Frequently Asked Questions
Honest answers to the questions we hear most from Bay Area homeowners. Can't find what you're looking for? Call us at (888) 485-6995 — we're happy to help.
General
The basics about Integrity Garage Doors & Gates — who we are, where we work, and what we stand behind.
Integrity Garage Doors & Gates has been serving the Bay Area since 2009. That gives us over 15 years of hands-on experience with residential and commercial garage doors and gates. Our lead technicians have worked on thousands of doors across Hayward, Oakland, Fremont, San Jose, and the surrounding cities.
Yes, we are fully licensed and insured in the state of California. We carry both general liability insurance and workers' compensation coverage to protect your property and our crew on every job. Any legitimate garage door company should be willing to show proof of insurance — we're happy to provide ours upon request.
We serve the entire San Francisco Bay Area, including Hayward, Oakland, San Francisco, Fremont, San Jose, Berkeley, Concord, and all surrounding cities within a 50-mile radius of our Hayward headquarters. East Bay cities tend to get the fastest response times since that's where we're based.
Absolutely. We provide free, no-obligation estimates for all of our services. For most repairs, our technician can diagnose the issue and give you an exact quote right on the spot. For larger projects like new door installations or gate systems, we'll come out, take measurements, and walk you through your options with pricing before you commit to anything.
We work with all major garage door and opener brands including Clopay, Amarr, Wayne Dalton, CHI, LiftMaster, Chamberlain, Genie, and Linear. We also service less common brands without issue. When it comes to new installations, we'll recommend the best brand and model based on your budget, style preference, and the specific needs of your garage opening.
Yes, every job we complete comes with a warranty on both parts and labor. The exact warranty length depends on the service — spring replacements come with a parts warranty based on the spring cycle rating, and new door installations include the manufacturer's warranty plus our own labor guarantee. We stand behind our work, and if something isn't right, we'll come back and make it right.
Repair
Common questions about garage door repairs, costs, and what to do when something goes wrong.
Most garage door repairs in the Bay Area range from $169 for a standard tune-up to $608 for a full spring replacement. The exact cost depends on what's broken and what parts are needed. We always provide an upfront quote before any work begins — no hidden fees, no surprise charges. What we quote is what you pay.
Yes, we offer same-day repair service throughout the Bay Area. Call us before noon and we can typically have a technician at your door the same afternoon. We carry the most common parts — springs, rollers, cables, hinges, and opener components — on every truck, so most repairs are completed in a single visit without waiting on parts.
First, check the obvious things: make sure the opener is plugged in, the remote batteries aren't dead, and the wall button works. If you have a keypad, try that too. Look up at the springs above the door — if one is visibly broken (you'll see a gap in the coil), do not try to open the door manually. Call us at (888) 485-6995 and we'll get a technician out to you quickly.
Grinding noises are usually caused by worn-out rollers, dry bearings, or misaligned tracks. Metal rollers are the most common culprit — they wear down over time and start grinding against the track. Upgrading to nylon rollers ($270 installed for a full set) eliminates the noise and runs much quieter. If the grinding is coming from the opener, the drive gear may be wearing out.
In many cases, yes. If a single panel is dented or damaged, we can often replace just that section without swapping out the whole door. The key factor is whether the manufacturer still makes that panel style and color. If your door is older and the panel has been discontinued, we'll let you know your options, which may include a full door replacement or a close-match panel.
Common signs of misaligned tracks include the door binding or sticking partway up, visible gaps between the rollers and the track, scraping sounds, or the door appearing crooked when it moves. You might also notice the door doesn't seal evenly at the bottom. Don't try to bend the tracks yourself — improper adjustment can make things worse. Give us a call and we'll get them straightened out properly.
A door that reverses when closing is almost always a safety sensor issue. Check the two small sensors at the bottom of the door tracks — their indicator lights should be solid (usually green). If one is blinking, the sensors are misaligned or something is blocking the beam. Wipe the lenses clean and make sure nothing is in the way. If that doesn't fix it, the sensors or the opener's logic board may need attention.
We recommend a professional tune-up once a year. During a tune-up, we lubricate all moving parts, tighten hardware, test the balance, check the spring tension, and inspect the safety features. Regular maintenance extends the life of your springs, rollers, and opener — and it catches small problems before they turn into expensive repairs. Our annual tune-up runs $169.
Installation
Everything you need to know before getting a new garage door installed.
A new garage door in the Bay Area typically ranges from $1,200 to $4,500+ installed, depending on the size, material, and insulation level you choose. A basic single-layer steel door is on the lower end, while a fully insulated, carriage-style or modern aluminum-and-glass door will be higher. We provide free in-home estimates so you can see exactly what your specific door will cost with no guesswork.
A standard single-car garage door installation takes about 3 to 4 hours. A double-car door usually takes 4 to 5 hours. That includes removing the old door, installing the new one, setting up the tracks and hardware, balancing the springs, and programming the opener. We handle everything in one visit and always clean up when we're done.
Yes, most of our installations go onto existing frames. As long as the framing and header are structurally sound, we can fit a new door into your current opening. During the estimate, we'll inspect the frame, measure the opening, and check the headroom and side room to make sure everything will work. If any framing needs reinforcement, we'll let you know upfront.
It depends on your priorities. Steel is the most popular choice — it's durable, low-maintenance, and comes in a huge range of styles. Wood looks beautiful but requires more upkeep. Aluminum with glass panels gives you a modern look and lets in natural light. For Bay Area weather, an insulated steel door is what we recommend most often. It handles the temperature swings well and keeps energy costs down.
Yes, removal of the old door is included in every installation. We take down the existing door, tracks, springs, and hardware, and haul everything away so you don't have to deal with it. Your garage will be clean and ready to go when we leave. The removal cost is built into the installation price — it's never an extra charge.
Absolutely. According to the Remodeling Magazine Cost vs. Value report, a new garage door replacement consistently ranks as one of the top home improvement projects for return on investment — often recovering 90% or more of its cost at resale. Beyond the numbers, a new door dramatically improves curb appeal, which matters a lot when buyers are forming first impressions.
Springs
Springs are the most common garage door repair. Here's what every homeowner should know.
Our standard torsion spring replacement starts at $608 for a pair, installed with warranty. That price includes both springs, all hardware, a full balance adjustment, and a safety inspection. We always replace both springs even if only one broke — the other one has the same wear and will fail soon. Replacing both saves you from paying for a second service call.
Garage door springs break from metal fatigue caused by repeated use. A standard spring is rated for about 10,000 cycles — that's roughly 7 to 10 years of normal use with 3 to 4 openings per day. Temperature changes, rust, and lack of lubrication can shorten the lifespan. It's not a matter of if a spring will break, but when. Regular maintenance helps you get the most life out of them.
We strongly recommend against it, and here's why: if one spring broke, the other one has the exact same amount of wear and is close to failing too. Replacing just one spring creates an imbalance — the new spring is stronger than the old one, which puts uneven stress on the door and the opener. We always replace both springs as a pair to ensure balanced, safe operation.
Standard torsion springs last about 7 to 10 years with normal daily use, which translates to roughly 10,000 cycles. High-cycle springs, which we install as our standard, are rated for 25,000 to 50,000 cycles and can last 15 to 20 years. The actual lifespan depends on usage frequency, maintenance, and climate. Annual lubrication and tune-ups help maximize spring life.
Yes, a broken spring is dangerous and should be treated seriously. Torsion springs are under extreme tension — when one breaks, it releases a tremendous amount of energy. If you hear a loud bang from your garage, that's likely a spring snapping. Never attempt to open the door manually or operate the opener with a broken spring. The door is significantly heavier without spring support and can cause serious injury. Call a professional.
Openers
Questions about garage door openers, smart features, and troubleshooting.
A quality belt-drive opener with Wi-Fi connectivity, battery backup, and full installation runs about $1,075 at Integrity. Chain-drive models are a bit less. That price includes the opener unit, mounting hardware, safety sensors, wall button, two remotes, keypad programming, and removal of the old unit. We install LiftMaster and Chamberlain openers, which are the most reliable brands in the industry.
Belt-drive openers are significantly quieter than chain drives, which makes them the better choice if you have living space above or next to the garage. Chain drives are a bit more affordable and just as reliable — they're just louder. For most Bay Area homeowners, we recommend a belt drive because the noise difference is substantial. If your garage is detached and noise doesn't matter, a chain drive saves you a few bucks.
Yes. Most modern openers come with built-in Wi-Fi and a companion app — LiftMaster uses the myQ app, for example. You can open, close, and monitor your garage door from anywhere using your smartphone. You also get real-time alerts if the door is left open. If your current opener doesn't have Wi-Fi, we can often add a retrofit smart module without replacing the whole unit.
A quality garage door opener typically lasts 12 to 15 years with normal use. The motor, drive mechanism, and logic board are the components that wear out over time. If your opener is making unusual noises, struggling to lift the door, or losing its programming, it may be nearing the end of its life. Sometimes a repair is all you need, but if the unit is over 12 years old, replacement is usually the smarter investment.
Start with the battery — that's the cause about 80% of the time. Pop open the back of the remote and replace the battery (usually a CR2032 coin cell). If a fresh battery doesn't fix it, try reprogramming the remote to the opener using the learn button on the back of the motor unit. If neither works, the remote itself may be faulty. We carry replacement remotes for all major brands on our trucks.
Gates
Driveway gates, automation, intercoms, and ongoing maintenance — covered.
Yes, we install both driveway and pedestrian gates. We work with wrought iron, steel, wood, and aluminum gate materials in swing and sliding configurations. Every gate installation includes the motor, safety sensors, and your choice of access control — keypads, intercoms, remote controls, or phone-based systems. We handle the full project from design through final programming.
That depends on the gate type, size, and weight. Swing gates use arm-style or underground operators, while slide gates use a rack-and-pinion motor mounted along the track. Heavier gates need more powerful motors. During the estimate, we'll assess your gate and driveway layout and recommend the right motor with enough power to handle the load reliably for years.
In most cases, yes. If your manual swing or slide gate is structurally sound and properly balanced, we can retrofit a motor, safety sensors, and access control onto it. We'll need to inspect the gate in person to make sure the hinges, posts, and track (for slide gates) can handle the motorized operation. Adding automation to an existing gate is often significantly less expensive than a full gate replacement.
Gate intercoms let visitors communicate with you from the driveway and allow you to open the gate remotely. Modern systems include video so you can see who's at the gate. Many now connect to your smartphone via Wi-Fi, so you can answer from anywhere — even when you're not home. We install both hardwired and wireless intercom systems that integrate seamlessly with the gate motor.
Automated gates should be serviced at least once a year. That includes lubricating hinges and moving parts, checking the motor and drive mechanism, testing safety sensors and auto-reverse, inspecting the wiring and control board, and cleaning the track for slide gates. Regular maintenance prevents breakdowns and keeps the gate operating safely. We offer annual gate maintenance plans for Bay Area homeowners.
Emergency
When your garage door or gate needs urgent attention, here's what to expect.
Our pricing stays transparent even for urgent calls. We don't tack on surprise emergency fees, but after-hours and weekend calls may carry a slightly higher rate due to technician availability. We'll always tell you the price before we start any work, so there are no surprises. If your garage door is stuck open or your family's security is at risk, call us at (888) 485-6995 and we'll get someone out fast.
A garage door emergency is any situation where your home security or personal safety is at risk. Common examples include a door stuck wide open that won't close, a door that fell off the tracks, a broken spring with a car trapped inside, or a door that slammed shut unexpectedly. If your garage is your main entry point and the door isn't functioning, that qualifies too — we take it seriously.
For emergency calls in the Bay Area, we aim to have a technician on-site within 60 to 90 minutes during business hours. East Bay cities like Hayward, Oakland, and Fremont typically see the fastest response since we're based in Hayward. After-hours emergencies depend on technician availability, but we do our best to respond the same evening whenever possible.
If your car is stuck inside the garage because of a broken spring or a door that won't open, do not try to force the door up manually — a standard garage door without spring support weighs 150 to 250 pounds and can cause serious injury. Call us at (888) 485-6995 and let us know it's urgent. We prioritize trapped-vehicle calls and will get a technician to you as quickly as possible.
Still Have Questions?
Our team is here to help. Call us directly or send us a message — we'll get back to you with a straight answer, not a sales pitch.