Garage Door Training: A Contractor's Guide to Team Training

Garage door training refers to structured education and hands-on experience that equips technicians with the knowledge and skills to install, repair, and maintain residential or commercial garage doors. 

This training can include technical instructions on openers or sensors, troubleshooting, customer service skills, and even sales techniques for selling additional services. 

If you’re a garage door contractor looking to boost your business, it’s vital to provide ongoing training for your employees as the industry evolves. With the emergence of new technologies, safety procedures, and increasing customer expectations, operating with an unskilled workforce will only set you back. 

To evaluate the effectiveness of garage door training, track metrics such as job completion times, error rates, and customer feedback, and conduct regular assessments and refresher training to reinforce lessons learned. 

Use this guide to learn more about garage door training, including what skills to cover in a training program and how to structure it. 

Let’s dive in!

What is Garage Door Training?

Garage door training involves teaching technicians to safely and effectively install, repair, and maintain various types of garage doors and openers. 

Training your garage door technicians is crucial because it ensures consistent workmanship, reduces the risk of on-the-job injuries, and boosts customer satisfaction. 

And think about it: well-trained technicians are more confident, so they can handle complex jobs, which, in turn, means fewer callbacks and a stronger relationship with your customers. 

What is Included in Garage Door Training?

Typically, garage door training includes hands-on instruction in the installation, repair, and maintenance of garage doors. 

But it should also cover customer service practices, safety protocols, and product knowledge. 

Here are seven key areas to focus on:

1. OSHA-aligned safety training

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) training ensures that garage door technicians understand and follow safety standards set for this industry. The goal of this training is to prevent workplace accidents and promote a culture of safety on every job. 

Following OSHA guidelines is vital because garage door work involves heavy lifting, electrical components, and high-tension springs. If any of these are mishandled, it can lead to serious injury and damage to your business reputation. 

Here’s what this training can include for the garage door industry: 

• Proper lifting techniques

• Use of personal protective equipment (PPE)

• Lockout/tagout procedures

• Ladder safety

• Tool handling

2. Tools and equipment training

Tools and equipment training involves teaching garage door technicians how to properly use, maintain, and store specialized tools (both hand and power tools) required for the installation and repair of garage door systems.  

Not knowing how to handle tools can lead to damage, injuries, and inefficient work. 

Typically, tool and equipment training includes instruction on using cable pullers, spring winding bars, ladders, and multimeters. But it can also cover tool safety checks and maintenance routines. 

3. Installation training

Installation training focuses on teaching technicians to properly install various types of garage doors and openers, following manufacturer guidelines and industry best practices. 

For instance, roll-up doors require technicians to know how to install the curtain so it rolls smoothly without catching or misaligning. This ensures the door operates smoothly and lasts as long as intended. 

Otherwise, it can lead to malfunctions, safety hazards, and costly callbacks. 

Training includes: 

• Measuring and preparing openings

• Assembling door panels

• Programming remotes

4. Maintenance and repair training

Maintenance and repair training aims to teach technicians how to diagnose issues and perform routine upkeep to ensure garage doors function properly over time. 

Garage doors are used almost every day, so without proper maintenance, minor problems can lead to major failures, safety risks, and costly damage. 

Training of this type includes inspecting and lubricating moving parts, adjusting spring tension, troubleshooting opener issues, and identifying signs of wear and tear. 

5. New garage door technology training

This type of training covers the latest innovations in garage door systems, such as smart openers, wireless controls, and advanced safety features. 

It’s important to stay current with evolving technology, not only because it’s what customers expect, but also because you can offer better service and confidently install advanced systems. 

This training can include: 

• Programming Wi-Fi-enabled openers

• Integrating systems with home automation platforms like Alexa

• Setting up mobile apps for remote door-access systems

6. Customer service training

Customer service training prepares technicians to handle inquiries, book appointments, and communicate clearly and professionally with customers at the job site.

Exceptional customer interactions can often be the deciding factor in building trust and winning more business. Well-trained technicians create a positive first impression that reinforces your brand’s professionalism and reliability.  

What this training can include: 

• Active listening and effective questioning

• Best practices for answering calls promptly

• Using CRM software to log calls accurately

• Handling objections and promoting service upsells

ServiceTitan’s Call Booking Software can easily elevate your customer service. 

With this phone integration, you enable your team to book more jobs while also providing a highly polished customer experience. 

For instance, before anyone answers the phone, the system pulls up caller information, such as name, address, or job history, so technicians can greet customers properly and build rapport.

7. Sales training

Sales training equips your techs with the skills they need to confidently present services, overcome objections, and close deals while on-site. 

Your techs are often the first in-home representatives of your brand, and their ability to suggest upgrades can boost your revenue and customer satisfaction. 

It can turn every service call into repeat business and a potential profit opportunity.

Here’s what this type of training can include: 

• Role-playing conversations to practice presenting solution tiers

• Training on upselling techniques tied to observed needs (e.g., springs are old)

• Instructions on using financial tools to close a deal on the spot

ServiceTitan comes to the rescue once more. 

First, you have the Integrated Customer Finance feature, which allows you to close more jobs and increase ticket size during estimations. 

Within the Financing Dashboard, you can get data-driven insights that help you make better business decisions, maximize revenue, and control your costs. 

Second, the Field Service App is convenient for equipping technicians with everything they need to finalize on-site deals. Out in the field, techs can browse photos, manufacturer videos, and product information and build tiered estimates for each customer on the spot. 

See how A1 Garage Door Service turned missed opportunities into profit with ServiceTitan’s Second Chance Leads.

How Can You Train Your Garage Door Team?

You can train your garage door team through these effective methods: 

• Training programs

• Hands-on workshops

• Manuals and checklists

• Training videos

Let’s explore them in greater detail. 

1. Training programs

Training programs are structured learning experiences that teach garage door technicians the skills they need to perform their roles effectively. 

A comprehensive training program should cover installation, repair, safety protocols, customer service, and even sales techniques. You can deliver it in various formats: online, in-person, or hybrid. 

In-person or online training courses benefit team members by ensuring they receive consistent, high-quality education, which results in better job performance, fewer mistakes, and increased customer satisfaction. 

2. Hands-on workshops

Hands-on workshops put garage door trainees face-to-face with the real deal. During these training sessions, technicians practice installation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair in a controlled learning environment. 

Not only do these workshops allow techs to apply what they’ve learned in real-world situations with actual tools and equipment, they’re also effective for teaching tasks such as track alignment and spring adjustment.

Plus, it gives trainers a chance to assess each technician’s skill level and provide immediate feedback, reducing errors, building confidence, and promoting active learning. 

3. Manuals & checklists

Manuals and checklists are written reference tools that provide step-by-step instructions for garage door installation, repair, and maintenance. 

These resources offer detailed guidance on troubleshooting methods, safety protocols, and manufacturer recommendations. Checklists also ensure no steps are missed during routine tasks, such as an inspection before leaving the site. 

Keeping these documents readily available ensures technicians deliver reliable, high-quality service every time and promotes consistency across your team.

ServiceTitan’s Field Service App is handy here, letting you store training manuals, videos, and checklists in one place. 

Instead of losing important information, techs can access these documents directly in the app, taking them wherever they go and studying at their own pace. 

4. Training videos

Training videos are visual learning tools that show garage door procedures and best practices through recorded or streamed content. 

These can be quick tutorials on specific tasks, like replacing a torsion spring, or videos showing a full installation. Videos are highly useful for visual learners, and techs can learn at their own pace and revisit complex topics at any time using tablets or smartphones.

Up next, let’s talk about how long garage door training should last.

How Long Should Garage Door Training Last?

Garage door training can last from a few days to several months, depending on the trainee’s experience level, the complexity of skills taught, and the structure of the training program. 

For instance, basic onboarding can take one or two weeks, while complete tech training might last up to two months. Following that, refresher training can be ongoing.

Other factors also influence the pace of training, such as the availability of mentorship, how frequently you introduce new products into the business, and the variety of services offered by the company.

Striking a balance between too much and too little training will ensure your techs are competent in the field without overburdening them. 

Next, let’s explore the costs of garage door training.

How Much Does Garage Door Training Cost?

Garage door training costs depend on several factors, including: 

• Type of training program (online or in-person)

• The length and depth of the course

• Whether certification is included or not

For example, Mount On Site Training offers hands-on, in-person classes on residential garage door basics for $800, while Garage Door School provides online video courses for $1,499. 

In-house training programs might cost less, but require significant investment in materials and trainer time. External programs can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars per technician.

Consider additional costs, such as travel expenses for attending workshops, purchasing training materials and tools, and accounting for lost productivity during training sessions.

Is Ongoing Garage Door Training Important?

The short answer is yes, definitely. The garage door industry continually evolves with new technologies, safety standards, and customer expectations, so regularly training your technicians will keep your team up to date and ready to answer questions and alleviate concerns. 

Here are the benefits of ongoing training: 

• Improved technician skills

• Fewer service errors

• Enhanced safety

• Higher customer satisfaction

By investing in continuous training, your company will stay competitive and consistently deliver top-quality service. 

But how exactly can you evaluate the effectiveness of your training?

How Can You Evaluate the Effectiveness of Garage Door Training?

To evaluate the effectiveness of your garage door training, follow these steps: 

• Identify training KPIs: Evaluating training KPIs will help you spot gaps in materials or equipment, as well as areas for improvement in future sessions. For instance, ServiceTitan’s Technician Scorecards allow you to see technician metrics based on the business unit of completed jobs. Each scorecard reports on a business unit and key performance indicators, such as close rate, conversion rate, and average sale.

• Create feedback loops: People learn in different ways. Some are visual learners, while others prefer a more practical approach. It’s important to ask each participant for their feedback to help refine training styles. 

• Conduct skills assessments: Use quizzes, checklists, and evaluations to measure technical and soft skills post-training, so you can give techs exactly the training they need. Focus on outcomes that reflect both learning retention and job performance. The goal is to identify what’s working and where you can offer more support. 

Now, let’s talk about what skills garage door technicians should have.

What Skills Should a Garage Door Technician Have?

When you write your garage door technician job description, these skills should be reflected in it: 

• Mechanical aptitude: Your candidates should be able to understand how garage doors work, accurately diagnose issues, and quickly fix them. 

• Technical skills: Includes knowledge of how to operate hand, power, and diagnostic tools. 

• Attention to detail: To ensure garage doors work correctly, techs should be able to spot unresolved issues that might lead to long-term problems.

• Physical strength: The job often requires lifting heavy doors and other components. 

The Bottom Line

Effective garage door training doesn’t stop at onboarding. It’s an ongoing investment in your team that enables you to serve your customers better and deliver stellar service. 

By providing in-person or online training programs, you equip technicians to perform with confidence, safety, and skill while also nurturing employee retention and positioning your company as a reliable choice in the market. 

ServiceTitan is a cloud-based software solution designed for home and commercial businesses like HVAC, plumbing, and garage door installation. With this tool, you can hit your profit margins on every project, manage financials with ease, and grow your business with real customer insights.