Garage door repair is an investment that pays off in the long run. You can save a considerable amount of money by repairing your garage door opener instead of replacing it. You will also save yourself the time and hassle of finding parts that fit and labor costs associated with a new installation. It can be challenging to know whether it’s worth getting expert garage door repair available or buying and installing a new one. So before you decide on what’s best for your situation, consider the following;
Check The Warranty For Your Garage Door Opener
If you find that your garage door opener is not working like it used to, it could be due to a faulty transmission or drive belt. Your garage door opener may still have a warranty if you are lucky. However, if you are unsure about the warranty status of your garage door opener, consider checking the manufacturer’s website to ascertain the validity of your warranty.
You can also call the manufacturer and provide them with the model number of your garage door opener so they can check their records and let you know if the unit is still under warranty. The manufacturer should send you the replacement parts free of charge.
Are All The Parts You Need Available?
Next, you should ask yourself if all the parts you need are available. Assuming a component is no longer available, it may be time to replace the entire unit instead of trying to repair it. Also, if several different parts make the repair process complex, you’re better off purchasing a new opener. Another factor to consider would be the cost of the features. They may be so expensive that it’s worth buying a new garage door opener rather than repairing an older unit.
Is It Worth Your Time?
No one likes it when their garage door opener has issues. But is it worth your time to have someone else fix it? First, you need to weigh a few things:
- How long do you have to wait for the delivery of parts? It could take days or weeks, depending on the brand or model of your garage door opener. It’s not as simple as it appears and can be inconvenient since most people use their garages daily. It’s no wonder many people at times choose to buy new garage door openers instead of repairing older ones. Thankfully, you can reach out to competent repair companies for an assessment before deciding.
- Is the problem easy for you to fix? Your time is valuable. If it takes you an hour and a half to diagnose and fix the problem, but a professional only takes 15 minutes, it may not be worth your time. On the other hand, if you know exactly what to fix and how to do it quickly, fixing the problem yourself may be the best solution. It could be a perfect project for those who enjoy tinkering with electronics or spending long afternoons in the garage.
- Can you do something productive while waiting for help? As mentioned earlier, your time is valuable. If fixing your garage door opener takes up a large portion of your workday because it takes six hours from arrival to departure, it may not be worth hiring someone. However, if hiring a professional can save you time and allow you to focus on other things, then, by all means, do so.
- Will it damage anything else? Fixing things can be great until you spoil other components in the process. If there’s a risk of damaging something else while fixing the broken part, it’s in your best interest to hire someone who knows what they are doing rather than risking further damage. Otherwise, it can prove costly in the long run.
What’s Your Skillset?
Also, consider whether you have the necessary skills and tools to make this repair. Are all of these costs already in your budget, or do you need to purchase tools separately? If so, that could mean you are spending even more money on a project that may not be worth it in the long run. It’s also worth noting that nails and glue will not stand up to the rigors of a garage door opener for long, especially if they are holding plastic parts together. So are you ready to learn new skills like welding, soldering, and metalworking? All these can be time-consuming when you can hire an expert to solve the problem in a jiff.
Even if your garage door opener is old and rusty and no longer works properly, you can get it working again. However, before you start repairing it, you should check the particular type of garage door opener and other variables to assess if it is worth repairing.