Small problems after a garage is built are common and usually fixable: hairline slab cracks, a door that needs adjusting, a drip at a flashing. Report them in writing and give the builder a chance to fix them. This page is general information, not legal advice.
Every dollar figure on this page is a national figure published by HomeGuide (read October 2026), not a price from us. HomeGuide publishes no figure for New Jersey or Newark, so we do not claim one. On a real job, the price moves with access down a narrow driveway, any old garage to remove, footings deep enough for frost and the finish you pick.
My new garage slab has cracks. Is that normal?
Hairline cracks in a new garage slab are common, because concrete shrinks as it cures, and control joints are cut to guide where it cracks. Cracks that widen, lift one side above the other or let water up are not normal, and the builder should look at them. HomeGuide notes concrete tends to crack in colder climates where the ground freezes regularly, which is why the base and footings matter so much in North Jersey.
My new garage roof leaks. Who fixes it?
Start with the builder: a leak on a roof that was just installed is theirs to look at, so report it in writing with photos taken while it drips. Most leaks on a new garage come from flashing where the roof meets a wall, a vent boot or ice dams at the eaves. If the garage is attached, check the joint with the house roof.
The new garage door will not close right. What should I do?
A garage door that will not close right usually needs its tracks aligned, its springs balanced or its safety sensors lined up. The installer should adjust it. HomeGuide puts typical garage door repairs at $150 to $350 if you end up paying someone else. Leave the springs to a pro; a wound torsion spring can injure someone who loosens it.
What warranty should I get on a new garage?
Ask for any warranty in writing, because New Jersey requires warranty terms to be written into a home improvement contract when there is one. Ask what it covers, for how long and who to call. Materials such as the door, opener and roofing often carry the maker's own warranty, so keep those papers too.
Water comes in under the garage door. How do I fix it?
Water under the garage door usually means the bottom seal is worn, the slab or driveway slopes toward the door, or there is no threshold. A new bottom seal or a threshold strip fixes light cases. When the whole driveway pitches toward the opening, the lasting fix is a channel drain at the door or reshaping the driveway.
The builder will not come back to fix problems. What can I do?
When calls go unanswered, put it in writing: a dated email or letter that lists every open item, with photos and a fair date to finish, and keep a copy of everything you send. Read your contract for any warranty and dispute terms. Still nothing? New Jersey's Division of Consumer Affairs takes complaints against home improvement contractors, and a lawyer can tell you whether small claims court fits your case.
Where do I file a complaint against a contractor in New Jersey?
You can file a complaint against a home improvement contractor with the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, part of the state Attorney General's office, online at njconsumeraffairs.gov. Include the contract, the registration number, payments and photos. For electrical work, the Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors, also under the Division, oversees licensed electrical contractors.
How do I document problems with a new garage?
Take dated photos, keep the contract, permits and inspection records, and write down each call. Keep the final inspection papers in a safe place, because a buyer or lender may ask for them later.
Thinking about a garage on your lot? We come out, measure, check the driveway and whatever is standing there now, and send a written quote. Call or text (917) 909-5756.