Car Luggage Carriers

Contractor building garage with wrong door?

I’m having a double wide (16’) garage built to replace my carport. The bid was for a garage door with an 8’ height. I have a tall SUV with a cargo basket on the roof so I wanted the extra height. My car will fit (barely) into 7’ door but I’d have to unload the cargo basket each time before I do so. Yesterday they installed the framing, trusses and most of the outside paneling. After the crew left for the day I measured the door and discovered that it was only 7’ high. I have a call into the contracter about this. However, given all the work that has been done I suspect that it would be very difficult to change this to an 8’ door at this time. I suspect that the contractor will try to offer me some type of discount off the construction cost and accept the 7’ door. If I decide to accept this, what would be reasonable? How much cheaper is to build a double garage with a 7’ door then a 8’ door? I know that an 8’ door itself is more expensive because its non-standard. However, I suspect that there are other costs involved in making a garage with this additional height. How much is the contractor saving by building it with an 7’ door? Thanks for the answers that I received so far. I think the changes necessary to change to an 8' door may be more than those proposed in the answers. There is a 4" x 12" beam above the opening that would have to be raised. The framing that this is supported on would have to be re-done. I'm not sure if changing any of this would impact the trusses. The purchase agreement clearly stipulated an 8' door.

Public Comments

1. There should not be any cost difference between an 8' door opening and a 7' door opening. The contractor just messed up and installed the door at the standard 7' height. If your contract with the contractor specificies your door height is to be 8' it is his responsibility to fix the error. He will try to sell you on the 7' height but if it does not work for you car it does not work. I would look at the contract between you and the contractor to see what is defined to determine what your options are. If it is specified at 8' I would make he redo it. his loss will not be substantial in materials as he can reuse the header. He will however take a loss in labor but it will be a reminder to do the work as specified. Also if you have and plans or prints for this area those may also be considered contract documents. Edit: If the purchase agreement stated 8' then he owes you an 8' door opening. Your best choice is to stand fast and tell him that the door needs to be repaired or else you will have to withhold payment. This is legal for you to do as per the contract you requested an 8' opening and he has yet to provide that. Yes he will have to redo the studs holding up the header (beam) as they are 1' to short but that should be the only new material he will have to purchase. I understand it is pain to have the work redone, but you have the ground to stand on and I am sure that once the work is complete you will be happy you did.
2. The only difference in cost is the price of the door and the material to trim around it. The structural lumber is the same, except for two boards that are 12 inches shorter with a 7' door. They would have probably been cut from longer boards (8') anyway so the difference in material went in the scrap pile. The garage with a 7' door requires more siding so there's more material cost involved there. Assuming that the ceiling height would accomodate either size door, now would be the time to inform the contractor that you'd like their mistake corrected.
3. My guess, is that the contractor fell asleep at the wheel, it doesn't cost anymore to frame an 8' or 7' or 10', but it does cost a little more for the door. Are you sure that you have the head room in the garage for an 8' door, if so have him change the framing "Now" before they get the siding on........hurry. You need about 9' for a ceiling height in order to get an 8 foot door in. Don't let him hustler you into a lot more money , it should only be about 100.oo difference. Have a nice xmas and don't be afraid to speak up.........your builder probably just forgot.
4. Just have him fix it. At this stage it won't take his crew long to fix, won't cost him much material, etc. If you let ti go then you will kick yourself for years because of the hassle factor with taking stuff off the car every time you want to put it in the garage. Of course, all of this assumes that the wall is high enough. It sounds like you are working without plans (or his framing crew can't read?) In order to have an 8' garage door you need at least 9' high walls and 10' is more likely. That's not common at all. Hope you got the 8' door requirement in writing.
5. You have a contract for an 8' door. Call the contractor and advise him of what has happened. Your decision as far as letting him offer you a lower cost, but you will regret it every time you are unloading the cargo basket.
6. Why suffer for years for their mistake, and do not pay them until the city inspector signs off on the reframed opening. I would also make sure that the rest of the garage is built with an 8' door in mind. If not you might find the top two corners of your 8' high door kissing off the roofline on either side. They might try sticking an 8' high door in that new opening by using low headroom hardware on the door which does not result in a smooth operation most of the time. I would imagine you should be seeing approx. three feet or a little less headroom above that seven foot opening right now. And remember space for your operator. Take a look inside a neighbors' garage to get a better idea of this.