I called Garage Door Service company because, based on my web research, they had the best prices (several hundred less than competitors). They gave me a rough quote over the phone ($650) but said it could be a little higher depending on conditions. Then, when they came out to do the official estimate, the guy doing the estimate spent 20 minutes making up outlandish-sounding tack-on charges.
At this point the price for a new garage door installed was looking to cost about $850 dollars. This was about the same price as the other companies that I had researched, so I said what the heck (I wasn't happy but I just wanted to get it over with). Just when we were about sign the paperwork and finalize the price, the guy looks around and says "Oh wait, one more thing."
He then tells me since my old garage door is broken and only lowers half way to the ground, he'd have to tack on a "crashed door" charge. He explains that it would take extra work for the installer to lower the door to the ground before they removed it. He then tells me it would normally cost $300 but he'd give me a deal and only charge $100. The total bill at this point would be just over $1,000 (a far cry from the $650 they quoted over the phone).
I was fed up and told the guy I no longer wanted to do business with them. After they left my house, I called a different company (a small mom-and-pop shop called Don's Garage Doors). The receptionist at Don's was very friendly and told me it would cost between $810 and $975 depending on conditions. A short time later, Don, the owner of the company, was in my garage to do an estimate. Total Price: $810 with absolutely NO hidden fees. He even helped me lower my "crashed door" to the ground (it only took him 5 minutes and a minimal amount of work) at no additional charge.
Bottom line: Large chain stores like Garage Door Service Company may sound like a better deal, but in the end you pay just as much or even more and the costumer service is terrible.
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