I’ve never installed new garage doors and I just had a customer ask me to do that. I understand the basic steps, but I turned it down because I have no idea how long it takes. Is it a half-day job or a whole day? Also, I don’t know if it’s a 1 or 2-person job.
I didn’t look at this particular job, but I assume I could re-use the old tracks, maybe just replace the springs.
-Don
Replies
I can do a 16x7 and a new opener in a half day easily solo.
I would replace the tracks as well, spaced off the concrete an 1/8 of an inch.
When bidding doors, include a hardware budget as well, angle iron for backhanging the tracks are not included, neither are the bolts for them.
I always refer the HO to a garage door company. The springs can kill you. Plus, they do them all day, everyday and can really crank them out. If I was slow on work, I'd probably still call them and go fishing.
http://grungefm.com
Edited 8/15/2006 9:34 pm ET by RRooster
5 / 6 hours with tear out and using everything new and not hurrying....
never use the old springs.... old tracks maybe if they match the new ones perfectly...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
every time I install one, I end up swearing that the specialists will get the next one.
And every time I hire the speccialist, it goes smooth and fast and I smile while writing the check.
Welcome to the
Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
where ...
Excellence is its own reward!
I did my own 16x7 on our first place, tear out, replace with new and add an opener. Took me the better part of 6-7 hours wasn't hard but learn as you go. I'm in the market for some new doors in the new house (remodel). When I priced the doors the salesman asked if I wanted them to do the tearout and install,"how much I ask" $99 he says. Hey for that they can have the job, and save me some bloody knuckles.
I think I paid $320 in N. Calif three years ago to have a custom made sectional door and garage door opener installed in a newly framed opening. I would never try to do one myself if I can have it done for that price. The installer knew the routine so well and had so many tricks up his sleeve what took him six hours could easily have taken me two days and i would have had a less effective installation had I done it personally.
The guy was a dedicated garage door installer. All he does is install doors. If you want to see some cool doors check out GDI's website.
http://www.garagedoorsinc.com/
karl
Garage doors are actually quite easy but there are a few tricks and a sequence to follow. Installers can put up four doors a day depending on travel distance. Two workers make it easier but doors can be installed by one individual. The only hard part is lifting the door before the springs are on. There can be compatability problems with using existing tracks. They come with the doors, unless you just order the panels. A first time door hanger may take a whole day, reading instructions and re-tracing steps. After three or four, you'll hang a pair in a day with plenty of time to spare. Installers are paid by the door and they will be less expensive than most carpenters. If there is a problem, they fix it. I'd take the job and sub it.
Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
Thanks to all for the responses. The consensus was pretty clear. Until I do my own or a friends, I'll be telling my customers to find someone who does doors full-time.
-Don
Try to refer someone if you can. People like to have somewhere to turn, someone to call. If I don't do it, or can't do it, I try to help them out.
http://grungefm.com
A good idea if you haven't dealt with torsion springs before, I have seen more injuries caused from them things. They have monster truck force when they are loaded up.
I have a set of cold rolled steel 3/8"x 30" bars for winding the springs. Do not use rebar, screw drivers, or socket extenions. I have picked alot of various tools out of the ceiling or the back wall of the garage from this.
Better to be safe than sorry. Be careful. They are alot of fun when you get the "hang" of them.
Also, don't try to haul a 16' garage door in/on a Dodge Dakota. Pay the delivery fee.
Pete Duffy, Handyman
buy a wayne dalton door,box says door can be installed in 30 mins. now i'm not the sharpest tack in the box, but after it took me 5.5 hours and looking at that box the whole time,i call customer service. i ask how anyone could put a 9x7 o/h door up in 30 mins.it took me almost 15 to get it out of the two boxes with the hardware. anyway c/s said they wasn't sure how that figure had been arrived at. so anyway buy wayne dalton and get rich putting doors up in 30 mins. larry
hand me the chainsaw, i need to trim the casing just a hair.