Pro Tips to Prepare for Garage Door Installation

You have many reasons to hire a garage door installation professional, but it’s up to you to prepare for the big day. The installation process takes a few hours, but it will be easy if you follow our tips.  Readying your home allows our technicians to work more quickly and efficiently.

These suggestions can help make garage door installation a more positive experience:

Move Vehicles Out of the Garage

The installers cannot work if cars are in your garage. Vehicles are usually parked under where the opener, springs, and tracks are. It’s best to move your car out before the installers arrive. Otherwise, they must wait for it to be moved and may charge for the extra time.

Plan on where to store your car in advance to make things easier. For example, look for street parking near your home or find a safe location on your property. Your vehicle should also be kept away from the garage opening. This is where the installer will need to position their vehicle and bring in equipment and tools.

Clear All Stored Items Out of the Space

Clear out your garage if possible. Aside from vehicles, move boxes, tools, machinery, furniture, and equipment to another area. The garage door installation team must maneuver around the space while they set up and install parts of the door and garage door opener. 

If there’s no room for them elsewhere, move items to the rear of the garage. Lawnmowers and other yard equipment, sports equipment, garbage cans, and other items can be stored in the back of the room if necessary. We recommend having at least 14 feet of clearance from the garage door opening toward the back. This gives the installer room to work as they remove the existing system and assemble the new one.

Have a Safe Place for Children and Pets

Children are naturally curious and garage door installation can look fascinating to them. However, they’re often unaware of safety concerns. Playing in the garage area or being near heavy equipment, power tools, springs or other components is dangerous. That’s not to say a friendly installer won’t show a child a tool or answer a question. But generally, only the installation team should be in the garage.

Also, do not let pets roam freely around the installation area. Even the most friendly pet can cause a worker to trip. Or, an installer may drop something or leave it on the floor, which can endanger the animal if it decides to chew on it. Therefore, keep pets in a secure room or make arrangements with a family member or neighbor if you can’t find one.

Measure the Garage Door Opening

Taking measurements before garage door installation can help you understand the project’s requirements. It also helps communicate with the customer service and installation team. While the technicians will perform accurate measurements, you can prepare in advance by measuring the following:

• The width and height of the space where the door will go.
• The width on the right and left sides of the door opening.
• The distance from the top of the opening to the ceiling (headroom).
• The depth of the room, from the door opening to the back of the garage.

Determine If There’s a Nearby Electrical Outlet

Check for nearby outlets. The garage door opener must plug into one to receive power. A standard 120-volt outlet is suited for an opener, but depending on the system’s power rating, you may need an electrician to install a dedicated circuit. 

Decide Where to Put the Console/Entry Pad

The garage door isn’t the only component you must account for. And, aside from the opener, think about where the wall console or keyless entry pad will go. Control consoles are usually placed on the wall near the door you enter the garage (from inside your home). Keyless entry pads are typically installed on the left side of the exterior jamb, about five feet high. 

The installer may be able to match your preferences. Therefore, discuss location options in advance. Before the team arrives, make sure nothing is blocking the walls where controllers will be placed.

Choose a Location for the Garage Door Opener

If you’ve never had an automatic system, select a place for the opener before the garage door installation team arrives. Otherwise, you’ll have to discuss with them possible locations and then prepare the area. You can keep things simpler by planning. Look for a suitable area, preferably one near an electrical outlet or accessible via an extension cord. If shelving, boxes, or furniture are in the way, move them before installation begins.

Let Your Neighbors Know

Installing a garage door requires a lot of space for equipment and vehicles. It can also be noisy. If your home is close to other houses and apartments, inform your neighbors about your intentions. This way, they won’t be caught off-guard by the noise, and if the crew needs more space in adjacent areas, a friendly neighbor can be ready to accommodate them.

Ensure Easy Access to Your Property

The garage door installers will be going back and forth for several hours. Make sure vehicles have been moved out of your driveway and any walkways near your home have no obstructions that can block their path. The contractors should also have a clear path from their vehicle to the installation site. This gives them room to position the door and set up the required tools and materials.

Prepare Questions in Advance

Open communication helps address your concerns. It also reveals specific project requirements and enables each party to be aware of last-minute changes. Preparing questions in advance can help the installation process go smoother.

Questions you should ask the company and its technicians include the following:

• How long have you been installing garage doors?
• Can I review samples of previous work from your portfolio?
• What type of liability insurance do you have?
• Does your installation service come with a warranty?
• How long will the garage door installation process take?
• Can you detail every cost in your quote?
• What garage door options do you recommend?
• Which manufacturers do you work with?
• How much can I save by insulating the door?
• Will you remove/dispose of my old garage door?
• Should I replace my garage door opener as well?
• Do I need to be home during installation?
• Do you provide emergency repair services?

It also helps to know the door’s features in advance. If possible, obtain the user manual before the installation. It can help you understand the system and determine what to ask when the installers arrive.

Schedule Garage Door Installation Today

At Mesa Garage Doors, we offer next-day installation on many products. Our specialists are trained and equipped to install carriage house, custom wood, high-strength aluminum, steel, and other types of garage doors of all sizes. Contact us, request a free estimate, or call (800) 893-1107 for customized service in Southern California.