You need your garage door fixed, and you need it fixed now. Your car is stuck inside, or worse, your door won't close and your home is exposed. In that moment of stress, it's easy to hire the first company that answers the phone. But that urgency is exactly what scammers count on.
The garage door repair industry has a real problem with fraudulent operators. Fake companies set up temporary operations, collect payment via Venmo or Zelle, and disappear. Others are legitimate businesses that simply overcharge desperate homeowners by 200% or more.
Did You Know? Homeowners lose between $500 and $5,000 per incident to garage door repair scams, with payment fraud through apps like Venmo becoming increasingly common.
This guide walks you through six critical red flags that signal a company might be unreliable, overpriced, or outright fraudulent. Knowing what to watch for protects both your wallet and your home. When you're ready to hire, our Contractor Reviews & Rankings page connects you with vetted providers who've passed these tests.
Missing or Unverifiable License and Insurance
A legitimate garage door contractor carries a state contractor license and proof of insurance. This isn't optional paperwork. It's your protection when something goes wrong. If a technician gets injured on your property and the company lacks workers' compensation insurance, you could be liable. If they damage your car or home and have no general liability coverage, you're paying out of pocket.
The red flag appears when you ask to see credentials and get evasive answers. "We're working on renewing it" or "I'll email that to you later" often means they don't have proper licensing. Call their bluff. Ask for the license number and verify it directly with your state contractor board.
Legitimate companies carry at least $1 million in general liability insurance and workers' compensation coverage. They'll provide certificates without hesitation because they know informed customers are better customers. Our guide on how to choose a reliable garage door repair company explains exactly which credentials to verify before signing any contract.
| What to Verify | Where to Check | Red Flag Response |
|---|---|---|
| State contractor license | State licensing board website | "I don't have it with me" or delays |
| General liability ($1M+) | Request certificate of insurance | Refusal or can't provide |
| Workers' compensation | Insurance certificate | "My guys are independent contractors" |
| BBB accreditation | Better Business Bureau website | No listing or F rating |
Suspicious Reviews Across Multiple Platforms
Fake reviews follow predictable patterns. A company suddenly has 20 five-star Google reviews, all posted within the same week, using nearly identical language. Or their Google rating is 4.9 stars while their BBB grade is a C due to unresolved complaints. These mismatches tell you something is wrong.
Real businesses accumulate reviews gradually. They get some four-star ratings mixed in with fives because nobody pleases everyone perfectly. The reviews mention specific details like technician names, particular problems solved, or how long the repair took. Generic praise like "great service, very professional" repeated across multiple reviews suggests fabrication.
Expert Advice: Cross-reference ratings from Google, BBB, Angi, and Yelp before hiring. A company that maintains strong scores across all four platforms is far more trustworthy than one that's perfect on just one site.
This is exactly why our platform aggregates reviews from multiple trusted sources. We combine Google, BBB, Angi, and Yelp ratings into a single composite score that's much harder to manipulate. When you see a contractor ranked highly in our system, you know their reputation is consistent across platforms. Visit our Contractor Reviews & Rankings page to see how multi-source verification works.
Aggressive Pricing Tactics and Hidden Fees
A broken spring doesn't automatically mean you need a complete door replacement, but some contractors will tell you it does. They skip the diagnosis, declare your entire system unsafe, and push for a $3,000 replacement when a $250 spring repair would solve the problem.
Watch for contractors who immediately quote the most expensive option without explaining alternatives. Legitimate technicians assess the situation, explain what's actually broken, and present you with options at different price points. They don't pressure you to decide on the spot or offer "today only" discounts that expire if you don't sign immediately.
Hidden fees appear in several forms. A "diagnostic fee" of $75 that turns into $150 once they arrive. An "emergency service charge" that wasn't mentioned on the phone. Parts marked up 300% above retail prices without disclosure. Get everything in writing before work begins.
| Service Type | Fair Price Range | Red Flag Price | What to Question |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring replacement | $200-$500 | Over $800 | Why so high? What brand? |
| Opener repair | $150-$400 | Over $600 | Is replacement really needed? |
| Cable replacement | $150-$300 | Over $500 | Are other repairs bundled in? |
| Full door replacement | $2,000-$4,700 | Over $6,000 | Can't we repair instead? |
For detailed pricing on the most common repair, check our garage door spring replacement cost guide to know what fair pricing looks like in your area.
Upfront Payment Demands and Sketchy Payment Methods
No legitimate contractor asks for full payment before starting work. The standard industry practice is a small deposit (10-30% for larger jobs) with the balance due upon completion. When someone demands 100% upfront, especially through Venmo, Zelle, or cash only, you're likely dealing with a scammer.
These payment apps offer no buyer protection. Once you send money, it's gone. Scammers know this. They'll create urgency ("I need payment now to order your parts") or offer discounts for immediate payment. Legitimate companies accept credit cards and checks because they're not afraid of paper trails.
Safety Note: A 50% deposit is the maximum you should pay upfront, and only for custom door orders requiring special manufacturing. Standard repairs should require no more than 25% down.
Be especially wary of pressure to pay before you see a detailed written estimate. "I'll write it up after you approve the work" means you have no documentation of what you agreed to pay. Professional contractors provide itemized quotes showing parts, labor, and any additional fees before asking for payment.
Poor Communication and Pressure Sales
You call for an estimate and they say "someone will be there between 8am and 5pm." That nine-hour window isn't a schedule, it's disrespect for your time. Professional companies provide arrival windows of two to three hours maximum. They call if they're running late. They show up when promised.
Watch how they respond to your questions. Do they explain what's wrong in terms you understand, or do they use technical jargon to confuse you? Do they listen to your concerns, or do they interrupt with sales pitches? Do they pressure you to decide immediately, or do they encourage you to get multiple quotes?
The "today only" discount is a classic pressure tactic. So is the contractor who says "I can start right now if you commit" before providing a written estimate. Quality contractors are busy enough that they don't need these tricks. They're confident their work quality and fair pricing will earn your business.
Companies serving areas like Detroit metro compete on reliability and responsiveness. They guarantee arrival times, return calls promptly, and follow up after the job to ensure you're satisfied. That's the baseline you should expect everywhere.
Conclusion
Three red flags should stop you cold: missing or unverifiable licensing and insurance, pricing that's far above market rates without clear justification, and review patterns that don't match across multiple platforms. Any one of these signals serious problems.
Protecting yourself comes down to doing basic verification before hiring. Check their license with your state board. Compare their pricing against fair market ranges. Look up their ratings on Google, BBB, Angi, and Yelp to ensure consistency. These steps take 15 minutes and can save you thousands.
Our vetted contractor directory does much of this verification work for you by aggregating scores from multiple review platforms and highlighting companies that meet professional standards. When your garage door breaks, you'll have trusted options ready instead of gambling on whoever answers the phone first.
FAQs
How can I verify if a garage door repair company is legitimate?
Request their state contractor license number and verify it directly with your state licensing board website. Ask for certificates of insurance showing at least $1 million in general liability coverage and workers' compensation. Legitimate companies provide these documents immediately without excuses or delays. Cross-check their business listing with the Better Business Bureau to see their rating and complaint history.
What are common pricing red flags in garage door repair?
Watch for contractors who immediately recommend full door replacement without diagnosing the problem first. Spring repairs quoted above $800, opener repairs over $600, or vague estimates with hidden fees signal overcharging. Beware of "today only" discounts and pressure to decide immediately. Get itemized written quotes showing parts and labor costs separately before agreeing to any work.
How do I spot fake garage door company reviews?
Look for clusters of five-star reviews posted within the same week using similar generic language like "great service, very professional." Check multiple platforms (Google, BBB, Angi, Yelp) for consistency. A 4.9 Google rating with a BBB C-grade indicates manipulation. Authentic reviews mention specific details like technician names, exact problems solved, and gradual accumulation over time.
What payment methods should I avoid with garage door repairs?
Never pay 100% upfront or use Venmo, Zelle, or cash-only methods that lack buyer protection. Standard practice is 10-30% deposit with balance due after completion. Be suspicious of contractors demanding immediate payment to "order parts" or offering discounts for upfront cash. Legitimate companies accept credit cards and checks because they aren't avoiding paper trails.