![](https://neighborexchange.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/colin-truck-uncrop.jpg)
![](https://neighborexchange.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/A1A_Logos_Color-02-300x180.png)
Colin Thomas (no relation) of A1A Garage Door Services in Vallejo did a first-rate job this week upgrading our 24-year-old chain-style garage door opener with a state-of-the-art belt-driven opener that has a bright LED overhead light and built-in camera with remote connectivity to the MyQ app on my phone that is integrated with Amazon Key delivery.
Here’s why I reached out to Colin: I swear my old garage door opener rattled the whole house when we turned it on. It bugged me, and after I heard how quiet a neighbor’s door was, it bugged me more. But what REALLY bugged me was that the remote closer refused to work some mornings when the sun hit the door directly. So I’d have to get out of my car to close the door from the inside switch and walk back to the driveway through the front door or yard gate. What bugged my wife was that the door’s weatherstripping seal didn’t extend the entire length of the door. These items collectively led us to consider calling a repair person. But who? I searched on NextDoor and found a nice review from our Hiddenbrooke neighbor Marco Moroyoqui about a Vallejo-based company called A1A Garage Door Services. Other Google reviews spoke highly of them too, and the company’s website was professionally done. The website offered me the option to schedule a visit online at a convenient date and time. Colin Thomas called to confirm our appointment.
![](https://neighborexchange.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/new-opener-300x300.jpg)
When Colin arrived, he patiently listened to all our concerns and explained how he could service our existing opener, but gently pointed out its advanced age and the benefits of upgrading. When I asked Colin if he thought our opener was noisy, he answered politely, “I’ve heard worse” but explained that belt-driven openers are the quieter alternative to my chain-operated one. I agreed to upgrade the opener and have him service or replace all the other moving door parts plus the weatherstripping. When he was done after a couple hours, he stepped us through operating the new switches and showed us how to connect it to our phone app. It’s amazing how whisper-quiet the new opener is, and how much brighter the garage becomes every time we step inside.
Colin tells me he has serviced about 5 homes in Hiddenbrooke and he’d like to do more because he lives here in Vallejo. When your garage door bugs you, you should schedule an appointment with Colin at https://a1agaragedoor.com or call him at 408-205-5251.
Leave a Reply