You'll see "licensed, bonded, and insured" on nearly every home services company's website, but the phrase gets repeated so often it starts to lose meaning. Each of those three words protects you from a different kind of risk, and it's worth understanding what they actually mean before you hire anyone to touch your garage.
Licensed
A contractor's license means the company has met your state's requirements to legally perform this type of work, which typically includes some baseline competency and business standards. Hiring an unlicensed installer can leave you with limited recourse if something goes wrong, and can complicate insurance claims down the line.
Bonded
A bond is essentially a financial guarantee that protects you if the contractor fails to complete a job, violates terms of the contract, or otherwise doesn't fulfill their obligations. If that happens, you can file a claim against the bond to recover losses, up to its limit.
Insured
Liability insurance protects you if something is damaged during installation, and workers' compensation insurance protects you if a worker is injured on your property. Without proper insurance, a homeowner could theoretically be on the hook for either of those situations.
- Licensed: meets state requirements to legally do the work
- Bonded: financial protection if the company doesn't fulfill the contract
- Insured: protects you from liability for property damage or injury on-site
- Ask any installer for proof of all three before signing anything
It's a fair question to ask any company you're considering, including us. Once you're comfortable with the basics, you can see an exact installed price for your door through our wizard in about two minutes.