Last month, a Spring Branch homeowner paid $1,200 for a garage door spring that should’ve cost $300. The week before, a Katy family got talked into replacing their entire door system when all they needed was a $50 sensor adjustment. These aren’t isolated incidents – they’re part of a growing problem hitting Houston neighborhoods from The Heights to Clear Lake.
Here’s the thing about Houston: our city’s explosive growth has attracted plenty of legitimate businesses, but it’s also brought in fly-by-night operators looking to make a quick buck. Mix in our unpredictable weather (hello, hurricane season), sprawling suburbs full of garage doors, and a constant stream of new residents who don’t know which local companies to trust, and you’ve got the perfect storm for scammers.
Why Scammers Love Targeting Houston
Houston’s unique situation makes us prime targets. We’ve got more single-family homes with garages than almost any other major city. Our brutal summer heat and sudden storms put extra stress on garage door components, creating real emergencies that scammers exploit. Plus, with so many people moving here from other states, there’s always someone new who doesn’t know the reputable local companies from the sketchy ones.
The Top 7 Houston Garage Door Scams
Scam #1: The “Emergency” Spring Replacement Hustle
Here’s how this one works: A technician shows up for a simple service call, takes one look at your springs, and suddenly declares them a “ticking time bomb” that could snap at any moment. They’ll use scare tactics, maybe even bend the spring to make it look worse than it is, then quote you $800-1,200 for springs that should cost $200-400 installed.
These scammers love to strike right after our big storms. They know legitimate springs do break during extreme weather, so homeowners are already on edge. They’ll cruise neighborhoods hit by recent storms, looking for garage doors that got stressed by high winds.
Red flags: They can’t tell you the specific spring measurements, they push for immediate replacement without explaining why, or they claim “special” springs are needed for Houston’s climate.
How to avoid: Get the spring specifications (length, wire size, inside diameter) and call another company for a second opinion. Real broken springs are obvious – they’ll be visibly separated or hanging loose.
Scam #2: The Door-to-Door “Safety Inspection” Con
Picture this: A friendly person knocks on your door in your Cypress neighborhood, claiming they’re doing “free safety inspections” after installing a door down the street. They’ll check your garage door, then find numerous “dangerous” problems that need immediate fixing.
These operators specifically target Houston’s newer subdivisions and senior communities. They know new homeowners might not be familiar with their garage door systems, and older residents might be more trusting of someone who seems professional.
Red flags: Legitimate companies don’t go door-to-door offering inspections. They show up in unmarked vehicles or rental trucks. They can’t name the supposed neighbor they just helped.
How to avoid: Never let door-to-door solicitors inspect your garage door. If you want an inspection, call us at (832) 281-7032.
Scam #3: The Lowball Estimate Bait-and-Switch
You see an ad for “$29 garage door service” or “$49 tune-up special.” Sounds great, right?
But once the technician arrives at your Pearland home, suddenly everything needs replacing. That $29 call becomes a $600 repair bill, with high-pressure tactics to get you to agree on the spot.
Houston scammers often use multiple phone numbers and company names, all advertising these too-good-to-be-true prices. They’ll saturate online ads during our peak seasons – hurricane prep time and the holidays, when people want their homes looking good.
Red flags: Prices way below market rate, technicians who find multiple “critical” issues, pressure to decide immediately, and reluctance to provide written estimates.
How to avoid: Research typical Houston-area service call fees (usually $75-150). Remember, legitimate businesses can’t stay in business charging $29 for a service call that includes drive time across Houston traffic.
Scam #4: The “Insurance Will Cover It” Storm Damage Scam
After any significant Houston weather event – hurricanes, hail storms, even just heavy winds – these scammers emerge. They’ll inspect your garage door, find “storm damage” you can’t see, and offer to bill your insurance directly. They’ll inflate the claim, do minimal work, and pocket the difference.
This scam is particularly nasty in Houston because we do get real storm damage. These operators count on homeowners not knowing what legitimate storm damage looks like versus normal wear and tear.
Red flags: They approach you unsolicited after storms, push to handle insurance paperwork themselves, find damage you can’t see, or want large deposits before insurance approval.
How to avoid: Document any storm damage yourself with photos. Get multiple estimates. Work with your insurance company directly, not through the repair company.
Scam #5: The Fake Company Name Copycat Scam
This one’s sneaky. Scammers create names incredibly similar to established Houston companies. If “Easy Garage Door Repair” is a legitimate business, they’ll be “Easy Garage Door Repairs” (with ‘s’). They’ll even copy logos and truck designs.
They target online searches and phone directories, knowing people often misremember exact company names. Some even set up shop near legitimate businesses, using the established company’s reputation to gain trust.
Red flags: Slightly different company names, unfamiliarity with the established company’s history, different phone numbers than what’s on the legitimate company’s actual trucks.
How to avoid: Double-check company names and phone numbers against official websites. Look for the Texas contractor license number. Ask how long they’ve been at their Houston location.
Scam #6: The “Manufacturer Recall” Phone Scam
You get a call claiming your garage door opener has been recalled for safety issues. The caller says they’re from the manufacturer or a “certified” repair center. They’ll schedule an urgent visit, then “discover” additional problems requiring expensive repairs or full replacement.
In Houston, these callers often spoof local phone numbers and claim to be calling specific neighborhoods. They might say something like, “We’re contacting all homeowners in the Memorial area about this urgent recall.”
Red flags: Manufacturers don’t cold-call about recalls, urgency, and scare tactics, inability to provide recall documentation, and asking for credit card information over the phone.
How to avoid: Hang up and call the manufacturer directly using the number on your opener unit. Check the Consumer Product Safety Commission website for actual recalls. Never give payment information to incoming callers.
Scam #7: The Unlicensed “Handyman” Garage Door Scam
With Houston’s booming construction market, there are plenty of general handymen around. Some claim they can fix garage doors for cheap. The problem is, garage doors are specialized equipment requiring specific knowledge. An improper repair can be downright dangerous.
These unlicensed operators often work in Houston’s cash-economy neighborhoods or advertise on social media marketplaces. They’ll do work that seems fine initially but fails quickly, or worse, creates safety hazards.
Red flags: No company name or professional vehicle, cash-only payment demands, no mention of permits for major work, unfamiliarity with Houston code requirements.
How to avoid: Always verify Texas contractor licenses. Ask about Houston permit requirements for your repair. Check insurance and bonding. Remember, saving a few bucks isn’t worth risking your family’s safety.
How to Verify Legitimate Houston Companies
So, how do you separate the real deal from the scammers?
- Start with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation website. Every legitimate contractor should have a TDLR number they can provide immediately. Don’t just take their word for it – look it up online.
- Next, check the Better Business Bureau of Greater Houston. Look for companies with several years of history in our area, not just a few months. Easy Garage Door is a great example. Read the complaints and how they were resolved. Even good companies get occasional complaints, but they should be resolved professionally.
- For major work, call the City of Houston or your local permit office. Ask what permits are required for your specific repair. Legitimate companies know these requirements and factor permit costs into their estimates. If someone says permits aren’t needed for major work, that’s a huge red flag.
- Google the company’s Houston address. Do they have an actual location, or is it just a mail drop? Check how long they’ve been at that location. Look for reviews from people in your area of town – real companies have customers spread across Houston, not just generic reviews.
- Ask for references from your specific area. A company that’s been serving Houston should have happy customers in Spring, Katy, Sugar Land, and other suburbs. They should know the garage door trends in different neighborhoods.
Choose Local Houston Experts You Can Trust
Protecting yourself from garage door scams isn’t complicated once you know what to look for. Take your time, ask questions, and don’t let anyone pressure you into immediate decisions. Your garage door is an important investment in your home’s security and value – it deserves professional care from legitimate Houston companies.
When you need garage door service, look for companies with deep Houston roots. Easy Garage Door Repair stands out as a reputable and licensed garage door repair service provider in Houston that meets all local regulations. Check their licenses, read their reviews from fellow Houstonians, and make sure they understand our unique local needs. Whether you’re in River Oaks or Friendswood, you deserve honest, professional service from people who call Houston home, too.
