. As a result, before finalizing an agreement with any contractor, homeowners should always get and compare estimates from different garage door repair contractors in the city. By doing so, homeowners will ensure they are getting a fair price for their project by determining the average market price for the service offered.

Garage door repair contractors in Chicago earn an annual average wage of $52,520. The list below compares the hourly average wages of these contractors with those of garage door repair contractors in other major Illinois cities as well as other locations across the country

What Kind of Garage Door Services Do You Offer?

Chicago garage door repair contractors offer a variety of services to interested persons in the city. These services are generally grouped into four categories, namely:

• Garage door repairs entail fixing broken or faulty garage doors and replacing worn-out accessories to ensure the door runs smoothly. Common garage door repair services requested by residents of Chicago include:
  • Broken garage door spring repairs
  • Broken garage door cable repairs
  • Damaged garage door panel replacements
  • Bent/broken garage door track repairs
  • Safety sensor alignments
  • Roller inspections and replacements
  • Moving parts lubrication
  • Door panel damage
  • Door frame damage
  • Broken or loose rollers
  • Broken or loose hinges
  • Auto-reverse testing
• Garage door installations: this typically involves the installation of brand new garage doors either in a newly constructed garage or in an old building undergoing remodeling. Depending on the garage door repair company you are hiring for the job, cleanup, and disposal of your old garage door may also be included in the installation service. The cost of garage door installation service in Chicago ranges from $200 - $4000 depending on the size, material, design, and brand of the garage door.
• Garage door replacements: this service involves exchanging a bad or old garage door and worn-out accessory with a new one. While garage door replacement is similar to installation service, it is not the same as installation service. Garage door replacement can mean replacing only specific parts of the door, not the entire garage door. It is always best to discuss the extent of replacement needed with your contractor before finalizing an agreement.
• Garage door maintenance: this involves routine maintenance to identify signs of wear and tear, as well as prevent injuries that may result from a faulty garage door. Common routine maintenance services provided by competent garage door repair companies in the city include:
  • Assessment of proper spring balance
  • Assessment of loose hinges and roller guides
  • Assessment of weather seals
  • Assessment of worn rollers and loosened tracks
  • Assessment of door openers
  • Assessment of safety sensors
  • Assessment of the door's automatic reverse function

Even though it is assumed that most garage door repair contractors in the city can provide the different services listed above, it is necessary to make sure that the contractor you wish to hire specializes in providing the specific garage door repair services you need. You can confirm the contractor's expertise and years of experience in providing the specific service you need by asking for a list of customers they have sold similar services to in the past and contacting these customers to obtain a first-hand review of the contractor's work. Once the contractor's expertise and years of experience are confirmed, you can now discuss the cost of the service with the contractor.

Note that the cost of a garage door repair service is influenced by factors like the nature and scope of the service, the amount of damage to the garage door, the type of material that the garage door is composed of, and the design and style of the garage door. Nonetheless, it is always important to request a breakdown of the cost of the service from the contractor you wish to hire before finalizing any agreement with them. Average cost estimates for commonly requested garage door services in the Chicago area are provided below:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Estimates for garage door repair based on door material:

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

Estimates for garage door repair based on the type of problem:

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

In Chicago, a permit is not required to repair, replace, and install a garage door. These projects can be executed at any time, provided they comply with the city's Building Code requirements. However, homeowners should always confirm if the garage project they wish to carry out is exempt from a permit by contacting the city's Building Department at (312)744-3449. This is necessary because a building permit is required in the city before beginning new construction, repairs, additions, alterations, and demolition projects on various types of structures, including private garages.

Note that starting any of the aforementioned work without first obtaining a building permit usually results in a stop work order and other statutory penalties. As a result, homeowners who intend to carry out other garage-related construction or additions alongside the repair or installation of garage doors may have to apply for either the easy permit or the standard plan review permit, depending on the size of the garage area.

Applications for both permits can be submitted on the city's online permit portal, but while the easy permit application can be completed through the portal, applicants for standard plan review permits must use the city's ProjectDox system to upload the necessary plans for their project. Note that first-time users are required to create a user profile before they can begin their application on the city's online permit portal.

Once the application is submitted and all necessary documents have been uploaded, applicants can check the status of their building permit application online. Note that the Chicago Building Department will only issue permits to successful applicants. Queries concerning the process and requirements for obtaining an easy permit can be submitted via email, while information concerning the standard plan review permit can be directed to the city's Building Department at (312)744-3449.

What Brands of Garage Doors Do You Work With?

Ensuring that the contractor you wish to hire specializes in servicing the exact type and brand of garage doors in your home is one of the easiest ways to ensure your project is expertly handled. Garage door repair contractors who specialize in servicing a specific brand of garage doors are not only conversant with the common problems associated with the doors but also have the experience required to resolve them.

Homeowners must understand that garage doors are classified based on the materials they are made from and their designs and opening mechanisms, which means that hiring someone who can not tell the difference between different doors from the same brand may result in a poorly executed installation or repair. Garage doors in Chicago are typically made of steel, fiberglass, aluminum, vinyl, wood, and wood composite, with the following designs and opening mechanisms:

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

Given the variety of garage door designs and opening mechanisms, it is always best to seek the advice of a garage door repair contractor before choosing a garage door for your project. When discussing your preferred garage door with your contractor, do not forget to assess each garage door based on the following factors:

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

Once you have been able to identify the type of door that is best for the project with the help of your contractor, the next step to take is to find out the exact type and brand of door that has all the qualities you need. Consider using reputable garage door manufacturers such as:

• Raynor
• CHI Overhead Doors
• Smart
• Unique Garage Doors
• Clopay
• Wayne-Dalton

It is important to note that garage doors do not work on their own. Garage doors are operated by door openers, which are sold separately and are usually tailored to the needs of the homeowner. When a garage door opener is installed incorrectly, it not only affects the garage door's performance but also exposes homeowners and their families to serious injuries because doors may not reverse despite using the door opener. In Chicago, popular high-quality garage door opener brands include:

• LiftMaster 8500 Elite Series 8500
• Chamberlain B6765T Smart Garage Door Opener
• Genie ChainDrive 550 Garage Door Opener
• Nexx Garage Smart Wi-Fi Controller NXG-200
• Genie Aladdin Connect Smart Garage Door Opener

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

Chicago garage door repair contractors are not required to carry general liability insurance. However, professionals who wish to install and repair garage doors as general contractors must carry the right general liability insurance for the scope of services they will be offering to members of the public. For example, if the contractor will be undertaking projects valued at $500,000 or less, the general liability insurance will be within the minimum limit of $1,000,000 per occurrence for bodily injury and property damage.

Note some professionals can install and repair garage doors without necessarily carrying general liability insurance as long as they are not performing such work under the title of a general contractor. Nonetheless, Chicago homeowners must understand that if they hire an uninsured professional, they may be liable for any liabilities resulting from on-the-job hazards and property damage during their garage door project.

With at least 460 mechanical door repairers in the US alone suffering on-the-job injuries in 2020, it is always in the homeowner's best interest to ensure that the contractor they wish to hire is insured. Homeowners can confirm a contractor's insurance status by asking for a certificate of insurance and contacting the insurance company that issued the certificate to verify the details on the certificate.