Newbie here: why the hell do homeowners insist on DIY garage door spring fixes?

DoorJammer

·3mo·93 replies·91 participants

DoorJammer👑 LegendOP3mo

148

I'm a second-year guy working mostly in rural Ohio, and I keep running into these idiots who think watching one YouTube vid makes them a pro at replacing torsion springs on their Clopay doors. Last week, I got called to a job where the customer had half-assed a spring replacement using some cheap extension springs from Home Depot, and the whole damn thing nearly came crashing down on his car. It's frustrating as shit because I'm trying to build a rep, but these DIYers are turning simple $300 fixes into $1500 disasters with bent tracks and busted panels. Saw a thread on r/HomeImprovement where someone bragged about saving money, but IMHO it's just asking for lawsuits. Anyone else dealing with this crap, or am I just in a bad area? Guy in the Garage Door Installers Facebook group said it's worse with older LiftMaster openers.

VentVictor⭐ Expert3mo

Document every DIY mess with photos before you touch it, then show them the liability waiver.

ChillMasterHV👑 Legend3mo

Yeah, and quote the full repair cost upfront. Saved my ass last month on a similar job.

FloorFixer⭐ Expert3mo

Waivers are key. Had a guy try to blame me for his hack job.

SawdustSavant4👑 Legend3mo

Start every consult by asking if they've tried fixing it themselves yet.

ColorBlindPainter⭐ Expert3mo

Haha, that weeds out the crazies quick.

RootRider⭐ Expert3mo

Good tip. I'll try that on my next service call.

RollerRanger6⭐ Expert3mo

Worked for me, cut down on callbacks by half.

WattTheHeck16⭐ Expert3mo

Educate them on the dangers - one wrong wind on those springs and you're looking at hospital bills.

VacuumVanguard⭐ Expert3mo

These homeowners think it's like changing a tire. SMH.

BugBusterJoe2⭐ Expert3mo

Charge double for cleanup after their botched attempts.

WattTheHeck10⭐ Expert3mo

I just walk away from DIY disasters. Not worth the headache.

TenYearVet14⭐ Expert3mo

Proud to say I've never had a spring-related injury in 15 years, all because I refuse sketchy jobs.

WireWizardWalt👑 Legend3mo

Respect. What's your secret to dodging those calls?

RoofRat873⭐ Expert3mo

Screening questions on the phone. 'Have you touched it yet?' If yes, upcharge 50%.

TenYearVet26⭐ Expert3mo

Screw these know-it-alls. They ruin good equipment like it's nothing.

PipeDreamer18🏆 Master3mo

Out here, it's the weekend warriors with power tools they don't understand.

RollerRanger3⭐ Expert3mo

Print out a simple infographic on spring dangers and hand it over. Visuals shut them up.

LatexLegend👑 Legend3mo

Genius. Where'd you get that?

CircuitSmasher3🏆 Master3mo

Made my own based on OSHA guidelines. Free to share if you DM.

CanvasKing5⭐ Expert2mo

OSHA for garage doors? That's overkill but smart.

RoofRat5👑 Legend2mo

Better safe than sued.

RoachRider⭐ Expert2mo

LOL, had one guy glue the panels back together with construction adhesive.

PipeLord42020⭐ Expert2mo

Us against the world on this one. DIY culture is killing our margins.

WattTheHeck5🏆 Master2mo

Walked into a house where the spring snapped mid-DIY and took out a window.

WireWizard9⭐ Expert2mo

Start a 'DIY Fail' series on your socials to deter them.

RoofRatRicky🏆 Master2mo

That's gold. Might steal that idea.

ChillMaster3👑 Legend2mo

Same here, man. Feels like every third call is a cleanup.

TrackTech3⭐ Expert2mo

How do you even quote these? Flat rate or T&M?

VentKing⭐ Expert2mo

Always T&M for DIY messes. You never know what you'll find.

ColorChanger2🏆 Master2mo

I've given up explaining. Just fix and bill.

PipeDreamer6⭐ Expert2mo

The rage is real when you see a perfectly good Wayne Dalton door mangled.

RootRanger🏆 Master2mo

Buddy of mine in the trade got hurt helping a DIYer. Never again.

DeckBuilderDan👑 Legend2mo

Feels that. Lost a helper to a spring mishap years back.

BrushStrokeBen⭐ Expert2mo

These clients act like we're the bad guys for charging to fix their stupidity.

NotAnElectrician24🏆 Master2mo

Document and upcharge. It's the only way.

BrushStrokePro12👑 Legend2mo

Sucks, but yeah, rural areas got more tinkerers.

DirtBagLand⭐ Expert2mo

Every damn time.

VentMaster5⭐ Expert2mo

Had to replace an entire Raynor system after a 'quick fix'.

SparkleSteve⭐ Expert2mo

Print flyers warning about it and leave them at hardware stores.

WattTheHeck27⭐ Expert2mo

WattTheHeck27 here, same frustration every week.

BrushStrokePro10⭐ Expert2mo

Guy tried to sue me over his own hack. Lawyer laughed him out.

SpringSpecialist3👑 Legend2mo

We all feel it. Hang in there, newbie.

FlushMaster👑 Legend2mo

FlushMaster says: patience is key, but boundaries more so.

SawdustSavant11🏆 Master2mo

Saw one where they used zip ties on the cables. Unreal.

AntAnnihilator👑 Legend1mo

Commiserating hard. It's exhausting.

BoxHaulerBen4⭐ Expert1mo

My back's killing me from lifting their messes.

PanelPusher2⭐ Expert1mo

Yeah, the physical toll adds up.

GreenThumbGuru7⭐ Expert1mo

Don't let it burn you out early.

DirtDiggerDan🏆 Master1mo

One guy thought WD-40 fixed everything. Nope.

FloorFiasco🏆 Master1mo

FML on these jobs.

ScrewLoose2⭐ Expert1mo

Screw these DIYers.

ConduitCrafter👑 Legend1mo

The collective sigh when you pull up to one.

HueMaster2⭐ Expert1mo

Had a similar call last Tuesday.

SoilSculptor🏆 Master1mo

Stay safe out there, brother.

MoldMilitant🏆 Master1mo

Yeah, it's a plague.

RoofRat88⭐ Expert1mo

ShingleShark12 would agree, worst part of the job.

ShingleShark12🏆 Master1mo

Don't get me started on the insurance claims from these.

ArcFlashAl👑 Legend1mo

ArcFlashAl venting: it's nonstop.

PestPatrol⭐ Expert1mo

PestPatrol feels your pain.

NotAnElectrician6⭐ Expert1mo

How long you been at it? Might ease up.

PruneMasterFlex⭐ Expert1mo

Union guys have it easier, no DIY interference.

JointJuggler⭐ Expert1mo

Wish it were true. Still deal with it.

GreenThumbGuru2⭐ Expert1mo

Document everything twice.

WireWhisperer2⭐ Expert1mo

WireWhisperer2 here, started doing video walkthroughs for proof.

FlushMaster500👑 Legend1mo

Smart move. Courts love that.

AmpedApprentice2⭐ Expert1mo

As a newbie too, thanks for the tips.

NotAnElectrician25🏆 Master1mo

NotAnElectrician25 laughing at the absurdity.

LiftAndShiftLee🏆 Master1mo

Lifted way too many heavy panels from their fails.

BloomBandit⭐ Expert1mo

Yeah, the strain is real.

GreenThumbGuru4⭐ Expert1mo

Take breaks, don't push it.

PaintSplatterPete🏆 Master29d

Pete here, had to repaint after one explosion.

SawdustSavant13⭐ Expert28d

Sawdust everywhere from a botched opener install.

SpraySquad⭐ Expert27d

SpraySquad commiserates.

SpraySavant2🏆 Master26d

These stories never end.

VoltVampire2⭐ Expert25d

VoltVampire2: quote high and walk if needed.

YardYoda⭐ Expert24d

Yard work seems easier some days.

JoistJockey4⭐ Expert23d

JoistJockey4 agrees, total BS.

FrameFreak3🏆 Master21d

Frame jobs go south fast with DIY.

SpotlessSteve5🏆 Master20d

Keep pushing, it'll get better.

ShingleShark18⭐ Expert18d

Sharks circle these clients.

GutterGuard⭐ Expert17d

Guard your time fiercely.

RollerRogue5⭐ Expert16d

Rogue here, went independent to avoid this.

StudStubborn🏆 Master15d

Studs like me just nod and fix.

SpotlessSteve5🏆 Master13d

Steve again, same.

SpringSpecialist3👑 Legend12d

Specialist tip: always check the wind ratio first.

FlushMaster👑 Legend11d

Master of none, but yeah.

KeyTwister3⭐ Expert10d

Twisted my ankle on one jumpy door.

GeneralFixIt2🏆 Master8d

FixIt says: educate or eliminate.

HaulHero⭐ Expert7d

Hauling away their trash daily.

DirtBagLandscaper4🏆 Master6d

Landscaper? Nah, but same dirt.

ColorClown2🏆 Master5d

Clown show every time.

JackOfAllScrews⭐ Expert4d

Screws loose on these homeowners.

RoofRat886⭐ Expert3d

Rat here, finally hit 10 years without major incident. Proud, but these DIYs test me.