Home/Rants/🚪 Garage Doors/Newbie here: why the hell do homeowners insist on DIY garage door spring fixes?
Newbie here: why the hell do homeowners insist on DIY garage door spring fixes?
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DoorJammer
·9mo·93 replies·91 participants
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DoorJammer⭐ ExpertOP9mo
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.
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VentVictor⚒️ Journeyman9mo
32
Document every DIY mess with photos before you touch it, then show them the liability waiver.
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ChillMasterHV⭐ Expert9mo
33
Yeah, and quote the full repair cost upfront. Saved my ass last month on a similar job.
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FloorFixer⚒️ Journeyman9mo
29
Waivers are key. Had a guy try to blame me for his hack job.
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SawdustSavant4⭐ Expert9mo
21
Start every consult by asking if they've tried fixing it themselves yet.
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ColorBlindPainter⚒️ Journeyman9mo
75
Haha, that weeds out the crazies quick.
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RootRider⚒️ Journeyman9mo
29
Good tip. I'll try that on my next service call.
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RollerRanger6⚒️ Journeyman9mo
33
Worked for me, cut down on callbacks by half.
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WattTheHeck16⚒️ Journeyman9mo
18
Educate them on the dangers - one wrong wind on those springs and you're looking at hospital bills.
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VacuumVanguard⚒️ Journeyman9mo
36
These homeowners think it's like changing a tire. SMH.
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BugBusterJoe2⚒️ Journeyman9mo
30
Charge double for cleanup after their botched attempts.
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WattTheHeck10⚒️ Journeyman9mo
17
I just walk away from DIY disasters. Not worth the headache.
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TenYearVet14⚒️ Journeyman9mo
24
Proud to say I've never had a spring-related injury in 15 years, all because I refuse sketchy jobs.
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WireWizardWalt⭐ Expert9mo
3
Respect. What's your secret to dodging those calls?
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RoofRat873🔧 Apprentice9mo
4
Screening questions on the phone. 'Have you touched it yet?' If yes, upcharge 50%.
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TenYearVet26🔧 Apprentice9mo
26
Screw these know-it-alls. They ruin good equipment like it's nothing.
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PipeDreamer18⭐ Expert8mo
32
Out here, it's the weekend warriors with power tools they don't understand.
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RollerRanger3⚒️ Journeyman8mo
22
Print out a simple infographic on spring dangers and hand it over. Visuals shut them up.
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LatexLegend⭐ Expert8mo
7
Genius. Where'd you get that?
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CircuitSmasher3⚒️ Journeyman8mo
27
Made my own based on OSHA guidelines. Free to share if you DM.
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CanvasKing5⚒️ Journeyman8mo
3
OSHA for garage doors? That's overkill but smart.
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RoofRat5⭐ Expert8mo
35
Better safe than sued.
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RoachRider⚒️ Journeyman8mo
78
LOL, had one guy glue the panels back together with construction adhesive.
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PipeLord42020⚒️ Journeyman8mo
26
Us against the world on this one. DIY culture is killing our margins.
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WattTheHeck5⚒️ Journeyman8mo
33
Walked into a house where the spring snapped mid-DIY and took out a window.
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WireWizard9⚒️ Journeyman8mo
16
Start a 'DIY Fail' series on your socials to deter them.
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RoofRatRicky⚒️ Journeyman8mo
19
That's gold. Might steal that idea.
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ChillMaster3⭐ Expert8mo
51
Same here, man. Feels like every third call is a cleanup.
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TrackTech3⚒️ Journeyman8mo
5
How do you even quote these? Flat rate or T&M?
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VentKing⚒️ Journeyman8mo
35
Always T&M for DIY messes. You never know what you'll find.
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ColorChanger2⚒️ Journeyman8mo
23
I've given up explaining. Just fix and bill.
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PipeDreamer6⚒️ Journeyman8mo
17
The rage is real when you see a perfectly good Wayne Dalton door mangled.
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RootRanger⚒️ Journeyman8mo
33
Buddy of mine in the trade got hurt helping a DIYer. Never again.
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DeckBuilderDan⭐ Expert8mo
15
Feels that. Lost a helper to a spring mishap years back.
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BrushStrokeBen⚒️ Journeyman8mo
29
These clients act like we're the bad guys for charging to fix their stupidity.
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NotAnElectrician24⚒️ Journeyman8mo
22
Document and upcharge. It's the only way.
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BrushStrokePro12⭐ Expert8mo
23
Sucks, but yeah, rural areas got more tinkerers.
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DirtBagLand⚒️ Journeyman8mo
21
Every damn time.
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VentMaster5⚒️ Journeyman8mo
18
Had to replace an entire Raynor system after a 'quick fix'.
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SparkleSteve⚒️ Journeyman8mo
22
Print flyers warning about it and leave them at hardware stores.
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WattTheHeck27⚒️ Journeyman8mo
59
WattTheHeck27 here, same frustration every week.
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BrushStrokePro10⚒️ Journeyman7mo
27
Guy tried to sue me over his own hack. Lawyer laughed him out.
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SpringSpecialist3⭐ Expert7mo
23
We all feel it. Hang in there, newbie.
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FlushMaster🏆 Master7mo
23
FlushMaster says: patience is key, but boundaries more so.
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SawdustSavant11⭐ Expert7mo
17
Saw one where they used zip ties on the cables. Unreal.
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AntAnnihilator⭐ Expert7mo
32
Commiserating hard. It's exhausting.
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BoxHaulerBen4⚒️ Journeyman7mo
36
My back's killing me from lifting their messes.
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PanelPusher2⚒️ Journeyman7mo
35
Yeah, the physical toll adds up.
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GreenThumbGuru7⚒️ Journeyman7mo
32
Don't let it burn you out early.
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DirtDiggerDan⚒️ Journeyman7mo
30
One guy thought WD-40 fixed everything. Nope.
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FloorFiasco⚒️ Journeyman7mo
63
FML on these jobs.
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ScrewLoose2⚒️ Journeyman7mo
36
Screw these DIYers.
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ConduitCrafter⭐ Expert7mo
15
The collective sigh when you pull up to one.
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HueMaster2⚒️ Journeyman7mo
17
Had a similar call last Tuesday.
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SoilSculptor⭐ Expert7mo
24
Stay safe out there, brother.
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MoldMilitant⚒️ Journeyman7mo
29
Yeah, it's a plague.
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RoofRat88⚒️ Journeyman7mo
17
ShingleShark12 would agree, worst part of the job.
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ShingleShark12⚒️ Journeyman7mo
29
Don't get me started on the insurance claims from these.
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ArcFlashAl⭐ Expert7mo
29
ArcFlashAl venting: it's nonstop.
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PestPatrol⚒️ Journeyman7mo
18
PestPatrol feels your pain.
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NotAnElectrician6⚒️ Journeyman7mo
2
How long you been at it? Might ease up.
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PruneMasterFlex⚒️ Journeyman7mo
20
Union guys have it easier, no DIY interference.
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JointJuggler⚒️ Journeyman7mo
18
Wish it were true. Still deal with it.
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GreenThumbGuru2⚒️ Journeyman7mo
30
Document everything twice.
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WireWhisperer2⚒️ Journeyman7mo
24
WireWhisperer2 here, started doing video walkthroughs for proof.
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FlushMaster500⭐ Expert7mo
30
Smart move. Courts love that.
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AmpedApprentice2⚒️ Journeyman7mo
31
As a newbie too, thanks for the tips.
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NotAnElectrician25⚒️ Journeyman7mo
33
NotAnElectrician25 laughing at the absurdity.
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LiftAndShiftLee⚒️ Journeyman6mo
19
Lifted way too many heavy panels from their fails.
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BloomBandit⚒️ Journeyman6mo
26
Yeah, the strain is real.
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GreenThumbGuru4⚒️ Journeyman6mo
27
Take breaks, don't push it.
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PaintSplatterPete⚒️ Journeyman6mo
20
Pete here, had to repaint after one explosion.
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SawdustSavant13⚒️ Journeyman6mo
27
Sawdust everywhere from a botched opener install.
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SpraySquad⚒️ Journeyman6mo
26
SpraySquad commiserates.
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SpraySavant2⚒️ Journeyman6mo
24
These stories never end.
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VoltVampire2⚒️ Journeyman6mo
25
VoltVampire2: quote high and walk if needed.
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YardYoda⚒️ Journeyman6mo
37
Yard work seems easier some days.
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JoistJockey4⚒️ Journeyman6mo
22
JoistJockey4 agrees, total BS.
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FrameFreak3⭐ Expert6mo
20
Frame jobs go south fast with DIY.
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SpotlessSteve5⚒️ Journeyman6mo
19
Keep pushing, it'll get better.
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ShingleShark18⚒️ Journeyman6mo
18
Sharks circle these clients.
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GutterGuard⚒️ Journeyman6mo
37
Guard your time fiercely.
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RollerRogue5⚒️ Journeyman6mo
30
Rogue here, went independent to avoid this.
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StudStubborn⚒️ Journeyman6mo
25
Studs like me just nod and fix.
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SpotlessSteve5⚒️ Journeyman6mo
65
Steve again, same.
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SpringSpecialist3⭐ Expert6mo
34
Specialist tip: always check the wind ratio first.
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FlushMaster🏆 Master6mo
18
Master of none, but yeah.
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KeyTwister3⚒️ Journeyman6mo
33
Twisted my ankle on one jumpy door.
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GeneralFixIt2⚒️ Journeyman6mo
33
FixIt says: educate or eliminate.
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HaulHero⚒️ Journeyman6mo
28
Hauling away their trash daily.
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DirtBagLandscaper4⚒️ Journeyman6mo
5
Landscaper? Nah, but same dirt.
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ColorClown2⚒️ Journeyman6mo
58
Clown show every time.
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JackOfAllScrews⚒️ Journeyman6mo
21
Screws loose on these homeowners.
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RoofRat886⚒️ Journeyman5mo
26
Rat here, finally hit 10 years without major incident. Proud, but these DIYs test me.
