How to Dodge Garage Door Scams Without Losing Your Mind (or Your Wallet)

Let’s be honest — no one wakes up excited to fix their garage door. It’s loud, it’s stuck, and now you’ve got a technician on the way who may or may not treat your wallet like a piñata.

So how do you avoid getting overcharged or outright scammed? Here’s what real-life experience (and a few thousand Yelp horror stories) can teach us:

1. Don’t Trust the “$29 Service Call” Hype

You know those ads? “Garage Door Repair – $29!” Sounds like a bargain… until your “technician” shows up, pokes at a spring, and suddenly you’re staring at a $900 estimate. The Better Business Bureau has flagged this as a common bait-and-switch tactic.

Tip: Ask if that call fee applies only to diagnostics, and whether it goes toward your final bill. Get that in writing if you can.

2. Ask for a Line-Item Quote – Before Any Work Starts

A trustworthy technician won’t get offended if you ask for details. In fact, HomeAdvisor recommends requesting a breakdown: parts, labor, and any fees. If they dodge the question or scribble a mystery number on a napkin, run.

3. Beware the "Urgency Bomb"

You might hear, “This whole system is about to collapse — I really shouldn’t leave it like this.” Fear sells. Yes, some problems are urgent, but not everything is an emergency. Angi.com warns that upselling through fear is one of the oldest tricks in the book.

My advice? Get a second opinion before you let someone perform “open garage surgery.”

4. Google Them Like You’re a CIA Agent

Check Google Maps reviews, Yelp, and even the BBB. Look for patterns — if several people say, “Nice guy, but triple the price,” believe them. If you see words like “transparent,” “honest,” or “affordable,” you’re in the right ballpark.

5. Work With Local Pros Who Put It in Writing

The best protection? Choose someone who actually lives and works in your community, offers fair pricing upfront, and doesn’t vanish after a job is done. (Hi 👋, that’s me.)

I started this garage door business because I was tired of hearing about people getting ripped off. I keep my pricing simple, show you exactly what you’re paying for, and won’t recommend anything I wouldn’t do for my own mum’s garage.

In Short?
If someone makes you feel pressured, confused, or suspicious — trust your gut. A reliable repair should make your garage open smoothly, not open a financial sinkhole.

Have questions or want a free, pressure-free quote? Reach out. No fine print, no weird fees — just honest work, done right.