CHI & Martin Door · Licensed Contractor #1113495
Generational Garage Doors

Garage Door Installation

— The Honest Garage Door Company —

New garage door installation done right the first time. Premium CHI and Martin Door brands, transparent flat-rate pricing, and a real licensed contractor on every job — not a salesperson. Serving Contra Costa & Solano Counties.

8×7 single-car from $1,400 · 16×7 double from $2,000 non-insulated, fully installed

Garage door installation — replacing a tired, dented, or non-functioning garage door is one of the highest-ROI upgrades you can make to your home. A new door immediately improves curb appeal, energy efficiency, and security — and a properly installed door from a quality manufacturer should last 20–30 years with minimal maintenance. Generational Garage Doors installs CHI Overhead Doors and Martin Door — two of the most respected residential brands in the country — across Martinez, Concord, Pleasant Hill, Walnut Creek, Lafayette, Danville, San Ramon, Antioch, Pittsburg, Brentwood, Hercules, Vallejo, Benicia, Fairfield, Vacaville, and surrounding communities.

Pricing is transparent: standard non-insulated 8×7 doors start at $1,400 installed, and standard non-insulated 16×7 doors start at $2,000 installed. Insulation, windows, decorative hardware, and custom panel styles add to that base — but you'll see every line item before you commit. Use our build-and-price estimator to get an exact quote in under five minutes, or browse our full garage door catalog to see styles, colors, and panel options first.

  • CHI & Martin Door brands
  • Insulated & non-insulated options
  • Custom wood & full-view glass
  • Smart Wi-Fi opener integration
  • 1 yr labor / 3 yr parts warranty
  • Old door haul-away included

CHI Overhead Doors

Broad selection from budget steel to premium full-view aluminum and faux-wood. Outstanding paint warranty and wide California availability.

Martin Door

Premium American-built doors. Heavy-gauge steel, clean architectural panel designs, and excellent insulation packages — built to last decades.

See Your Exact Installed Price in Under 5 Minutes

Our build-and-price estimator walks you through every option — size, insulation, panel style, windows, hardware, color, smart opener — and gives you a real installed price for your home. No phone tag, no high-pressure sales calls.

Watch a Real Installation

This is what an honest, properly executed garage door installation looks like — no shortcuts, no inflated upsells, just clean work from a licensed contractor who shows up, does the job right, and stands behind it. See more daily job spotlights and installation walkthroughs on our channel.

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Dustin Cantu - Owner of Generational Garage Doors, The Honest Garage Door Company

The Honest Garage Door Company — Why It Matters

When you call Generational Garage Doors, you aren't talking to a national scheduling service or a commissioned salesperson. You're talking directly to me, Dustin Cantu. I'm a lifelong local resident and a licensed California contractor (#1113495). I personally perform or oversee every installation. That means honest pricing, honest brand recommendations (CHI or Martin Door, not whatever's highest margin), and honest answers when an upgrade isn't worth your money. It's why we adopted the tagline — and why we live by it.

Garage Door Installation Frequently Asked Questions

Clear answers on pricing, brands, warranty, insulation, smart openers, custom doors, and how we accept payment.

1. Pricing & What's Included

How much does a new garage door installation cost?

Pricing depends on size and insulation. Standard non-insulated 8×7 single-car doors start at $1,400 installed. Standard non-insulated 16×7 double-car doors start at $2,000 installed. Insulation, panel design, windows, hardware finish, and custom options (wood, full-view glass) add to that base. Every quote is written and itemized — what we quote is what you pay. Use our build-and-price estimator for an exact installed price tailored to your home, or browse all available door styles first.

What's included in your standard installation?

Every standard installation includes: removal and haul-away of your old door and tracks, new vertical and horizontal tracks installed level and plumb, new torsion springs sized to your door's actual weight, new steel lift cables, new nylon rollers, new hinges and brackets, weather seal along the bottom and sides, opener reconnection with force/limit adjustment, full balance test, and a walkthrough on operation and maintenance. Haul-away, weather seal, and standard hardware are not add-ons — they're included. The only extras are options you explicitly choose (insulation upgrades, windows, decorative hardware, smart opener).

What warranty do you offer on new garage door installations?

We back every installation with 1 year of labor warranty and 3 years on parts (springs, cables, rollers, hinges, brackets, hardware). Manufacturer warranties on the door itself (paint, panels, sections) follow CHI or Martin Door's published terms, which are typically much longer and vary by model. Important: our warranty does not cover panel damage occurring after installation — this means dents from vehicles backing into the door, ladders or tools striking the panels, kids on bikes, or any external impact. Panel damage from impact is one of the most common service calls we get, and it is not a manufacturing defect. We'll quote a section replacement at fair pricing if it happens, but it's not covered under the install warranty.

Do you remove and haul away my old garage door?

Yes — included in every standard installation at no extra charge. We disassemble the old door and tracks, load everything onto the truck, and dispose of it properly. Some companies charge $100–$200 for haul-away as a hidden add-on. We don't. If you specifically want to keep any part of the old door (some homeowners reuse panels for workshop walls or art projects), just let us know in advance and we'll set those pieces aside.

2. Brands & Door Styles

What brands of garage doors do you install?

We install CHI Overhead Doors and Martin Door — two of the most respected residential garage door manufacturers in the country. CHI is known for outstanding paint warranties, broad style selection (from budget-friendly steel to premium full-view aluminum and faux-wood), and strong availability across California. Martin Door is a premium American manufacturer known for heavy-gauge steel, exceptionally clean panel designs, and excellent insulation packages — a great fit for homeowners who want a longer-lasting door with a more architectural look. We help you pick the right brand and model based on your home's style, your insulation needs, and your budget — not based on which one has the highest commission.

Do you install custom wood, full-view glass, or designer garage doors?

Yes — both CHI and Martin Door offer premium options including: real wood overlay carriage-house doors, full-view aluminum doors with frosted or clear glass (modern/contemporary look), faux-wood steel that mimics real wood at a fraction of the price and maintenance, designer panel patterns, custom paint colors, and decorative hardware. Custom and premium doors typically start at $4,500–$8,000+ installed and may have lead times of 4–8 weeks depending on the build. We'll walk through real samples during your estimate so you can feel the difference between steel, faux-wood, real wood, and aluminum before you commit. Browse our full door catalog to see options.

What if my opening isn't a standard size?

Both CHI and Martin Door offer custom-width and custom-height doors built to your exact opening. Older homes in Martinez, Benicia, Vallejo, and parts of Walnut Creek often have non-standard openings — 9×7, 10×7, 8.5×7, or odd heights. Custom-sized doors typically cost 10–25% more than the equivalent standard size and have slightly longer lead times. We always measure the opening precisely during the estimate (width, height, headroom, sideroom, backroom) before ordering anything.

3. Insulation & Performance

What's the difference between insulated and non-insulated garage doors?

Non-insulated doors are single-layer steel — the lowest price point and a fine fit for detached garages, workshops, or homes where the garage isn't conditioned. Insulated doors come in two main types: polystyrene (rigid foam board sandwiched between steel layers, R-values around R-6 to R-9) and polyurethane (foam injected and expanded between steel layers, R-values around R-12 to R-18). Polyurethane doors are quieter, more rigid, and significantly better at temperature control. They're worth the upgrade for attached garages, garages used as workshops or home gyms, and homes in hot inland areas where the garage hits 110°F+ in summer. Insulation upgrades typically add $300–$800 depending on door size and insulation type.

Should I get an insulated garage door in the Bay Area or Solano County?

Climate matters here. If you live in inland Contra Costa or Solano County — Antioch, Brentwood, Pittsburg, Concord, Walnut Creek, Fairfield, Vacaville — summer garage temperatures regularly climb past 110°F, and an insulated door noticeably lowers that. If your garage is attached to your home, an insulated door reduces heat transfer into adjacent rooms and helps your HVAC. In coastal areas (Hercules, Pinole, Rodeo, parts of Vallejo and Benicia), temperatures are milder, but insulated doors are still worth considering for sound reduction, rigidity, and longevity — the heavier construction holds up better against salt-air corrosion and daily cycling. We'll give you an honest take based on your specific home — not a script.

4. Openers & Smart Home Integration

Do you install smart Wi-Fi garage door openers?

Yes — LiftMaster with built-in myQ is our most commonly installed smart opener. myQ lets you open, close, and monitor your garage door from your phone, get alerts when it opens, set schedules (auto-close after 10 PM, etc.), and grant temporary access to family, dog walkers, or delivery drivers. It works with Amazon Key for in-garage delivery and integrates with most smart home platforms. We also install non-smart belt-drive and chain-drive LiftMaster models for homeowners who don't want app connectivity. We'll explain the real-world differences between belt vs. chain drive, 3/4 HP vs. 1-1/4 HP, and which features actually matter for your door size and usage pattern.

Can I reuse my existing garage door opener with a new door?

Usually yes — if your existing opener is in good working condition and properly sized for the new door's weight. Heavier insulated doors (especially double-car polyurethane) sometimes exceed the capacity of older 1/2 HP openers, in which case we'd recommend an upgrade. We test your existing opener during the install, adjust the force and limit settings to the new door's weight, and confirm the safety reversal works correctly. If your opener is more than 15 years old or making grinding/straining noises, we'll honestly tell you whether replacement is worth it — but we won't push an upgrade that isn't needed.

5. Payment, Financing & Scheduling

How do you accept payment? Do you offer financing?

We accept cash, Cash App, Zelle, credit card, and debit card. For financing, we run payments through Square, which supports Afterpay — letting you split the installation cost into 4 interest-free payments (subject to Afterpay approval). This is the cleanest way to finance a door without dealing with high-interest store credit cards or third-party loan applications. Approval is usually instant during the install. No prepayment penalty, no hidden fees — the price is the price, just spread out. We'll walk you through the Afterpay option during the estimate if you're interested.

How long does a garage door installation take?

Most single-door installations take 4–6 hours from arrival to walkthrough. Double-car doors typically run 5–7 hours. The work includes removing the old door, prepping the opening, installing new tracks, hanging the panels, installing the torsion system, connecting the opener, balancing the door, and cleaning up. We aim to complete every standard installation in a single visit — we arrive with the door, tracks, springs, hardware, and tools on the truck. Custom doors or installs requiring jamb repair, header work, or electrical for a new opener may extend to a second day, but we tell you that up front during the estimate.

Do you offer same-day or next-day installation?

Installations require ordering your specific door, color, and options from the manufacturer, so true same-day installation isn't realistic for new doors. Standard CHI and Martin Door models typically arrive within 5–10 business days. Custom colors, real wood, or full-view aluminum doors can take 3–6 weeks. We can do emergency same-day temporary repairs (boarding up an opening after a crash, securing the home) while your new door is on order. Call or text (925) 316-8384 for emergency situations.

Do I need to be home during the installation?

Someone needs to be present at the start of the job to confirm color, design, and placement, and at the end for the walkthrough and final payment. Many homeowners step out during the middle of the install — that's fine as long as the garage is accessible. We don't require you to clear the entire garage, but please move vehicles out before we arrive and clear roughly 3–4 feet of floor space directly inside the door so we have room to stage the new panels and dispose of the old door safely.

6. Permits, HOAs & Licensing

Will I need a permit to replace my garage door?

In most Contra Costa and Solano County cities, a like-for-like garage door replacement (same size, same opening, no structural changes) does not require a building permit. If we need to modify the framing, change the opening size, replace the header, or do significant electrical work for a new opener, a permit may be required and we'll let you know during the estimate. HOA approval is a separate matter — many HOAs require pre-approval for door color, panel style, or hardware changes. We can provide spec sheets and product photos to help with your HOA submission.

Are you licensed and insured for new door installations?

Yes — California Contractor's License #1113495. Fully licensed, bonded, and insured. You can verify our license directly on the California Contractors State License Board website. We also carry general liability insurance and workers' compensation. Garage door installation involves heavy panels, spring tension, electrical work, and structural attachments — never let an unlicensed contractor install a new door. If something goes wrong (a panel falls, a spring fails early, water intrusion from poor installation), an unlicensed contractor leaves you with no recourse.

What happens after the installation is complete?

We walk you through everything before we leave: how to operate the door manually if power goes out, how the safety reversal works, how to use the new opener and remotes, how to set up the myQ app if you chose a smart opener, where to find your warranty documents, and our maintenance recommendations (annual lubrication of rollers and hinges, periodic balance check, etc.). We follow up roughly 30 days later to confirm everything is operating smoothly. If you ever have a question — even three years from now — call or text and we'll answer.

Flexible Payment Options

We accept every common payment method and offer 4-payment interest-free financing through Square's Afterpay integration. No third-party loan applications, no high-interest store cards.

Cash Cash App Zelle Credit Card Debit Card Afterpay (4 interest-free payments)

Why Contra Costa & Solano Homeowners Choose Generational Garage Doors

Licensed, bonded, and insured California contractor #1113495

Licensed, Bonded & Insured

CA Contractor's License #1113495 — verifiable on the CSLB website.

High quality CHI and Martin Door parts and materials

High Quality Parts

CHI and Martin Door — top-tier manufacturers, never bargain hardware.

Fast response time, no AI agents or automated phone trees

Fast Response

No AI agents. No automated phone trees. A real person, every time.

24/7 emergency garage door availability

24/7 Availability

Day or night, call when you need us — we'll be there.

Over 8 years of garage door industry experience

8+ Years Experience

Hands-on industry experience — we've seen and solved it all.

Martinez Chamber of Commerce member

Chamber Member

Martinez Chamber of Commerce member supporting local business.

Service Area

We install new CHI and Martin Door garage doors throughout the following Contra Costa and Solano County communities:

Ready for Your New Garage Door?

Get an exact installed price in under five minutes with our build-and-price estimator — or call me directly if you'd rather talk through your options first. Either way, you'll get honest answers and transparent pricing. That's the whole point of being The Honest Garage Door Company.