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Access Garage Doors is now Access Garage Door & More! Same great service, now with a new name.
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FAQ

  • Access Garage Door & More

    • Well, that’s easy! Call Access Garage Door & More… Access Made Easy!

    • Different customers have different priorities regarding price, expected service life, reliability, and future maintenance. We believe our responsibility is to explain the available options and their potential value, then let the homeowner decide.
    • The Access Integrity Checklist™ is our structured checkpoint process used during applicable service visits to help technicians evaluate important components of the garage door system and identify issues that may deserve the homeowner’s attention.
    • VIP Access™ is Access Garage Door & More’s customer membership program. Benefits may include an annual AccessO™ maintenance visit, priority scheduling, exclusive discounts, and other membership benefits. Current offerings may vary by location.
    • An AccessO™ maintenance visit is a professional garage door maintenance service designed to inspect, maintain, and evaluate key components of the system to help promote reliable operation and identify developing issues before they become larger repairs. It also includes a full treatment with our proprietary AccessO Lubricant specifically designed for lubricating in environments like a garage.
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  • Garage Door Repair

    • In the garage door industry, there are many different service charge formats being used.

      Buyer beware of Low Service Quotes!

      Some companies choose to offer a low price to quote, such as $29.99. If it seems to be too good to be true, then it probably is. These operations typically overcharge on parts to make up for a lower service call. They will also have hidden fees for basic tasks associated with a repair. Not that we have anything against commission, but the technicians can often be biased in their recommendations and take advantage of the customer when you combine low entry quote formats with a commission-paid technician. Not all technicians that use this format are dishonest. Our advice is to ask more pricing scenarios at the time of order.

      In 2023, A typical residential garage door service call with a seasoned and reputable company will cost $125-$250 depending on the area and the included services. At Access, we find it’s best to set rates based on job trips and hourly time invested. This way, the customer is able to expand the scope of work they would like the technician to do while also maintaining our minimums and avoiding any kind of biased ulterior motives on behalf of the technician.

      Our garage door repair rates are typically $125-$175 for up to one trip with a 1-hour minimum, and include a full inspection, regular Access Lube & Tune, and a full safety check. Access Garage Door & More believes in treating customers with the honesty and integrity they deserve.

    • Garage door repair costs vary depending on the issue, the door size and weight, the parts required, and the amount of labor involved. Many common repairs can be completed in one visit when the technician has the proper inventory and equipment. At Access Garage Door & More, we believe in transparent pricing and explain applicable service fees and repair options before work is authorized.

    • The red handle and rope hanging from your garage door system is typically an emergency device to disengage the door system from the electric opener system. To prevent injury or damage, we never recommend using this unless it is an emergency.

      When disengaging the door, there could be damaged system components, and this could cause a very dangerous situation for you and your loved ones. Garage doors have a tremendous amount of pressure on them, and the emergency pull cord being released could cause bodily harm and property damage. Call a professional tech at Access Garage Door & More and ask for same-day service.

    • Yes. Access offers free estimates for many planned projects, replacements, and situations where physical diagnostic or repair work is not required. A service call is different. When a trained technician is dispatched to diagnose a malfunction, perform physical work, secure a damaged door, or engineer a repair solution, a professional service fee may apply.

    • Garage Doors have evolved substantially over time. In 2023, the replacement of 2 single-car residential garage doors will typically range from $5,400 to $9,110. Replacing one double-wide residential garage door will typically range from $4,445 to $7,945. Of course, these prices could be more affordable if downgraded to contractor-grade doors that Access Garage Door & More has in stock.

      Nowadays, most garage doors that are installed are custom. The word custom in relation to garage doors does not equate to added cost or expense. It means you get to design your garage doors the way you want and Access Garage Door & More takes care of the rest. Pick your material, color, design, windows (lites), insulation grade, hardware, and track trajectory. Our design specialists will assist you with every step during our free onsite estimate while utilizing our rolling showroom.

    • A free estimate is generally used to evaluate and price planned work. A service call involves sending a trained and equipped technician to diagnose a problem, perform work, test the garage door system, or make the door safe and secure. In many repair situations, physical work is necessary before the correct repair can even be determined.
    • Many can. Access service vehicles are strategically stocked with commonly used repair components to help technicians complete many repairs during the first visit. However, unusual parts, custom springs, replacement door sections, or specialty components may require a return visit.
    • Our philosophy is to price repair before replacement whenever practical. A professional technician can evaluate the condition of the door, availability of replacement sections, structural damage, age, safety, and repair cost before recommending replacement. Sometimes replacement is the best option, but it should not automatically be the first recommendation.
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  • Broken Garage Door Spring

    • It is not recommended to adjust garage door springs unless you are a trained and possibly even certified garage door technician. Spring systems and other components that work in association with them can cause major bodily harm and property damage. Call us to get professional service and repairs the same day in most cases.
    • Professional torsion spring repairs generally cost a few hundred dollars, but the actual price varies based on door weight, spring specifications, number of springs, cycle-life options, labor, market, and other conditions. Garage door springs are not one-size-fits-all, so an accurate price may require evaluation of the actual door.
    • Sometimes that is appropriate, but the spring currently installed may not necessarily be the correct spring for the door as it exists today. Door weight can change over time due to added reinforcement, replacement sections, previous repairs, or incorrect prior spring installation. A professional technician should evaluate and properly counterbalance the current garage door.
    • Garage door springs counterbalance the weight of the door. The electric garage door opener is not intended to lift the full dead weight of the garage door by itself. When properly balanced, the opener guides the door through its travel while the springs offset most of the door’s weight.
    • No. Garage door springs operate under significant tension, and improper handling can cause serious injury. Incorrect spring selection can also leave the door improperly balanced, which may create additional safety concerns and unnecessary stress on the opener and other components.
    • In many cases, yes. Access has the ability to custom-manufacture certain garage door springs when an unusual spring is required. This can often shorten the wait compared with ordering a specialty spring from an outside supplier, although custom manufacturing and a return visit may involve additional cost.
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  • Vehicle vs. Garage Door

    • Stay clear of the garage door and call a professional. A vehicle impact can damage sections, tracks, rollers, cables, springs, and other components, and the door may be under unusual forces. Do not attempt to force the door open or closed or begin disassembling it yourself.
    • Sometimes. Garage door sections vary by manufacturer, model, size, color, design, insulation, age, and construction. Access technicians can work through an established supplier network to identify and source exact replacement sections when they are still available.
    • If an exact section is no longer available, the technician may evaluate whether reinforcement is appropriate. If a safe and reasonable repair is not possible, replacement of the garage door may ultimately be recommended.
    • If you have multiple doors visible beside each other, a new replacement door may complement the existing door without matching it exactly. Differences in age, fading, panel design, color, texture, or current manufacturing specifications can affect appearance.
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  • Garage Door Opener

    • Access Garage Door & More repair professionals supply customers with many different types and sizes of garage door electric openers. Our openers are available in different power ratings to allow for use on lightweight doors to extremely heavy garage doors. Nowadays, we have many different convenience standard features and optional accessories available, including an app that will enable you to monitor and operate your garage door from almost anywhere.

      Access prides itself on always offering repair versus replace options. In 2023, replacing a residential electric garage door opener typically cost $545 to $1,005 with professional installation included. 

    • Professionally installed residential garage door opener systems commonly start at a cost of 500.00 installed, with the final price depending on the opener type, rail, door size, features, installation requirements, accessories, removal of the old opener, and market. Premium wall-mount systems may cost more.

    • In 1993, Underwriter Laboratories (UL) started requiring that all garage door openers have sensors that could be attached at the bottom of the garage door system to help prevent the door from coming down on someone or something. If your door is not coming down after momentary contact with your wall activation button, the photo eye sensors could be the problem, and they simply need to be dusted or adjusted. This is typically the ONLY repair associated with a garage door that will not require a professional garage door technician.

      Simply make sure nothing is blocking these sensors on each side of the door from seeing each other. Dust off the lens on each. Aim them at each other until you see a steady indicator light with no blinking or flickering. One of these sensors is usually the “sending eye” and its indicator light stays lit constantly if wired correctly to the opener head unit. The other sensor is usually the “receiving eye” and will not be lit if it does not see the other one due to being out of line or not wired correctly to the opener head unit.

    • Not necessarily. The goal is to properly match the opener and rail system to the application. An undersized opener may be unnecessarily stressed, while buying the largest opener available may provide no meaningful benefit for a lighter door.
    • One possible cause is improper chain tension, sometimes referred to as “chain slap.” Other causes can include worn rollers, loose hardware, poor door balance, vibration, or an older AC-powered opener. A professional technician can determine where the noise is actually coming from.
    • Battery backup can be valuable during power outages, especially if the garage is a primary entrance or there is no convenient secondary access. It allows compatible openers to operate for a limited period when household power is unavailable.
    • They are better for some applications, but not every garage. Wall-mount systems can provide more ceiling space and a clean appearance, but they have specific requirements related to the torsion shaft, cable tension, door balance, tracks, and installation clearances.
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  • Garage Door Opener Accessory

    • Many compatible multi-door wireless keypads can be programmed to control more than one garage door opener. This can help avoid paying for separate keypads when one device will meet the homeowner’s needs.
    • Yes. Some LED bulbs can produce radio-frequency interference that reduces the range of garage door remotes or wireless keypads. Garage-door-opener-rated LED bulbs are designed to minimize interference and withstand the vibration and conditions commonly found in garages.
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  • Pricing and Transparency

    • A service fee helps support the cost of sending a trained technician in a professionally equipped and stocked vehicle to perform diagnostic and repair work. Access prefers to disclose service pricing rather than relying on unusually low promotional fees and recovering the cost later through other charges.
    • No. An incorrectly performed repair can fail prematurely or create additional stress on other garage door components. Long-term value includes proper diagnosis, correct parts, professional installation, warranty support, and the expected service life of the repair.
    • Prices can vary because doors differ in size, weight, design, spring requirements, track systems, hardware, age, accessibility, and required parts. Company training standards, warranties, technician experience, service infrastructure, and geographic market also affect pricing.
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  • Rolling Curtain Systems

    • Rolling Curtain Systems are retractable products designed to provide insect protection, shade, privacy, weather protection, or greater control over indoor and outdoor spaces. Access Garage Door & More offers premium roll-up screens, shades, vinyl systems, large-opening screens, side-rolling screens, and retractable entry-door screen systems.
    • Yes. While insect protection is one of their biggest benefits, premium retractable screens can also help reduce wind-driven rain, light snow, airborne dust, pollen, leaves, and other outdoor debris from entering your space. The amount of protection depends on the screen material, weather conditions, and application. For even greater weather protection, Access also offers rolling shade and vinyl options designed to help make patios, porches, decks, and other outdoor spaces more comfortable and usable.
    • Certain motorized systems can be integrated with compatible smart-home or automation platforms. Available technology varies by product and motor package, so an Access representative can explain the current options.
    • Yes. Rolling Curtain Systems are typically planned projects, so a free professional estimate and consultation is usually the appropriate first step. Our representative can evaluate the opening, take measurements, review materials and options, and prepare a proposal.
    • Absolutely. We prefer to start by understanding what problem you are trying to solve, whether that is insects, afternoon sun, glare, privacy, wind, or weather protection, and then recommend the material and system that best fits the space.
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  • Overhead Storage Systems

    • Access offers several levels of overhead storage, including heavy-duty stationary ceiling racks, drill-operated platform hoists, motorized overhead storage platforms, motorized attic lifts, and smart-controlled motorized platform systems. The right solution depends on what you want to store, how frequently you need access to it, your ceiling height, and the structure of the space.
    • Weight capacities vary significantly by product, size, mounting method, and structure. Some of the heavy-duty stationary systems offered in this category are rated for distributed loads approaching 1,000 pounds. The supporting structure and installation are just as important as the rack's stated capacity.
    • Accessibility is the biggest difference. A stationary rack is an economical way to create overhead storage, but you generally need a ladder to load and retrieve items. A lifting platform brings your storage down to you, making it particularly attractive for frequently accessed totes, heavier items, and homeowners who want to minimize carrying objects up and down a ladder.
    • Yes—and this is one of our favorite overhead storage solutions. A properly designed attic lift can raise the storage platform and its contents through the ceiling opening so the platform is stored above the finished ceiling in the attic. When you need your belongings again, the platform lowers back into the space below. Current premium systems can handle loads of several hundred pounds depending on configuration.
    • Think about how frequently you'll access the items and how much convenience you want. Stationary racks provide straightforward heavy-duty storage, drill-operated lifts bring the platform down without the expense of a dedicated motor, and fully motorized systems provide the greatest convenience for frequently accessed or heavier storage.
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