Hey folks, I’m Brandon Powell, owner of Powell Quality Services, and today, I want to give you a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s really like to be a garage door technician.
A lot of people don’t think much about their garage door—until it stops working. But trust me, when your car is trapped inside, the door won’t close at night, or a spring snaps with a loud bang, it suddenly becomes the most important thing in the world.
That’s where my team and I come in. We spend our days diagnosing problems, making repairs, and installing brand-new garage doors, all while dealing with whatever Utah’s wild weather throws our way. It’s a tough job, but we love what we do.
Let me take you through a typical day in the life of a Powell Quality Garage Doors technician.
6:30 AM – Rise and Shine: Gearing Up for the Day
My day starts early—before most people have even thought about their garage door. First things first, I grab a hot cup of coffee and check the job schedule for the day. Every morning, our team gets assigned a mix of jobs:
- Emergency calls (like broken springs or stuck doors)
- Routine maintenance (inspections, lubrication, and tune-ups)
- New garage door installations
- Garage door opener repairs and replacements
Each job is different, and that’s what keeps this work interesting. Some days, we’re out in the blazing summer heat, fixing a door that warped from the sun. Other days, we’re bundled up in the freezing winter, fighting off ice buildup and stiff garage door springs. After checking the schedule, I load up my service truck with all the tools, parts, and supplies I might need:
✅ Heavy-duty springs
✅ Rollers and cables
✅ Hinges and brackets
✅ Lubricants and cleaning supplies
✅ A full set of power tools
✅ New garage door openers for replacements. Once I’ve got everything ready, it’s time to hit the road.
8:00 AM – First Call of the Day: A Stuck Garage Door
I pull up to my first job: a homeowner whose garage door won’t open. When I get there, she’s standing in the driveway, frustrated because she was about to leave for work when the door refused to budge.
I run through my usual troubleshooting checklist:
✔️ Is the opener receiving power? (Check the breaker)
✔️ Are the sensors aligned? (A common issue)
✔️ Any visible broken parts? (Springs, cables, tracks)
✔️ Listen for strange noises (A loud grinding or clicking is a red flag)
After a quick look, I spot the problem—a snapped torsion spring. This is one of the most common issues we deal with, especially in Utah, where the extreme cold can make springs brittle. Fixing a broken spring is no joke. These high-tension springs hold a ton of force, and replacing them without the right tools and experience can be dangerous. But for us, it’s all in a day’s work. After carefully replacing the spring and testing the door, I give the homeowner some tips on keeping her door in good shape (like regular lubrication and balance checks). She’s relieved and happy she can finally get to work. One job down, plenty more to go!
10:30 AM – Garage Door Installation: A Brand-New Look
Next up, I’m meeting my team at a new garage door installation. The homeowner wants to upgrade from their old, dented door to a modern, insulated steel door with windows. Garage door installations are one of my favorite parts of the job. It’s satisfying to take down an old, worn-out door and replace it with something fresh that completely transforms the look of a home.
Step-by-step installation process:
1️⃣ Remove the old garage door (carefully disconnecting the springs, opener, and tracks)
2️⃣ Prepare the opening (making sure the frame is level and the new tracks are aligned)
3️⃣ Install the new panels (securing each section one at a time)
4️⃣ Attach the hardware (rollers, hinges, and cables)
5️⃣ Balance the door (adjusting the spring tension for smooth operation)
6️⃣ Connect and test the opener (ensuring everything runs smoothly)
By the time we’re done, the homeowner is blown away by the difference. A new garage door doesn’t just make a house look better—it improves energy efficiency, security, and curb appeal.
1:30 PM – Quick Lunch Break and Checking In
After wrapping up the installation, I grab a quick lunch (usually something easy like a sandwich or protein bar) while checking in with the rest of the team. We swap stories about the morning’s jobs—one guy had to dig a sensor out of a snowdrift, another found a garage door full of spider webs and wasp nests. (Fun fact: garages are a favorite hiding spot for all kinds of critters!)
2:00 PM – Emergency Call: A Door That Won’t Close
Just as I finish my lunch, I get a last-minute emergency call—a homeowner’s garage door won’t close all the way, leaving their house exposed. When I get there, I check the photo-eye sensors first. Sure enough, they’re misaligned, probably from someone bumping them with a broom or trash can. A quick adjustment, and the door is working again. It’s a simple fix, but to the homeowner, it’s a lifesaver. That’s why I love this job—helping people and giving them peace of mind.
4:30 PM – Wrapping Up the Day
By late afternoon, I’m finishing up the last job and heading back to the shop. Before calling it a day, I:
- Restock any parts I used
- Clean and organize my tools
- Check the schedule for the next day
I finally get home, tired but satisfied, knowing we helped a bunch of people today.
Why I Love Being a Garage Door Technician
Being a garage door technician is more than just fixing doors—it’s about problem-solving, working with my hands, and helping people every single day.
What makes this job great?
✅ Every day is different – No two jobs are the same
✅ You get to meet amazing people – Homeowners who appreciate the work
✅ It’s hands-on and rewarding – Seeing a broken door work perfectly again
✅ There’s always something to learn – New technologies and challenges
At Powell Quality Services, we take pride in doing the job right, treating our customers like family, and keeping Utah’s garage doors running smoothly year-round. So the next time your garage door is acting up, remember—we’ve got your back. Call Powell Quality Services, and we’ll get it working like new again.
