What Warranties Come With Garage Door Repairs?

Garage door repairs usually come with two separate kinds of coverage: a manufacturer warranty on the new parts, and a labor or workmanship warranty from the company that installed them. The first covers defects in the part itself. The second covers mistakes in how the work was done. They often have different lengths and different rules.

Terms vary widely between manufacturers and between repair companies, so there is no single standard. The useful thing is to know which kind of coverage applies to which part of the job, and to get it in writing before the work begins.

A manufacturer warranty covers defects in materials and manufacturing. If a new opener's circuit board fails because it was built wrong, or a part breaks from a factory defect, the manufacturer typically replaces the part. Coverage lengths differ by part. Openers, motors, springs, rollers and door sections are often covered for different periods, and some parts have more than one term, such as one for the motor and another for accessories.

What a parts warranty usually does not cover is the labor to remove the failed part and install the replacement. That cost may fall under the repair company's labor coverage, or it may be yours. Read the warranty to see whether it includes labor, shipping or a service call.

Normal wear is also outside most parts warranties. Springs, for example, are rated for a certain number of cycles. A spring that breaks after reaching its expected life has worn out, not failed from a defect. If your door gets heavy use, ask about higher-cycle springs during broken spring repair.

A labor or workmanship warranty comes from the company that did the repair, not from the part maker. It covers problems caused by how the work was done, such as a part installed incorrectly, hardware not tightened, or an adjustment that does not hold. If something covered goes wrong, the company returns to correct it.

These warranties are set by each company, so their length and conditions vary. Some cover only the specific part that was installed. Others cover the whole repair visit. Ask what is included, how long it lasts and whether it covers both parts and labor or labor only.

Exclusions are where most warranty disagreements start. Read them before you sign. Common exclusions in both parts and labor coverage include the following.

• Normal wear and tear, including springs that reach the end of their rated cycles
• Damage from a vehicle impact, storms, flooding or power surges
• Rust or finish damage from salt, chemicals or lack of maintenance
• Damage caused by DIY changes or repairs by someone else after the job
• Parts the customer supplied, which the installer may not cover
• Cosmetic issues such as fading or minor dents

Many manufacturers require you to register the product within a certain time after installation. Some also require professional installation, or that the part be installed according to their instructions. Keep the model number, serial number and installation date, and register the product if required.

Maintenance can matter too. Some warranties exclude damage caused by a lack of basic care, such as rust from a door that was never cleaned or an opener damaged by a door that was badly out of balance. A yearly maintenance visit helps the door last and gives you a record that it was cared for.

Asking a few clear questions before the job starts avoids confusion later. Ask any company you are considering, and get the answers in writing on your invoice or estimate.

• Which parts are you installing, and who makes them?
• What manufacturer warranty comes with each part, and does it include labor?
• Do you offer a labor or workmanship warranty, and for how long?
• What does your coverage exclude?
• Do I need to register anything with the manufacturer?
• Who do I call if something goes wrong, and how is a claim handled?

Keep the itemized invoice that lists every part installed, the brand and model, the date and the company's contact information. Keep any warranty cards or registration confirmations, and take a photo of the labels on the opener and door. If something fails later, that record makes a claim far simpler.

If you have questions about a repair or want a price before work starts, see our garage door repair page or contact us.