Not every garage door project is a straightforward swap of an old door for a new one. New construction installations — where the opening exists but has never had a door — involve some different considerations than replacing a door that's already there.
What's different about replacement
In a replacement project, the opening, header, and track mounting points already exist and have proven functional for years. The main variables are the condition of that existing structure and whether your new door's specifications match the current opening closely enough for a clean install. This is the more common project we handle, and it's what our wizard and inspection process are primarily built around.
What's different about new construction
New construction installs need the opening's framing, header sizing, and track mounting points evaluated from scratch, since nothing has been tested by an existing door. Builders typically coordinate these installs directly with their framing schedule, and there's more back-and-forth on measurements and structural specifications before a door can be ordered.
Which one applies to you
If you have an existing garage door you're replacing — even if it's old, damaged, or just outdated — you're looking at a replacement project, and our online wizard and inspection process will get you an exact price and installation plan quickly. If you're working with a builder on a home that doesn't have a door installed yet, that's a new construction scenario that typically involves closer coordination with your builder's timeline.
- Replacement: existing opening and framing already proven functional
- New construction: framing and header need evaluation before ordering
- Replacement projects move faster since less coordination is needed
- New construction typically coordinates around a builder's schedule
For replacement projects, our wizard gives you an exact installed price in about two minutes — the fastest way to find out what your new door will cost before scheduling anything.