Whatever the motivation to install a new garage door, whether to increase your curb appeal, conveniently access your garage, or increase your home's return on investment (ROI), you want it done right. A garage door is an expensive investment, and a botched-up installation could be costly and even pose a danger for you, your family, and your pets. While choosing to DIY your garage door could save you the costs associated with the installation process, you need to be sure to have the necessary skills and experience for the project. While watching DIY garage door installation youtube videos may make it seem like a less daunting undertaking; it's seldom the case. It's wise to leave the installation to professionals if you lack the experience and feel uncertain about your skills. You can click chicagogaragedoor.com/repair for top garage door professionals in Chicago.
Why You Should Leave Your Garage Door Installation To Experts
Going the DIY route to install their garage door may be a seamless process for some people due to their experience and handy nature with various tools. However, this route could only lead to more problems and risks for most homeowners, and it's advisable to leave it to the pros. They will do a perfect job, and it would take most inexperienced people a fraction of the time. Below are 6 reasons (there're many more!) to consider leaving this to experts.
#1: Installation Requires Specialized Tools
Installing a garage door correctly requires various specialized tools only professionals have and know how to use correctly. Without the right tools, the installation process becomes a challenge, if not impossible. They range from complex tools like a counterbalance spring system and torsion spring winding bars to more standard ones like locking pliers, sturdy ladders, screwdrivers, and adjustable wrenches. In other words, since you'll likely not have these tools, you'll need to purchase or hire them, which may not make any financial sense since you'll probably spend more than you would if you hired a professional for approximately $300.
#2: The Garage Door System is Complicated
A garage door comprises various components such as springs, hinges, and electrical devices that should work in sync for the system to work perfectly. You need to ensure that measurements such as the overlaps and height match. Any error in one component may affect the functioning of the whole system and may cause more serious problems if not noticed and corrected early on. To ensure seamless functioning of the garage door components requires an in-depth understanding of particular parts and their role in the whole system.
#3: You Might Void Your Garage Door Warranty
Garage doors come with a manufacturer warranty which could be quite helpful if anything goes wrong during the installation. The warranty is only valid if an insured and licensed professional performs the installation process. Attempting to install the garage door yourself could easily void the warranty if anything goes wrong during the installation.
#4: Experience Matters in Installation
While having theoretical knowledge of the garage door installation process is helpful, practical knowledge matters more. Mistakes are more likely to happen if you've never successfully installed a garage door before. With experience comes confidence and a more keen eye for detail. Professionals have a track record of success and are skilled at ensuring everything is perfect, from balancing to the required safety inspections after installation.
#5: It Might be Costly in the Long Run
After completing the installation process, you may easily fail to notice minor problems with the installation that could lead to complex problems sooner than expected. These problems, which would have likely not occurred if a professional did the installation, will probably cost more money to repair than if you'd paid a professional for the initial installation.
#6: The Process Could be Dangerous
Without the proper tools and experience, the whole process could be dangerous to you and other people. Garage doors are quite heavy, and any mistake during installation could make them come down with a force that could cause serious injury. Treating injuries from an accident during installation could be costly hence counterintuitive to the initial reason for going the DIY route, saving money. Countless homeowners are injured every year from accidents when attempting to install a garage door. Injuries from power tools cause some falls from ladders, injuries from nail guns and hammers, etc. A professional has the right tools, experience, safety gear, and training to avoid such potential injuries.