Process and preparation before purchase
Garage door lead times and installation day
One of the most common questions after a quote is agreed is simply: how long until it is fitted. The honest answer depends on whether your door is a stock size or made-to-measure, and it is worth knowing this before you order, particularly if you are timing the work around a house move or a specific event.
This guide covers realistic lead times, what actually happens on the day the fitters arrive, and the handful of things worth doing beforehand to make the visit quicker for everyone.
Typical lead times by door type
These are general ranges. Exact timing depends on current order volumes and the specific finish or motor you have chosen, and we confirm a firm date once your order is placed.
| Door type | Typical lead time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Stock size manual roller | 1, 2 weeks | Fastest option if your opening is a standard width |
| Electric roller with motor | 2, 3 weeks | Motor and remote pairing adds a small amount of time |
| Made-to-measure sectional | 3, 5 weeks | Panels are fabricated to your exact opening |
| Bespoke or oversized doors | 5, 8 weeks | Non-standard sizes go into a separate production run |
| Commercial roller shutters | Quoted per project | Depends on opening size and any fire-rated specification |
What happens between ordering and fitting
Once you accept a written quote, we take a deposit where required and place the order with the specification confirmed at survey. You will get a lead time estimate at this point, and we confirm a fitting date once the door and any parts are in and checked.
If anything about your opening changes in that window, for example building work happening at the same time, let us know as early as possible so the fitting date can be adjusted rather than discovered as a problem on the day.
What happens on fitting day
Most residential jobs are completed in a single day. The team arrives at the agreed time, removes and disposes of the existing door, checks the opening against the original survey measurements, and fits the new door, frame and any automation.
- Removal of the existing door and any old frame components.
- Fitting and levelling the new frame or guide rails.
- Installing the door itself, curtain or panels, and running it through its full cycle.
- Fitting and testing the motor, remotes and any safety sensors if electric.
- A walkthrough of how to operate and maintain the door before the team leaves.
How to prepare your garage beforehand
A few simple steps on your part make the day quicker and avoid delays once the team arrives.
- Clear the area around the opening, inside and outside, of vehicles, bins and stored items.
- Empty shelving or hooks near the door if a roller box needs headroom clearance.
- Make sure there is a working electrical socket nearby if you are having an electric door fitted.
- Let us know in advance about any parking restrictions on your street for the fitting van.
- If pets or young children are usually in the garage area, plan to keep them clear during the visit.
What if the opening does not match the survey
This is rare when a proper survey has been done, but occasionally something has shifted, a render repair, a new driveway level, or settlement in an older building. If this happens, the team will explain the issue and agree next steps with you before proceeding, rather than forcing a fit that will not perform properly.
Questions we get asked
- Can I get a rush installation if my current door has failed completely?
- We prioritise where we can for doors that will not close securely, and stock size options are the fastest route to a working door in the short term. Call us directly to discuss what is achievable for your situation.
- Do I need to be home for the whole installation?
- Someone needs to be present to grant access and for the final walkthrough, but you do not need to be present for the entire process if you have arranged access in advance.
- How messy is installation day?
- Removal of an old door and frame does create some dust and debris, particularly if render or plaster needs making good. The team clears the work area and takes the old materials away with them.
- What if it is raining on the day?
- Most installations proceed in normal Northern Ireland weather, since the work is largely mechanical fixing rather than anything moisture-sensitive. Genuinely severe weather may occasionally require rescheduling for safety.
- Will the new door work immediately or does it need settling in?
- It is tested and cycled fully before the team leaves, so it should operate correctly from the first use. Very occasionally a spring tension needs a minor adjustment after a short bedding-in period, which is covered under warranty.
- How far in advance should I book to hit a specific date, like moving house?
- As early as possible, particularly for made-to-measure sectionals or bespoke sizes, since lead times of several weeks are common. Let us know your target date when you request the quote so we can flag whether it is realistic.
Get a lead time confirmed for your exact door
Book a free survey and we will give you a firm order-to-fitting timescale alongside your written quote.
Based at 31 Mount Street, Dromore (BT25) · covering Northern Ireland · 24/7 emergency repairs