Garage Door Installation – DIY or Hire a Pro?

Are you planning to install new garage doors or upgrade existing ones for your home. In this article we will discuss some key considerations and how to approach the process. 
 
Installing a new garage door is a project many homeowners take on themselves to save money. While it may seem feasible, attempting DIY garage door installation has serious risks and drawbacks compared to hiring a professional.

The Importance of Safety First

Garage doors are not just massive structures; they are cumbersome and house numerous dangerous components such as springs under severe tension.


Without the correct expertise and the appropriate tools, homeowners expose themselves to the risk of injuries like falling doors and injuries from being caught in the door, among others.


Professionals have the equipment, knowledge and techniques to safely handle all aspects of installation.

Complexity of Installation of Garage Doors

Proper garage door installation requires expertise. All parts from tracks to torsion springs must be measured, leveled, and tensioned perfectly to avoid future issues.

Doors need to be properly weatherproofed. Electric openers involve programming and calibration. There are many complex steps the average DIYer may not execute correctly. 

You also have the challenge of needing the right equipment. Professionals have invested in all the necessary tools, ladders and lifting equipment to efficiently transport and install doors.

They have access to additional helpers, equipment and transport vehicles. 

The Value of a Professional

Reputable garage door companies only hire knowledgeable installers who have gone through extensive hands-on training and have experience installing doors on all types of homes and commercial buildings. These seasoned professionals are intimately familiar with all the proper techniques, best practices, and relevant building codes to ensure a smooth installation and safe, well-functioning door.

As a homeowner attempting DIY garage door installation, you may not have this same level of specialized training and expertise. Without the proper knowledge, you may make small but critical errors in the installation that compromise safety and door performance down the line. Skilled installers have the discerning eye to get all aspects spot on the first time.

Another major benefit of hiring a professional garage door installation company versus doing it yourself is that you get coverage in case anything goes wrong.

Reputable companies will stand behind their work and provide warranties on labor and materials. This provides you with peace of mind and financial protection.

Licensed installers also carry insurance that covers damages or injuries during installation, whereas DIYers take on all liability themselves.

 Ultimately, the investment in a trained professional who truly knows garage doors inside and out, can expertly handle the installation, and provides warranties and insurance is well worth it compared to a DIY approach. Paying a bit more upfront gives you added safety, expertise, and assurance – invaluable things a homeowner struggles with when tackling a complex project like garage door installation solo.

Time Saving Benefits of Hiring a Pro

Professional garage door installers can complete an entire installation in just a few hours, while a DIY project can stretch on for days or even weeks. Their advanced expertise and efficiency lets them get the job done right the first time, in a single trip, without any hassles.

As a homeowner, you would need to research and purchase all the proper equipment needed, carefully review installation techniques, and still likely make errors that require corrections and extra work. All this takes up far more of your valuable free time compared to having a pro handle it seamlessly.

Additionally, taking time off work to install a garage door yourself can end up being more costly than the price of hiring a professional when you account for lost wages. Why spend your weekends wresting with a tricky, complex project when a seasoned pro can have your new garage door installed in no time?

The minor upfront cost savings of DIY garage door installation are just not worth the huge trade-off in convenience, speed, and wasted time in the long run.

Conclusion

Get quotes from professional installers to compare pricing.

When you factor in the risks, frustrations, and time expenditures of tackling this yourself as an amateur, having an expert complete the job quickly and flawlessly ends up bringing much more value.

Your safety and ending up with a smooth, proper installation should be the top priorities.

In nearly every case, you are better off leaving garage door installation to the seasoned professionals.