Repair vs. DIY vs. Replace.
When your sliding door grinds, sticks or won't lock, you have three real options: have it repaired, fix it yourself, or replace the whole door. Here's how they actually stack up.
The things that actually matter.
| What you care about | Repair (Speedy) | DIY | Full replacement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | Free estimate first · you approve the price before we start | $30–$50 in parts | $3,000–$9,000+ installed |
| Time | Usually same day, about an hour on site | 2–3 hours, if it goes well | Weeks to order, plus an install day |
| Warranty | 1-year warranty on parts | None | Manufacturer warranty on the new door |
| Parts | Stainless, sealed-bearing rollers | Whatever’s on the shelf | All-new door and frame |
| Keeps your door and frame | Yes | Yes | No — frame, glass and trim come out |
| Mess and disruption | Minimal — done on site | Your weekend | Demo, install and trim work |
| Price clarity | A price you approve before any work starts | Depends on what breaks next | Quote plus possible extras |
| Right call for | Worn rollers, track, locks, alignment — about 9 of 10 doors | A dirty track or a door that just needs lube | A cracked frame, or a door you simply want to upgrade |
We'll tell you straight.
Repair wins most of the time, but not every time. A new door is the right call when:
- → The frame itself is cracked, rotted or badly bent.
- → You want impact-rated glass for insurance or storm protection.
- → You’re remodeling and want a different style or size.
For everything else — worn rollers, a grooved track, a lock that won’t catch, a door that takes two hands — repair costs a fraction and keeps the door you already have. Fix it, don’t replace it.
Sometimes you just need a vacuum.
If the slider just got grindy this week, vacuum the bottom track first. About 15% of "grinding doors" are debris, not roller wear. Free fix in 10 minutes. Full DIY guide here.
If the door takes both hands, drops at one end, or makes metal-on-metal sounds, you're past DIY. Call us. A pro fix with a 1-year warranty on parts beats your saved $40 in parts plus a Saturday with the door propped against a wall.
The estimate is free.
No obligation. We come out, diagnose it in person, and give you a price you approve before any work starts. You decide. If you don't book, you owe nothing — including the truck roll. That's not marketing; that's the actual policy.