Help! How do install Extension Springs on a Garage door that had a Torsion Spring?

[Rick]

@danceswithcats

A shady way to do business? Springs for overhead doors aren’t a simple x by y opening measurement. How thick is the door? Is it insulated or not? What is the headroom? Springs are heavy, such that carrying around, or stocking a vast inventory isn’t practical. If I sold you the door, then, yes-I will be able to look up and order a spring, and will typically have it in two business days, max. If I didn’t, do you expect me to take a WAG on the spring, come out and then determine that WAG to be incorrect? Of course not. A technician has to come out, determine the spring code, and then risk that the homeowner says, “Nah-I’ll have my brother-in-law fix it.” A charge for the service call is perfectly reasonable, unless you believe people should work for free. If I send a tech, with his truck, and his tools, from portal to portal, he’s burned an hour. His wages, benefits, insurance/depreciation on the truck all continue to accrue, every minute of every day.

I agree completely.

[danceswithcats]

@What Exit?

Would you at least attempt to give a ball park. A high and low figure. How big is the variation on the spring for a 100-120 pound door?

These three I first talked to would not give an idea. $80 is a lot to find out they want a total of $400* when a local guy will do the job for under $200. I would say my first three, better advertised contacts where on the shady side.

Jim

• Who knows, maybe it would only have been $200 with them, but many people do not want to pay $80 for a visit.

The problem with giving a ball park is that the customer only hears and remembers the low figure. I’ve gone out on service calls and found the original installation deficient, such that I won’t do anything unless all problems are rectified. Granted, those are not typical, but if I quote a number, sight unseen, Mr. Customer is going to call me nasty names if I want more. Not saying you would, but my experience over many years is that estimates over the phone are never a good idea.

[What_Exit]

@danceswithcats

The problem with giving a ball park is that the customer only hears and remembers the low figure. I’ve gone out on service calls and found the original installation deficient, such that I won’t do anything unless all problems are rectified. Granted, those are not typical, but if I quote a number, sight unseen, Mr. Customer is going to call me nasty names if I want more. Not saying you would, but my experience over many years is that estimates over the phone are never a good idea.

That would be more than just a spring repair then. I was brought up not to do business with businesses that cannot give a ballpark.

All I asked for was the approximate cost of a spring for a 100-120 lb door. I think it should be easy to say between $100 & $200. If that little bit of information is not forthcoming, I will call the next business.

If the tech comes out and explains that, the bar is rusted beyond hope, the bar cost $45 plus and extra $40 for installation, I am not going to be happy, but I am also not going to be stupid. That is a repair above and beyond what I asked about.

If I invite a tech out for $89.95 and he turns around and says replacing the spring will cost $300 more, I am an idiot that is out either $89.95 or the mark-up that $389.95 represents over the realistic cost of the repair.

BTW: I have worked in both Electrical and HVAC jobs and even helped my BIL the plumber/excavator a few times long ago. My expectations are not unreasonable by these standards. I doubt garage door are that much more complicated than plumbing and HVAC. Electrical is thankfully pretty straight forward for parts.

Jim

[What_Exit]

Just to close this out:

I just had both Torsion Springs replaced for $330. A very good and reasonable deal.

Jim

[A.R.Cane]

@What Exit?

That would be more than just a spring repair then. I was brought up not to do business with businesses that cannot give a ballpark.

All I asked for was the approximate cost of a spring for a 100-120 lb door. I think it should be easy to say between $100 & $200. If that little bit of information is not forthcoming, I will call the next business.

If the tech comes out and explains that, the bar is rusted beyond hope, the bar cost $45 plus and extra $40 for installation, I am not going to be happy, but I am also not going to be stupid. That is a repair above and beyond what I asked about.

If I invite a tech out for $89.95 and he turns around and says replacing the spring will cost $300 more, I am an idiot that is out either $89.95 or the mark-up that $389.95 represents over the realistic cost of the repair.

BTW: I have worked in both Electrical and HVAC jobs and even helped my BIL the plumber/excavator a few times long ago. My expectations are not unreasonable by these standards. I doubt garage door are that much more complicated than plumbing and HVAC. Electrical is thankfully pretty straight forward for parts.

Jim

I wholeheartedly agree Jim, I don’t think the customer is always right, but I do believe deserves to be treated right or they won’t be a customer. 90 bucks for an estimate like this is ridiculous unless there are some unusual circumstances. You did the right thing and it sounds like you came out ahaed.

[Drum_God]

@danceswithcats

A shady way to do business? Springs for overhead doors aren’t a simple x by y opening measurement. How thick is the door? Is it insulated or not? What is the headroom? Springs are heavy, such that carrying around, or stocking a vast inventory isn’t practical. If I sold you the door, then, yes-I will be able to look up and order a spring, and will typically have it in two business days, max. If I didn’t, do you expect me to take a WAG on the spring, come out and then determine that WAG to be incorrect? Of course not. A technician has to come out, determine the spring code, and then risk that the homeowner says, “Nah-I’ll have my brother-in-law fix it.” A charge for the service call is perfectly reasonable, unless you believe people should work for free. If I send a tech, with his truck, and his tools, from portal to portal, he’s burned an hour. His wages, benefits, insurance/depreciation on the truck all continue to accrue, every minute of every day.

First of all, please let me apologize for casting your profession in an unfavorable light. I defer to your experience and expertise, certainly in your community. In my community, there is one overhead door company and they have never charged me to come out and look at a job. Of course, they also were pretty sure of getting the job, since they’re the only game in town and I am already a customer. Also, visiting to diagnose and bid a job doesn’t require an hour’s time. The town simply isn’t that big.

However, surely someone experienced in the overhead door business could give some sort of discussion over the phone. Many of the details you mention could be discussed over the phone. Armed with information, the homeowner could decide whether or not to have a formal estimate done. Surely you deduct the charge for the estimate from the charge for the completed job.

Best wishes. I’m sure your business has lots of ups and downs. (Hey, someone had to say it!)