If you’ve been paying attention to social media, you’ve probably seen those funny videos of garage doors slamming shut just when the car is about to go out or lifting kids by their shirts like a pinata. They all give us a hefty laugh, whether we like to admit it or not. But, setting aside the hilarious ways these garage doors malfunction, surely we all know these are major causes for concern. Garage doors are huge exit points that we rely on to get our vehicles out when we go to work, so a broken one can cause you to be late on your way to the office. They are also large entrances to our residences, which can make you susceptible to burglars or intruders if yours isn’t working well.
So, it’s obvious that maintaining a functioning garage door is important. Usually, broken doors are a result of faulty motors that aren’t maintained well or are just cheap, low-quality items you might have dug out from a discount store. Repairing them is never easy; garage door motor replacement, after all, takes tedious work. You might be tight on a budget and want to do it on your own (if you have the time) or hire a professional and have them fix it for you if you have the finances to do that. But which one is better for you?
The Pros and Cons of DIY repair
Cost-Effective but Costly Too – Of course, repairing it yourself will save you a lot of money. You don’t need to think about labour costs, and you can purchase the materials needed on your own and have the freedom to choose them based on your budget. It will even save you more money if you already have these parts in your home. But if you don’t have the proper skills for the job, doing DIY repairs can make your situation worse. You can break your motor entirely if not careful, and this would lead to you replacing the entire thing and giving you a run for your wallet.
A Learning Experience or Skill Issue? – Doing DIY repairs can give you a further edge by giving you valuable knowledge. You will gain new skills and will even improve and sharpen your problem-solving and decision-making, which you can utilise with our home repairs too. However, remember that maintenance and repairs are no easy task for the average individual. If you do not have the necessary skills to pull it off, then it might make the situation worse. There are key risks you must consider, which include your personal safety.
Convenience is Key, or Is It? – One of the best advantages of this method is that you have the side of time with you. You can already start repairing the moment you see there’s a problem. Scheduling your repairs is also very convenient, unlike hiring professionals, wherein you must meet them personally in specific time frames, which might not be in your best interests. However, it is also important to note that some of the tools required to address complex problems with faulty motors are not readily available on the market. A handful are only accessible to be purchased by trained professionals.
The Pros and Cons of Professional Repair
Experts But Costly – You don’t need to worry anymore about your garage door motor getting worse since professional repairmen have the skills and experience to give a quick and quality fix to your garage door that not only solves the problem quickly but also extends its longevity. However, as with all professional repair work, it’s not often cheap, especially if the problem is too complex. You must take note of the professional and material fees needed for the repairs.
Insurance and Warranty Too Good to Be True? – The best advantage of professional repair, however, is their issuance of warranties, and if you are covered, they can be managed by your insurance. Warranties also make sure that if your garage door motor malfunctions, it can be free of charge if the warranty is still in effect. However, some repair companies do take advantage of warranties by purposely making a half-hearted attempt at their repairs so you will avail of their services continuously until your warranty lapses and you must pay again, so be wary of these types of scams.
Long-Term Durability, but Not Always Available – DIY repairs are often temporary solutions since the required skills for long-term repair and maintenance require professional training. These skills are necessary to ensure a successful installation. Seeking professional repair services extends the life of your garage door motor, which will give you another edge by cutting your costs since you don’t need to constantly worry about getting it fixed. But it is also important to note that professional services such as these are not always convenient when it comes to their availability, after all there are little to no 24/7 repair services, and sometimes a repair company might be overbooked to be scheduled on your allotted time frame.