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Frequently asked questions
Do garage door openers have to reverse?
Yes. CPSC requires reversing systems on all openers made or imported for sale in the U.S. after January 1, 1991, and external entrapment protection such as an electric eye since 1993.
How often should I test my garage door reverse?
CPSC says to inspect the door and opener every 30 days, and the federal label says to test monthly with a 1 1/2 inch object or a 2x4 laid flat.
Why will my garage door not close?
Under 16 CFR 1211, if the safety sensor is missing or faulty, an open door must not close more than 1 foot below the top. Check the sensor and its wiring.
When should a garage door be serviced by a professional?
CPSC says doors that are not balanced, or that bind or stick, should be serviced by a professional.
Is there a Texas garage door license?
We found no Texas state license for garage door work; garage doors are not on TDLR's list of regulated industries. Electrical work must be done by TDLR licensed people, and some cities such as Fort Worth and Plano require contractor registration.
Do I need a permit to replace a garage door in Texas?
It depends on the city. Austin exempts overhead garage door replacement, Corpus Christi requires a permit, and Fort Worth, El Paso, Galveston and Arlington require permits for exterior door replacement.
Does a new garage door need a WPI-8?
TWIA lists garage doors among improvements that need a Certificate of Compliance (WPI-8) for coastal homes it insures. TDI issues the WPI-8 after an inspection shows the work meets code.
How many bids should I get for a garage door?
TDI says to get at least three written bids and not to make the final payment until all work is finished.
Can a garage door company pay my insurance deductible?
No. TDI says it is illegal to waive a homeowners deductible under state law, and your insurer may ask for proof you paid it.
Who handles complaints about garage door companies in Texas?
The Texas Attorney General takes consumer complaints about deceptive business practices. TDLR takes complaints about licensed electricians.
Do I need a permit to replace a garage door in Austin?
Austin's list of work exempt from building permits includes "Replacing or installing an overhead garage door on a garage."
Do I need a permit to replace a garage door in San Antonio?
San Antonio's No Permit Required list includes "Replacement of existing doors." It does not name garage doors.
Do I need a permit to replace a garage door in Fort Worth?
Fort Worth says replacement or addition of exterior doors, windows or burglar bars requires a building permit.
Do I need a permit to replace a garage door in Corpus Christi?
Corpus Christi's homeowner guide says a permit is required for "Replacing a garage door."
Do I need a permit to replace a garage door in Arlington?
Arlington says replacing windows and exterior doors needs a permit and a worksheet. One opaque door up to 24 square feet does not need a permit. Questions: 817-459-6502.
Do I need a permit to replace a garage door in El Paso?
El Paso's permit guide says replacing exterior doors requires a permit.
Do I need a permit to replace a garage door in Galveston?
Galveston's building permit checklist, dated 2011, lists replacing doors among work that needs a permit.
Do I need a permit to replace a garage door in Houston?
Houston requires Residential Repairs permits for replacing existing structural members and other building elements. Its list of exemptions does not name doors, so ask the Houston Permitting Center before you start.
Do I need a permit to replace a garage door in Plano?
Plano's permit list, revised in 2016, does not name garage doors. Ask Building Inspections at 972-941-7140.
On this site: What federal law requires of garage door openers · How to test your garage door opener's reverse · My garage door opens but will not close. Why? · Is my garage door balanced? Springs and hardware · Do garage door companies need a license in Texas? · Do I need a permit to replace a garage door in Texas? · Coastal Texas: wind-rated garage doors and the WPI-8 · How to pick a garage door contractor in Texas · Storm damaged my garage door. What now? · Where to complain about a garage door company in Texas · Cities · FAQ · Sources
Sources
- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC): Non-Reversing Automatic Garage Door Openers Are a Hazard (Pub. 523, PDF) (checked November 1, 2026)
- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (eCFR): 16 CFR Part 1211: Safety Standard for Automatic Residential Garage Door Operators (checked November 1, 2026)
- Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR): Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation: Regulated Industries (checked November 1, 2026)
- City of Austin Development Services: Work Exempt from Building Permits (checked November 1, 2026)
- City of Corpus Christi Development Services: Homeowner's Guide to Permitting (PDF) (checked November 1, 2026)
- Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA): Windstorm Certification (checked November 1, 2026)
- Texas Department of Insurance (TDI): Hail damage to your home or car? What to do next. (checked November 1, 2026)
- Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR): Electricians (checked November 1, 2026)
- Texas Department of Insurance (TDI): Know the signs of a contractor scam (checked November 1, 2026)
- City of Fort Worth Development Services: Contractor Registration (checked November 1, 2026)
- City of Plano Building Inspections: When Is a Permit Required? (PDF, revised 09/28/16) (checked November 1, 2026)
- City of San Antonio Development Services: No Permit Required (checked November 1, 2026)
- City of San Antonio Development Services: Residential Permits (checked November 1, 2026)
- City of Fort Worth Development Services: Residential Information (checked November 1, 2026)
- City of Arlington: Do I Need A Permit? A DIY Guide (December 2024) (checked November 1, 2026)
- City of El Paso Planning and Inspections: When Do I Need a Permit? (PDF) (checked November 1, 2026)
- City of Galveston: Building Permit Checklist (2011) (checked November 1, 2026)
- City of Houston, Houston Permitting Center: Residential Repairs Permit Guidelines (PDF) (checked November 1, 2026)
- Texas Department of Insurance (TDI): Making repairs after a storm (checked November 1, 2026)
- Texas Department of Insurance (TDI): Repairing My Garage Door after a Storm (PDF, September 2017) (checked November 1, 2026)
- Office of the Texas Attorney General: File a Consumer Complaint (checked November 1, 2026)
- Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR): File a Complaint (checked November 1, 2026)
- City of Galveston Building Division: Windstorm (checked November 1, 2026)
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