Services / Emergency Door Repair

Emergency Door Repair

The first thing you need to know about 24/7 door repair services is that not all of them are actual 24/7 services. Rather, they field calls at all hours and then, after they get the caller to agree to the higher service charge, they convince them to wait until morning. This is one of the reasons that I offer true 24/7 all-day and night services.

That is, there is a real need for one that operates with integrity and has reasonable pricing. Now, I do charge more to get out of bed in the middle of the night, but I don't price gouge. So, to begin with, the first thing to compare 24/7 door services charges with is the cost of a locksmith. You read that right. Often, it's cheaper to have a locksmith show up and pick a lock. Then, another comparison to be made is if you simply need door hardware changed out, perhaps between renters, or if you are the new renter and want fresh door locks.

Most door repair services offer simple lock and doorknob services. In fact, if you are willing to, you can do it yourself with the help of an online tutorial video. Then, another thing I advise after-hours callers on the hunt for 24/7 door repair services is to simply calm down. That's it. Often, they just need to be talked to for them to realize that it's not an actual crisis they are going through. Keep in mind here that the added service charge I get for getting out of bed to go service a client at 3:00 am really isn't worth it.

Rather, I offer this option because there are times when a damaged door really is a crisis. A front door that won't close with children in the home, or a business such as a convenience store that would otherwise be forced to close but for a non-functioning front door that needs immediate repair. Something else to consider here is that replacement parts such as a new deadbolt or doorknob may not even be available at the odd hours that after-hours calls come in.

In cases like these, the most 24/7 locksmith services will be able to offer is to get the door to close and the lock to engage. So, the bottom line is that while 24/7 door repair services are available, they do come at a premium so often times the wait for regular daytime service is well worth it.

Locksmith Services: What They Aren't Telling You

Pity the poor local locksmith. Just a few generations back, their job was so much simpler. Just take a look at a door on an older home and see for yourself that locks were basic and easy to work on. They were also far easier to pick. Yes, some were more difficult than others to breach, but all in all, in comparison, they were easier than today. Perhaps the biggest reason for that is a complete professional-grade lock-picking kit can now be had online thanks to the internet.

Then, if a crook has trouble figuring out how to use it, there are video tutorials available online to walk them through the process. Did you know that both big-box hardware stores now carry lock-picking kits? The result of all of this is that it is now up to me to tell my clients that they need to be more diligent when deciding what door locks and knobs to have me install on their homes and businesses.

I advise them that the least costly and to acquire and install are digital door locks that feature an integrated keyboard instead of a standard key. The nice thing about these locks, aside from being far more difficult to bypass, is that codes can be deleted as tenants come and go. Then, there is the king of pick-resistant locks, and that would be the Bowley Lock made in Canada.

This lock is not only made from milled stainless steel, but it also features inner workings that have reengineered how a lock functions. Also, a secret passcode is required to buy a replacement key from the company, as the shape of the key prevents copies from being made anywhere else. The only downside of this lock is the price. They have several models, and none of them are cheap. There are, however, some pretty good alternatives in the standard price range. I also like to remind my clients that along with a secure lock, a solid security door is an important element of a truly effective multilayered home security strategy.

Home Security Services: What the Criminals Have to Say

With so much information, opinions, and promotional material out there about home security services, it seems there is one important element that is sorely missing. That is, what do the perpetrators have to say? After all, they have the final say in what works and what doesn't. So, to fill this glaring info gap, I set about to connect with some criminals who would talk, and it wasn't hard to do.

I simply waited outside the jail release gate here in Los Angeles where I live and offered crooks $20 for a brief interview as they passed by on their way to freedom. It was well worth it because I learned a few things that I was able to put to use in my line of business, which happens to be installing security systems.

So, it turns out that burglars dread cameras more than they do alarms. I also learned that placing cameras in conspicuous areas along with concealed cameras is effective. They also told me to advise my clients to think out of the box to make their homes a hard target. Creative measures like leaving a pair of extra-large men's work boots on the front porch work well to stop them in their tracks.

Of course, I was also told some things I already knew. Things like how easy so many standard door locks are to pick. The answer to that is to spend the extra money it takes to have pick-resistant door locks installed. I also know that older security systems are outdated and the worst of them are the systems that can be disabled by simply shutting off the power at a home's fuse box.

I always advise my clients to put a good padlock on their fuse box to prevent someone from turning their power off. Crooks have been known to do this to wait for a homeowner to come outside to turn the power back on, where they can then be accosted.

So, what I learned from it all is that while a good home security system is for sure a good thing to have, still there are steps that need to be taken to build a truly effective multilayered home security strategy.

Insurance Providers: What You Need to Know

It never ceases to amaze me how little people know about insurance providers. This, in spite of the fact that we are required to carry car insurance and often home and business insurance. Of course, we all know that we need to pay our premiums or we will be canceled. But what about dealing with insurance providers in our hour of need? What happens when we notify them that something has happened and now they need to step in to lend a hand?

A car accident is the most common reason for interacting with an insurance carrier, and surprisingly, most newbies are shocked by what they experience. For instance, it's not uncommon for an insurance carrier to take the other person's side in the case of an accident. The reason here is that it's the least costly path. If they can blame you, then they can raise your rates to cover the loss.

Then, another rude awakening comes as the result of how long an insurance carrier takes to process a claim. The reason here is that the longer they drag it out, the more anxious you will be to settle for a lesser amount. Let's face it. Insurance carriers make their money by pocketing your premiums, not by paying out claims.

Then they are well experienced with what they do. They know what works and what doesn't. They also aren't emotionally invested. You are the one that was damaged, not them.

So, the solution is twofold, and these are things that I learned through experience. First, if you use the cheapest insurance, you can expect the worst service by the most uncaring jerks. Then don't discount even the slightest injury. Injuries mean that you can bring in an attorney, and they know how to deal with insurance adjusters. No injury means you are on your own.

Emergency Door Repair Service: Is It Really an Emergency?

I can't even begin to count the number of calls I have fielded over the years of operating a door repair service that were made by people in the midst of an emergency door repair situation. But were they all truly emergencies? The answer to that question is, of course, no, but in their eyes, they all were.

A lot of them were, though, and for these, I offer 24/7 repair services, but it does come at a premium. That is, I charge extra for it.

A lost or misplaced key is one common source of calls for emergency door repair services. People who are locked out and decide to force the door open to gain entry. What they fail to realize, though, is that calling a locksmith to show up and pick their lock is almost always the cheaper option.

Then another thing I have found is that far too many people have trouble differentiating a panic attack from a door repair emergency. A door in their home sustains damage from one source or another, and they start in with a panic attack. In truth, a damaged door is for sure no fun, but given the choice of waiting until the new day to dawn and paying the emergency door repair service premium, the wait is so often the prudent option.

I often have to assume the role of a therapist as I talk a caller through anxiety issues, but with all the reasoning, it's when they find out what the added cost will be that they decide to calm down.

What I consider an emergency door repair situation is usually a front or back door that has been broken in and now won't close and lock properly. Particularly if it involved a break-in or domestic violence issue where there is an imminent danger to take into account. For situations like these, I have no trouble hopping out of bed at all hours of the night to come to the rescue.

Local Building Codes: Avoiding the Pitfalls

So you have fallen in love with an old vintage home in need of some TLC, and you are seriously considering jumping at the deal. It may even appear to be priced well below market value. So is it really the deal that it appears to be? The answer to that is most likely it is not. The reason for that is that local building codes in most states mandate that if a certain percentage of the home is brought up to code, the entire home must be brought up to code.

That means that if you say, rewire it to get rid of the old scary-looking wiring, you may be stuck having to completely go through the home to bring everything up to code. Windows, insulation, plumbing, etc. The truth is there is nothing from the roofing down to the cement foundation and all points in between that are not covered by building code.

It gets worse than that, though. Some municipalities require that you provide them with blueprints of a home in perfect 1/4 inch scale to include its exact position on the lot it's standing on. That means you need to hire an architect and a surveyor to provide all that before you even pick up a hammer and nail.

Then if a home is connected to a septic system, a municipality may require that it be connected to sewer service regardless of how far away the sewer line is you need to access. So I always advise my clients that remodeling older homes should be a labor of love. Something that they do that they are not counting on to generate a profit. I also advise them to check with their bank or credit union to see if they are willing to even lend money on their project. If an old fixer-upper has been languishing on the market for an extended time with no takers, then there are probably good reasons for that.

Over the years, I have been in the door repair and replacement business, and one thing I have noticed is the level of urgency that most home and business owners approach door repair with, in particular. Most people take for granted how important a smoothly functioning, fully intact door is until misfortune comes calling. In an instant, things can change, and for a front entrance door, in particular, that suddenly doesn't close properly due to damage, it often becomes an emergency to get the door repaired before sundown. So then, where are the best places to turn to get a door back in working order? The answer to that is your local big box hardware stores.

Lowe's and Home Depot have everything you need if you know what to look for. You will find glue and touch-up paint to deal with cracks in a broken door frame in the paint section. Then in the tool section, you can pick up a couple of clamps to squeeze the glued splits and cracks closed. Make sure to use fast-curing epoxy because regular wood or carpenters' glue can take up to twenty-four hours to dry. Epoxy, on the other hand, sets up in about an hour. You will also need screws to replace any hinge or door frame screws that have been stripped out, and both stores have an aisle loaded with them.

Then, for hinges and a new door knob or deadbolt if they are needed, head on over to the door aisle. If you are buying a complete replacement door, I like to unscrew it and take it with me right into the store on a rolling trolley they have out in the parking lot. Then I use the door to compare in size and dimension with any new door I'm considering buying. Try your best to find an exact match, and you can do this by laying the doors on top of each other to see how close they are. Make sure to save your receipt and handle any door you take home with care so it isn't damaged if you need to return it for any reason. Good luck!

Smart Home Security Technologies

After years of being in the home security business, I have long since passed the point where I think I have seen it all. Every time I thought that technology had gone as far as it could go, something new came along to render what was currently available obsolete. So now, I look forward to the new surprises so I can, in turn, be the one to tell my clients about them. Take pick-proof locks as one of the latest examples.

For years now, top door lock manufacturers with names like Quickset and Schlage have claimed that they had the very latest in pick-resistant locks available, and in comparison to their competitors, they did. But then, out of nowhere, a new name appeared on the radar with a new type of door deadbolt that is truly pick-proof. It's the Bowley Lock out of Canada, and it's well worth checking out. What they did was toss out the existing technology and start anew from scratch to come up with a lock that has defied even the best lock pickers and locksmiths on the internet.

They aren't cheap though, but if you are interested in top-notch door security, they are well worth it. Another advancement in smart home security comes in the form of pneumatic or air-powered handguns that, while legally qualifying as a toy gun, nonetheless pack the same firepower as a 9mm pistol. So now, folks in cities with strict firearms restrictions can keep a gun under their mattress to have at the ready without worrying about the legal ramifications that a standard firearm carries.

Then, for less lethal options, there are now powerful air guns that fire capsaicin, which is the same active ingredient in pepper spray. With this new technology, intruders can be disabled from a distance without having to get up close to them. Of course, there are new technologies to deal with break-ins when you're not home. But what about when you are home and dealing with a threat to your person? If all else fails or help can't arrive fast enough, these new technologies can be the edge you need to give you the upper hand.

Post-Door Repair Technologies to Enhance Function and Security

What I have found over the years that I have been in the home repair and installation business is that doors really don't just fall apart on their own. If left alone and used with care and consideration, they can last pretty much the lifetime of the home. Instead, it's human interaction or intervention that almost exclusively plays the decisive role in the reason for me being called on to do a repair. So then, what are some of the things I do and advise for them to do to hopefully prevent me from being called back again further down the road to once again fix their broken door?

To start with, one common issue I run into is cheap, flimsy doors. Cheap doors are incredibly cheap now, with the cheapest hollow interior doors being made from what can best be described as pressed cardboard. It's basically fiberboard that is just a bit stronger than cardboard. But in the end, all the savings are lost when they are continually in need of repair.

The same thing applies to super cheap door hardware. Dirt cheap door knobs look good on the store shelf, but once they are installed, their service life is minimal. Their inner workings are made of cheap plastic. So spend the extra money it takes to buy better quality hardware for long-lasting, trouble-free function.

Then, if your door has been damaged due to a forced entry, then think long and hard about having a security screen door installed. If you have called the police regarding a break-in, then you probably know now that they are stretched thin and simply don't have the time and resources to devote to tracking down the culprit. So it's really up to you to make your home or business a hard target. Then, if you don't want to spend the money for a camera system, look into fake cameras that look just like real cameras yet are a fraction of the cost to install.

Mobile Repair Services: What They Have to Offer for Your Home

It's a fact that mobile repair services are growing exponentially, and this is good news for home and business owners. I have been in the business for over forty years now, and I have seen the changes as they have developed. Better, lighter, and less costly tools now make it easier and less costly to equip a work van to provide a broader range of repair options now. Also, larger big box hardware stores that are more conveniently located make it so much easier to pick up products and materials to do repairs. So now what used to take all day long or even more than one day to do can now be wrapped up in often just a few hours.

Still, another thing to consider is that all too often in the past, repair services required that you bring the project to them rather than as it is now where they come to you. Still, as easy and convenient as they make it, there are a few things you can do to make their job easier which can in turn transfer into savings. The first thing you can do is put your dog in the backyard so it isn't barking. Then, secondly, clear the area where the work is going to be taking place.

I can't estimate how many times I have arrived at a home to unclog a sink drain or install a new faucet only to discover that the cabinet area under the sink is loaded full of containers of who knows what. Also, you might think of making sure they have a secure place to park up close to your home or business. Then, if it is a warm day, turn on the air conditioner.

You may be comfortable as it is, but keep in mind that they are going to be working and going in and out the door moving materials and tools. So make it easy and comfortable for them. Then lastly, if you have bought something that they are going to install, then don't open the box. The reason here is that the odds of something being lost by doing this shoot way up. Let them open it.

Community support: What can you do?

What I've noticed during my years in the home repair business is that people often consider community support only after a security incident has occurred. It's usually a break-in or an attempted one that prompts them to realize the importance of rallying their neighbors to make their neighborhood or block a safer and harder target. I always emphasize to them that someone needs to take the first step, and once that happens, momentum can build.

For instance, installing a neighborhood watch sign doesn't require unanimous approval from all your neighbors. You can simply go ahead and do it, then approach your neighbors about organizing and exchanging phone numbers. Once organized, it's beneficial to reach out to local law enforcement to request increased patrols in your area.

Furthermore, starting with community support at home involves taking proactive steps to make your property a hard target. Motion-sensitive lights and cameras serve as effective preventative measures. Additionally, steel security doors act as a deterrent for anyone who manages to bypass your initial security measures.

Squatters are increasingly becoming a problem in all areas, regardless of affluence. Therefore, it's essential to make a plan with your neighbors so that swift action can be taken if squatters attempt to occupy your home or any of your neighbors' homes. Don't wait until there's a problem; organize your forces and neighbors into a local community support group to enhance safety and security.

Common questions:

How can a homeowner determine if their door repair is an emergency?

I have been in the home repair business ever since I got my general contractor's license six years ago. But it was just two years ago that I began to advertise that I offered emergency door repair after my neighbor's front door was broken in during a burglary. What I have discovered along the way, though, is that not all door damage that homeowners determine is an emergency actually is. Sure, they want the repair done right away, but does it warrant me getting up late at night to go and do it? Or can it wait until morning? So then, just what are the things that qualify door damage as a legitimate emergency?

#1 is that it really needs to be an exterior door. Even a bathroom door can wait, but an exterior door can for sure be an emergency if it won't close correctly and the owner needs to leave the home for some reason such as to go to work.

#2 is if the home is in a high crime neighborhood. Having an entrance door that won't close correctly in a high crime neighborhood is just asking for trouble.

#3 is if the entrance door was broken during a domestic violence situation. Here again, just as with a door left open in a high crime area, a malfunctioning door as the result of domestic violence also presents the specter of continuing violence.

#4 is if there is the risk of squatters gaining entry and taking up residence. One of the methods squatters employ is to break down an entrance door, then leave.

Then, after the owner or the police have come and gone and the alarm shut off, they creep back under the cover of darkness and establish themselves as the residents of the home. Of course, there are other things that can qualify door damage as an emergency situation, but these are among the four most common that I see. Dealing with a broken door is certainly not pleasant, so it's important to sort out what is general anxiety on the part of the homeowner and what constitutes a legitimate threat.

What are common signs a door repair can't wait?

Of course, all broken doors on a home or commercial building need to be repaired, but for some, the need is more urgent than others. These would be the broken or damaged doors that need to be repaired right away and they just can't wait. For instance, just a few months ago, a restaurant owner called me and said that the door on the women's bathroom at his restaurant had been kicked in by a disgruntled employee.

Worse yet, he had a local group of transgender women scheduled to hold a meeting there that very afternoon. He had contacted them to inform them that the door on the men's room was fine, but that didn't go over well. So I charged him a premium to drop my scheduled appointment to run right over and do the necessary repair. Damaged doors as the result of break-ins always warrant an immediate response.

One common trick that crooks employ is to break in an entrance door then run off and wait. If there is no alarm response, then they return in due course to enter the home or business. Or if there is an alarm that goes off, they allow the police to come and leave the alarm turned off then here again they simply walk right in. Changing the locks as the result of a tenant dispute also can't wait. The disgruntled tenants still have the key to the entrance door and that can spell trouble.

Then for sure if squatters have been evicted the locks need to be changed at the very moment they leave. In general, all door repairs need to be dealt with as soon as possible to prevent the door from being further damaged due to people forcing it open or it dragging across the floor. But doors that are the centerpiece of a dispute or eviction for sure stand at the top in terms of priority.

What are immediate actions to take after a break-in?

I can't count the times I have been called to a home to repair a door as a result of a break-in, and the homeowners are shocked it happened to them. It seems that for some reason, people, in general, think that their neighborhood is immune to property crime. In truth, it can happen to anyone, and believe it or not, multiple break-ins aren't that uncommon.

Those are where the perpetrators basically broke into more than one home on the same block on the same day. It's not hard to imagine that the crooks don't do door repairs on the way out either. Instead, they leave that for the unfortunate homeowner or business owner to deal with. So step # one is to call the police and wait for them to show up and conduct a cursory investigation. Then after they have left, you are free to do repairs and secure your property.

For sure, the first thing you need to do is get the door they broke into closed and locked. Sometimes they use a pry bar to pry the door open, but in more extreme circumstances, they break the door down. If that is the case, often the door opening needs to be boarded over with plywood to secure it while a replacement door is purchased and ready for installation.

It also makes good sense to throw everything in the refrigerator out. Often times it's drug addicts who break into homes, and drug addicts, in general, aren't in their right mind. They have been known to contaminate food with household items like cleaning fluid and even worse, so I advise clients to not take chances and toss out all food.

Then finally, don't assume that lightning won't strike twice in the same place. It can, and they often do because that's what people who have been victimized least expect. So if you don't have an alarm system and security doors, consider getting them installed.

What to look for in an emergency home repair service?

The last thing a person needs to encounter after they have been victimized by a home break-in or had some type of malfunction, such as an entrance door that won't lock or engage properly, is to be victimized again by someone masquerading as an emergency response repair service. The issue here is that without exception, businesses and craftsmen and women who offer prompt emergency response to home repair emergencies charge an added premium to do so.

So the #1 question to ask is if they are going to come right away? After all, that is what an emergency response implies. You might be surprised how many offer their services as an emergency response and have you commit to the premium charge only to, in turn, put you on the schedule for later in the day. Or even worse yet, they want to show up the next day. That by definition is for sure not an emergency response. So if that is what they are offering, simply hang up and call someone else.

Then #2 is to ask them what they are going to do? Are they going to show up and simply survey the damage done to a door after a break-in, or are they going to arrive with at least a sheet of thick plywood to board it up so the home is secure? Then #3 is to ask them to be specific regarding their billing. Some less than scrupulous service providers only give a vague description of what an added charge entails.

Then when the work is done, they surprise you with a huge bill. So ask them what the final bill will be and then be careful what you are signing. If they are a contractor and you sign a pre-lean form, you may end up being stuck with the unfair bill.

Tips for securing your home after a break-in and resulting door damage.

It's the period of time and the tasks to be done that no one likes to think will happen to them. I can count the number of times I fielded a call from a victim of a break-in who, after all was covered regarding the damage, wanted to know what to do now. It was going to take some time to get to their door damage due to scheduling; in the meantime, they were stuck looking at a door that won't close, and that entailed.

Unfortunately, I have dealt with clients dealing with all of this, so I do have some advice to pass on to them from the voice of experience. Step #1 is to inform their immediate neighbors to let them know what has happened and to check their cameras and doors for any signs that the perpetrators visited them.

Then step #2 is to turn on all the lights in the area to show that you are there on site and dealing with the damage. Step #3 is to use wedges or screws or whatever to see if you can secure the door in place so no one can simply walk in. This also might be a good time to call a home service provider to show up to at least secure a sheet of plywood over the opening.

If the actual damage is minimal to the door and frame, then step #4 is to gather up the broken pieces of wood and set them aside because often time they can be glued back in place as part of the door repair. Then before you do too much, make a point of taking good pictures to show to your insurance adjuster if you indeed have insurance to cover it.

Tips for stepping up home security after a broken entry door has been repaired

I have been in the business of home security long enough to say one important thing with certainty: if your home has been broken into by bypassing an entrance door, your home was selected as a soft target by the perpetrators after checking out other homes. So they don't just arrive at your home and commence to bust through your door. Rather, experience has shown that he or they visited and scoped out at least one other home and probably more before deciding which one would be the least troublesome to get into and out of.

So one low-tech yet highly effective thing you can do to make you a hard target is to have a steel security door installed, at least on your front door. I advise all my clients to have security doors installed on all their exterior doors if they can. Then cameras work great for repelling intruders; they just don't like having their picture taken.

So consider having cameras installed and try to make sure that they are installed high enough to be out of reach or they will simply reach up and disable them. Then finally, another trick I learned along the way is to shop around for an old pair of big men's work boots. Find the biggest old boots you can because the bigger the better.

Then place these giant boots in plain sight on your front porch so anyone who walks up to your door sees them. Particularly for single women who live alone, these giant ugly work boots work well for giving any predator something to stop and think about before they go any further.

MORE ABOUT SECURITY DOOR GUARANTEES

There was a time in the not-too-distant past when commercially available security doors were quite the rarity. They could be had by people who felt that they needed them, but those were, for the most part, business operators. There were roll-down-style steel doors, and of course, heavy steel and iron security doors are still in place in older areas of large cities that showcase the metal crafting and blacksmithing skills of craftsmen of generations past, but they certainly weren't available off the shelf like they are today.

So now, quality-made security doors can be easily found that come with decades-long and even lifetime guarantees, all in response to a present and growing need. So then, how can the companies that make them cover them with ironclad guarantees that last so long? The answer to that question is simple: those doors are made so well that they are pretty much impervious to break-ins. There are simply softer or more vulnerable areas on a typical building in comparison. These higher-end solidly built security doors really are that difficult to be breached by force.

There is something worth making note of here, though, that is that the door hardware usually isn't covered, so it's important to read carefully to understand fully the terms of these types of blanket guarantees. So for instance, if the deadbolt on a door is picked or drilled out to gain entry, that would be a completely separate issue. After all, there is varying types and quality of this type of door hardware that isn't even made by the companies that produce security doors.

So what it all boils down to is that if a security door is purchased that comes with one of these extensive guarantees, the odds are by far in the company's favor that they will never be faced with honoring their guarantee. Not due to a lack of integrity but rather due to how solidly built the actual door itself is.

WHY ARE SECURITY DOORS SO NOISY?

There is no mistaking the noise that a security door makes when it's closed or shaken. They are made from solid steel, so they function like a giant steel drum, and the noise carries a long way. Yes, quieter security doors are available, and strategically applied foam weather stripping can help, but for the most part, homeowners tend to just put up with it. As it turns out, the noise that a steel security door makes is viewed by most people as an integral element of their security.

Locks can be drilled out and picked, and metal bars can be cut if someone has the tools and time. But it's the noise involved with these things that perpetrators dread. They prefer privacy and quiet when breaking into a home or business, and there is no mistaking the sound of a steel security door being forcibly bypassed. So if you have a new security door installed and are at first bothered by the noise, keep in mind that so too are crooks looking for an easy target.

HOW ARE EMERGENCY DOOR REPAIRS BILLED?

Over the years of doing door repairs, one thing seems to hold constant regarding interaction with callers seeking solutions. That one thing is that a surprising percentage of them seem to think that they are the sole caller of the day rescuing me from sitting on my couch, hoping for that call. Then when I explain to them that I'm booked up for the next week solid and field upwards of ten calls a day, they have trouble processing it.

Turns out that there are a heck of a lot of homes in the city I live in, and each home has several doors. So the bottom line is that emergency door repairs do get prioritized according to the level of damage and risk they present to the occupant, but they need to be true emergencies. Emergency door repairs call for a fast response, and they can happen any time, day or night. So, in short, they are billed at a premium, and the later in the night, the greater that premium is.

So if an emergency door repair call comes in at 3:00 am, it will have a higher premium than a call at 6:00 in the afternoon. However, before you question the fairness of this flexible billing policy, try to consider that it is the homeowner who is given the final say. They can put on a pot of coffee and wait until the next day for me to show up or pay the added premium for me to roll out of bed and scurry over at 3:00 am.

ARE THERE UPGRADES THAT OFFER ADVANCED SECURITY AFTER BREAK-INS?

One great thing about having your home or business broken into is that you get to see how they did it. Chances are that if you are a relatively normal person, you most likely don't think like a criminal. You simply don't have a criminal mind. A break-in also lets you finally see how lacking police service can be, not in all areas but in some cities and towns it sucks. Break-ins also bring actual results for you to use in comparisons. So, for instance, that expensive security door you passed up for a cheaper one may not seem so expensive when compared to the thousands of dollars of damage you now face.

So all things considered, one popular upgrade that people are now turning to is a loud alarm placed up in the attic near a vent, after discovering that it took the cops over an hour to show up after being alerted. Systems that allow you to actually communicate with intruders are red hot right now. There are, of course, doorbell cameras, but there are also systems that have even further functions.

Then finally, a good dog with a loud bark can go miles toward upping your security, particularly in a business where valuable equipment is at stake. It's just downright difficult to load up swag with a couple of dogs taking turns chomping on your leg.

SAFETY AND SECURITY MEASURES

How can homeowners ensure their home remains secure while waiting for emergency repairs?

One very effective trick criminals use when breaking into a home is to break through the front or back door then conceal themselves somewhere in the area. Then they sit and watch to see how fast and effective the response time is as they decide if the home is worth the risk of looting. This gives them an accurate reading on how much time they have in the home if there even is a response. Then after the owner and the cops have come and gone, they then have a wide open window of opportunity if the door wasn't adequately secured.

So the first task at hand is to make sure that the perpetrator or perpetrators are, in fact, gone. If you have heavy bushes, check them out and go through the home checking closets and under beds. This is no time to think about saving energy too so make a point of turning on all the lights in the home as well as around the perimeter.

If it isn't late at night, it doesn't hurt to notify your immediate neighbors as well so they can check around their yards. Then finally, make a point of sticking around to keep watch. Odds are you think of things that you might need such as plywood or perhaps a flashlight or a weapon such as a baseball bat. But hold off and wait for help to arrive so your home isn't sitting empty and vulnerable.

What are the best practices for enhancing door security after an emergency door repair has been made?

One of the common observations I've made after clients have had me come to their home to do repairs following a break-in through a door is that they tend to be far more open to suggestions regarding security. By far, the best listeners are women who have locked themselves out of their homes and discovered how little effort it took to break through their door to gain entry.

Sometimes, much to their surprise, all it took was a good firm push, and the door they had been relying on to keep them safe simply gave way. So, you just can't beat a good quality steel security door installed over a home's front and back door. Often, that's all it takes to stop a criminal in their tracks and move along in search of a soft target. Then, installing bright lights in a front porch area can only help.

Some people also find that permanent lighting in place of motion sensor-activated lighting makes them feel safer. It gives the appearance of heightened security as crooks don't like light or dogs. Finally, don't go cheap on door hardware. The more door hardware costs to buy, the better it is. Also, make a point of having your cameras installed high enough that they are out of reach.

LEGAL AND COMPLIANCE ISSUES

Who hasn't heard the analogy at least a few times that there are so many obscure laws on the books that it's hard to get through each day without breaking at least one of them? It really is true when it comes to home improvement and repair, and some areas are worse than others. Permits are the main stumbling block to trip over. So whenever I approach any home repair job, and that certainly includes doors, I always make sure to check to see if a permit is required.

Replacing a door with a similar door that is the same size as the existing door is one thing. However, if the wall is being cut into to make way for a larger door, you can bet that a permit is required, and it can get stickier than that. This is because homes and the exterior walls in them are engineered to have a certain level of sheer support to keep the home from flexing under stress.

So there is a certain amount of door and window area that is allowed in comparison to the wallboards in a wall to provide structural sheer support. It's no minor deal because if this rule wasn't in place, people would be hacking into the homes to create added living space at the expense of strength, leading to disastrous results in perhaps a windstorm or an earthquake.

Then there are homeowners association rules that need to be abided by, and here again, what seems to you to be a minor issue may turn out to be a real deal-breaker. In the end, though, if you hire a licensed, bonded, and insured contractor to do the work, staying in compliance is his or her responsibility if the inspector comes knocking to deliver bad news.

HOW DO LOCAL BUILDING CODES IMPACT THE REPAIR PROCESS?

One commonality that I have noticed in clients in need of home repairs I have dealt with over the years is that they most all seem quick to want to upgrade when their home or property has been damaged. That is, they don't want it back the way it was but rather they want it better, bigger, and better. Who can blame them either when they are simply trying to make the best of a bad situation with an insurance settlement check in hand. But adding onto a home to make it bigger and better often comes with some hard lessons.

Local building codes are no joke, and you, like so many before you, might be surprised by how petty they can be. Even worse is if you are caught sidestepping required aspects that are dictated by local building codes. Then something worth mentioning here is where a home improvement is being done can factor in greatly with regards to codes.

So altering a load-bearing wall is always a big deal while a non-load-bearing wall is far easier to get approved. So the best advice I give prospective clients is to take some pictures of the damage then jot down on paper a short brief on what you would like to have done then head into the planning office to talk to someone in charge.

Have a plan #A and a plan #B you can opt for to run by them if they are being difficult. But one thing is for certain, and that is you never argue with them or bait them into any type of conflict because there are so many rules on the book and they aren't required to tell you which ones you have failed. They only need to tell you that your project isn't passing, then leave you to figure out why.

PREVENTATIVE MEASURES FOR FUTURE EMERGENCIES: PREVENTING FUTURE DOOR REPAIRS

I like to remind clients and callers that a lot is expected of doors, particularly doors in a busy business setting. It's surprising that they last as long as they do without needing repairs. So then what are a few things that a typical homeowner can do to ensure a long and trouble-free service life when it comes to their doors and door frames?

Tip #1 is to make sure that all the screw holes in a door's hinges are filled with a screw. Check and see for yourself that some installers take a shortcut and don't put a screw in all of them.

Tip #2 is to have the right exterior doors installed for the climate. Fiberglass doors, for example, work well for a humid climate while wood doors may not if they are exposed to bad weather.

Tip #3 is to watch out for pooling water up against exterior walls of your home. Pooling excess water leads to termites and foundation settling, both of which commonly lead to door damage.

This is so important because a settling foundation is pretty much a permanent issue that leads to a wide host of problems. Consider drought-resistant landscaping up near your home. It requires less water, and make sure that water sprinklers aren't directing spray up onto any exterior walls of your home. The lush green foliage may look nice, but it won't look so nice when your walls need to be torn open due to termite damage or dry rot.