# Repair-Replace Mentality of Edison Garage Door

- Link: https://www.oldhouseguy.com/repair-replace-mentality/
- Published: 2022-10-05T09:24:02-04:00
- Author: Ken Roginski

My parents live in a Ranch House built in 1960. There is a two-car garage with a
solid wood garage door adorned with carvings in the wood.

There was a problem with the aging springs on the door so we contacted Edison Garage
Door in NJ.

The cost of the repair was approximately $450.

We were very pleased with the work performed and the expertise of the repairman.
However, a conversation with the repairman turned out to be very disturbing.

Unfortunately this repairman has a sort of mentality that is detrimental to anything
that is old.

![wood garage door ranch house](https://www.oldhouseguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/
09/garage-door-600x413.jpg)

Wood garage door on a 1960 Ranch house

The cost to repair was $450 which we thought was a fair price.** The repairman said
that instead of paying to repair the wood door it would be better to replace it 
with a new garage door.**

I immediately challenged his comment. I stated that to replace this door it would
require custom work at a cost over $10,000. He agreed but said that it does not 
have to be wood – there are other less expensive materials.

I just didn’t know what to say except to repeat myself and ask why anyone would 
even consider replacing a garage door that is in perfect condition and only needs
some spring work performed. There is absolutely no problem with the wood door so**
why replace it with a cheap looking door just because it would be new.**

He replied saying he just wanted to give us some options and that $450 was high 
for a repair when you can get an entire new garage door.  What????????????????

![wood garage door for ranch house with carvings](https://www.oldhouseguy.com/wp-
content/uploads/2022/09/garage-details-600x519.jpg)

Notice the details in the design of the garage door.

As my blood pressure neared the breaking point, I calmly tried to help him understand
that **what he is saying is ridiculous**. If the door was rotted and needed to be
replaced we would definitely duplicate it for $10,000 or whatever the cost would
be, but this thinking,** to replace a good garage door just for the sake of having
something brand new is not only unimaginable but unacceptable**.

This repair-guy, as nice as he was, is just one of so many others – homeowners, 
contractors, and repair-people, that are convinced that a new product, even one 
of lower quality, is better just because it is new. Meanwhile the landfills get 
higher.