Ask The Pros: Real Answers from Local Experts
“Who is actually coming to my house?”
It is the most common worry homeowners have. In an industry full of confusing call centers and subcontractors, Coppell Garage Door Pros does things differently. We are a tight-knit team of local professionals.
We don’t use scripts. We use experience.
Below, we have gathered the toughest, most frequent questions we receive in the field. We sat down with our Owner, Lead Technicians, and Dispatch Manager to give you the honest, unfiltered answers you deserve.
Mark Stevens | Founder & Owner
Mark, how do I know I’m getting a fair price? I’ve heard horror stories.
Why should I hire you instead of a big national franchise?
Are your technicians sub-contractors or employees?
Mark: “They are W-2 employees. This is huge. Sub-contractors get paid by the job, so they are incentivized to rush. My guys are hourly employees with performance bonuses for quality, not speed. They drive our trucks, wear our uniforms, and I cover their insurance.”
What happens if something breaks again after you leave?
Are you fully insured?
“Yes. We carry $2 Million in General Liability insurance and full Workers’ Compensation. If a heavy garage door accidentally falls on your car during a repair (which has never happened, but still), you are fully protected. Never hire a ‘guy with a truck’ who doesn’t have insurance.”
Need a second opinion on a quote?
I review every major estimate personally. If you think a price isn’t fair or you have a complex commercial project, email me directly at mark@coppellgaragedoorpros.com. I read every message. or call (972) 914-4863 (Ask for Mark)
David Ross | Residential Service Tech
David, I heard a loud 'BANG' and the door won't lift. What do I do?
Can I just buy a spring online and replace it myself?
Why is my garage door making a grinding noise?
My wall button is blinking and the remote won't work. Why?
How often should I lube my garage door?
Not sure what’s broken?
Snap a photo of your broken spring, or record a short video of the noise your door makes. I can usually tell you exactly what’s wrong just by looking at it. so send me an email to DavidR@coppellgaragedoorpros.com or call 972) 914-4863 (Ask to speak with a Tech)
Carlos Mendez | Lead Gate Technician
My gate opens but refuses to close. Is the motor fried?
Carlos: “90% of the time, the motor is fine. This is a Safety Sensor (Photo-Eye) issue. If leaves, spiders, or mud block the sensor lens, the gate thinks a car is in the way and stays open to prevent a crash. Wipe the lenses with a dry cloth first. If the sensor lights are solid (not blinking), try the remote again.”
Why does my gate open by itself at night? ("Phantom Opening")
Carlos: “This is usually caused by one of three things: 1) Radio interference from a neighbor’s device. 2) Moisture getting into a cracked control box and shorting the circuit. 3) A faulty ‘Exit Loop’ sensor in your driveway that thinks a car is approaching. I have scanners to diagnose exactly which one it is.”
Can I open my gate manually if the power goes out?
Carlos: “Yes. Every operator has a manual release. For LiftMaster swing gates, there is a key slot on the arm, turn it 180 degrees to detach the arm. For Sliding Gates, there is usually a handle or foot pedal inside the motor box. I can show you exactly how to use yours during a service call.”
Is Solar power reliable for gates in Coppell?
Carlos: “Yes, IF you have the right setup. Cheap kits fail in winter. I install 20-Watt Panels and Dual 35Ah Marine Batteries. This gives you ‘7-Day Autonomy,’ meaning your gate will run for a full week even in total darkness. If you don’t have that battery capacity, you’ll get stuck.”
How do I keep ants out of my control box?
Carlos: “Ants love the heat from circuit boards. They crawl in, short out the board, and die. It’s a mess. I seal all conduit entries with silicone and place professional ant bait inside the housing. It’s a small step that saves you a $400 circuit board replacement.”
Gate acting weird?
Don’t guess. Open the control box (carefully) and send me a clear photo of the circuit board and any error lights to my email:CarlosM@coppellgaragedoorpros.com. I can often save you a service call fee just by seeing the wiring. or call 972) 914-4863 (Ask to speak with a Carlos)
"Big Mike" Johnson | Installation Lead
Mike, does an insulated garage door really make a difference?
Mike: “Huge difference. A non-insulated door is a heat conductor; it bakes your garage in the Texas summer. A 3-Layer Sandwich Door (Steel + Insulation + Steel) drops the garage temp by 15-20 degrees. It also makes the door much quieter and less ‘rattly’ because the foam core adds structural rigidity.”
Can you put windows in my garage door? Is it safe?
Mike: “Yes. We use Tempered Safety Glass (like a car windshield) so it won’t shatter easily. Adding windows to the top panel adds natural light and massive curb appeal. If you are worried about security, we can use ‘Obscure’ or ‘Frosted’ glass so people can’t see inside.”
My driveway is sloped. Can I still have an automatic gate?
Mike: “Yes, but we have to be careful. A swing gate usually won’t work because it would hit the ground as it swings ‘uphill.’ In this case, we install a Sliding Gate or a specialized Lift-Hinge that allows the gate to rise as it opens. I measure the slope grade precisely before we build anything.
How much headroom do I need for a new opener?
Do you make custom wood gates?
Planning a custom door or gate?
Found a design you like on Pinterest? Send me a screenshot or photo of your house to MichaelJ@coppellgaragedoorpros.com. I can let you know if it’s possible and give you a rough “ballpark” price before we even measure.
Sarah Miller | Office Manager
Sarah, I’m stuck! How fast can you get here?
Sarah: “We treat trapped cars as priority emergencies. We keep ‘buffer slots’ in our schedule every morning and afternoon. If you call before 2:00 PM, we can almost always get a technician to you the Same Day. If it’s after hours, we have an on-call tech for emergencies.”
Do I need to be home for the repair?
Do you work with Home Warranty companies?
“We do work with them, but a word of advice: Check your deductible first. Often, our repair price is lower than your $100 or $150 deductible, and we can get it done today without waiting 3 days for the warranty company to ‘approve’ the work order.”
What payment methods do you accept?
“We accept all major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Amex), checks, and cash. Our technicians carry iPads with secure card readers, so you get a digital receipt emailed to you instantly.”
How far do you travel? Do you service outside Coppell?
Sarah: “Our main hub is Coppell, but we service the surrounding neighbors too. We go to Valley Ranch, Lewisville, Grapevine, Flower Mound, and Carrollton. If you aren’t sure, just give me a call!”
Need paperwork or a specific time slot?
Whether you need a COI for your HOA, an invoice for your insurance claim, or just need to make sure we arrive after you drop the kids off just let me know. fell free to send me an email to sarahm@coppellgaragedoorpros.com or just give us a call 972) 914-4863 (I am the one answering alll the call (: )