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
·6mo·93 replies·91 participants
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DoorJammer⭐ ExpertOP6mo
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⚒️ Journeyman6mo
32
Document every DIY mess with photos before you touch it, then show them the liability waiver.
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ChillMasterHV⭐ Expert6mo
33
Yeah, and quote the full repair cost upfront. Saved my ass last month on a similar job.
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FloorFixer⚒️ Journeyman6mo
29
Waivers are key. Had a guy try to blame me for his hack job.
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SawdustSavant4⭐ Expert6mo
21
Start every consult by asking if they've tried fixing it themselves yet.
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ColorBlindPainter⚒️ Journeyman6mo
75
Haha, that weeds out the crazies quick.
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RootRider⚒️ Journeyman6mo
29
Good tip. I'll try that on my next service call.
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RollerRanger6⚒️ Journeyman6mo
33
Worked for me, cut down on callbacks by half.
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WattTheHeck16⚒️ Journeyman6mo
18
Educate them on the dangers - one wrong wind on those springs and you're looking at hospital bills.
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VacuumVanguard⚒️ Journeyman6mo
36
These homeowners think it's like changing a tire. SMH.
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BugBusterJoe2⚒️ Journeyman6mo
30
Charge double for cleanup after their botched attempts.
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WattTheHeck10⚒️ Journeyman6mo
17
I just walk away from DIY disasters. Not worth the headache.
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TenYearVet14⚒️ Journeyman6mo
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⭐ Expert6mo
3
Respect. What's your secret to dodging those calls?
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RoofRat873🔧 Apprentice6mo
4
Screening questions on the phone. 'Have you touched it yet?' If yes, upcharge 50%.
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TenYearVet26🔧 Apprentice6mo
26
Screw these know-it-alls. They ruin good equipment like it's nothing.
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PipeDreamer18⭐ Expert6mo
32
Out here, it's the weekend warriors with power tools they don't understand.
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RollerRanger3⚒️ Journeyman6mo
22
Print out a simple infographic on spring dangers and hand it over. Visuals shut them up.
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LatexLegend⭐ Expert6mo
7
Genius. Where'd you get that?
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CircuitSmasher3⚒️ Journeyman6mo
27
Made my own based on OSHA guidelines. Free to share if you DM.
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CanvasKing5⚒️ Journeyman6mo
3
OSHA for garage doors? That's overkill but smart.
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RoofRat5⭐ Expert6mo
35
Better safe than sued.
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RoachRider⚒️ Journeyman5mo
78
LOL, had one guy glue the panels back together with construction adhesive.
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PipeLord42020⚒️ Journeyman5mo
26
Us against the world on this one. DIY culture is killing our margins.
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WattTheHeck5⚒️ Journeyman5mo
33
Walked into a house where the spring snapped mid-DIY and took out a window.
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WireWizard9⚒️ Journeyman5mo
16
Start a 'DIY Fail' series on your socials to deter them.
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RoofRatRicky⚒️ Journeyman5mo
19
That's gold. Might steal that idea.
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ChillMaster3⭐ Expert5mo
51
Same here, man. Feels like every third call is a cleanup.
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TrackTech3⚒️ Journeyman5mo
5
How do you even quote these? Flat rate or T&M?
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VentKing⚒️ Journeyman5mo
35
Always T&M for DIY messes. You never know what you'll find.
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ColorChanger2⚒️ Journeyman5mo
23
I've given up explaining. Just fix and bill.
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PipeDreamer6⚒️ Journeyman5mo
17
The rage is real when you see a perfectly good Wayne Dalton door mangled.
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RootRanger⚒️ Journeyman5mo
33
Buddy of mine in the trade got hurt helping a DIYer. Never again.
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DeckBuilderDan⭐ Expert5mo
15
Feels that. Lost a helper to a spring mishap years back.
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BrushStrokeBen⚒️ Journeyman5mo
29
These clients act like we're the bad guys for charging to fix their stupidity.
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NotAnElectrician24⚒️ Journeyman5mo
22
Document and upcharge. It's the only way.
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BrushStrokePro12⭐ Expert5mo
23
Sucks, but yeah, rural areas got more tinkerers.
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DirtBagLand⚒️ Journeyman5mo
21
Every damn time.
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VentMaster5⚒️ Journeyman5mo
18
Had to replace an entire Raynor system after a 'quick fix'.
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SparkleSteve⚒️ Journeyman5mo
22
Print flyers warning about it and leave them at hardware stores.
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WattTheHeck27⚒️ Journeyman5mo
59
WattTheHeck27 here, same frustration every week.
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BrushStrokePro10⚒️ Journeyman5mo
27
Guy tried to sue me over his own hack. Lawyer laughed him out.
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SpringSpecialist3⭐ Expert5mo
23
We all feel it. Hang in there, newbie.
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FlushMaster🏆 Master5mo
23
FlushMaster says: patience is key, but boundaries more so.
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SawdustSavant11⭐ Expert5mo
17
Saw one where they used zip ties on the cables. Unreal.
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AntAnnihilator⭐ Expert5mo
32
Commiserating hard. It's exhausting.
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BoxHaulerBen4⚒️ Journeyman5mo
36
My back's killing me from lifting their messes.
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PanelPusher2⚒️ Journeyman5mo
35
Yeah, the physical toll adds up.
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GreenThumbGuru7⚒️ Journeyman4mo
32
Don't let it burn you out early.
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DirtDiggerDan⚒️ Journeyman4mo
30
One guy thought WD-40 fixed everything. Nope.
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FloorFiasco⚒️ Journeyman4mo
63
FML on these jobs.
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ScrewLoose2⚒️ Journeyman4mo
36
Screw these DIYers.
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ConduitCrafter⭐ Expert4mo
15
The collective sigh when you pull up to one.
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HueMaster2⚒️ Journeyman4mo
17
Had a similar call last Tuesday.
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SoilSculptor⭐ Expert4mo
24
Stay safe out there, brother.
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MoldMilitant⚒️ Journeyman4mo
29
Yeah, it's a plague.
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RoofRat88⚒️ Journeyman4mo
17
ShingleShark12 would agree, worst part of the job.
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ShingleShark12⚒️ Journeyman4mo
29
Don't get me started on the insurance claims from these.
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ArcFlashAl⭐ Expert4mo
29
ArcFlashAl venting: it's nonstop.
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PestPatrol⚒️ Journeyman4mo
18
PestPatrol feels your pain.
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NotAnElectrician6⚒️ Journeyman4mo
2
How long you been at it? Might ease up.
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PruneMasterFlex⚒️ Journeyman4mo
20
Union guys have it easier, no DIY interference.
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JointJuggler⚒️ Journeyman4mo
18
Wish it were true. Still deal with it.
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GreenThumbGuru2⚒️ Journeyman4mo
30
Document everything twice.
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WireWhisperer2⚒️ Journeyman4mo
24
WireWhisperer2 here, started doing video walkthroughs for proof.
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FlushMaster500⭐ Expert4mo
30
Smart move. Courts love that.
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AmpedApprentice2⚒️ Journeyman4mo
31
As a newbie too, thanks for the tips.
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NotAnElectrician25⚒️ Journeyman4mo
33
NotAnElectrician25 laughing at the absurdity.
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LiftAndShiftLee⚒️ Journeyman4mo
19
Lifted way too many heavy panels from their fails.
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BloomBandit⚒️ Journeyman4mo
26
Yeah, the strain is real.
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GreenThumbGuru4⚒️ Journeyman4mo
27
Take breaks, don't push it.
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PaintSplatterPete⚒️ Journeyman4mo
20
Pete here, had to repaint after one explosion.
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SawdustSavant13⚒️ Journeyman4mo
27
Sawdust everywhere from a botched opener install.
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SpraySquad⚒️ Journeyman4mo
26
SpraySquad commiserates.
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SpraySavant2⚒️ Journeyman3mo
24
These stories never end.
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VoltVampire2⚒️ Journeyman3mo
25
VoltVampire2: quote high and walk if needed.
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YardYoda⚒️ Journeyman3mo
37
Yard work seems easier some days.
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JoistJockey4⚒️ Journeyman3mo
22
JoistJockey4 agrees, total BS.
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FrameFreak3⭐ Expert3mo
20
Frame jobs go south fast with DIY.
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SpotlessSteve5⚒️ Journeyman3mo
19
Keep pushing, it'll get better.
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ShingleShark18⚒️ Journeyman3mo
18
Sharks circle these clients.
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GutterGuard⚒️ Journeyman3mo
37
Guard your time fiercely.
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RollerRogue5⚒️ Journeyman3mo
30
Rogue here, went independent to avoid this.
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StudStubborn⚒️ Journeyman3mo
25
Studs like me just nod and fix.
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SpotlessSteve5⚒️ Journeyman3mo
65
Steve again, same.
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SpringSpecialist3⭐ Expert3mo
34
Specialist tip: always check the wind ratio first.
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FlushMaster🏆 Master3mo
18
Master of none, but yeah.
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KeyTwister3⚒️ Journeyman3mo
33
Twisted my ankle on one jumpy door.
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GeneralFixIt2⚒️ Journeyman3mo
33
FixIt says: educate or eliminate.
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HaulHero⚒️ Journeyman3mo
28
Hauling away their trash daily.
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DirtBagLandscaper4⚒️ Journeyman3mo
5
Landscaper? Nah, but same dirt.
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ColorClown2⚒️ Journeyman3mo
58
Clown show every time.
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JackOfAllScrews⚒️ Journeyman3mo
21
Screws loose on these homeowners.
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RoofRat886⚒️ Journeyman3mo
26
Rat here, finally hit 10 years without major incident. Proud, but these DIYs test me.
