Installing 2-post lift... DIY vs. pay for install?

[snydes]

I'm trying to decide if I want to pay to have this lift installed or tackle it myself. Installation is $450, I consider myself capable of such a task, but is there any reason I shouldn't do it myself? The fact that it is going to be supporting a car over my head does make me nervous about it.

Thanks,
Steve

 

[bmwpower]

I chose to have someone do it. I didn't want to be bothered with doing it myself and screwing something up. After seeing the two guys install mine, I might be able to do it if I had a really strong friend. Muscling those columns up looks pretty scary, even for the guys who did mine.

I figured after paying $3k+ for the lift, I might as well spend a little more to get it professionally installed.

 

[Nealcrenshaw]

I'm not sure, but i do know that when i get my lift i'll give it a go myself that way i can get some experience and have some comraderie with mybuddy's

Plus as the old adage goes "Give a man a fish,he'll eat for a day,teach him to fish he'll eat for a lifetime"

 

[sseaner]

I just installed my two post last week. It was not very difficult at all. The only thing you will need is a nice hammer drill, a good bit, and a torque wrench. Here is a link to the post. Save the $ and buy some nice tools.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=20413

Let me know if you have any questions.

Scott

 

[Mr_fixit]

diy Not too hard. Unless money is no object.

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

Do you already have the lift? Will the installers be there when it is delivered and unload it? Do you have help or any back issues?

For me, it would make more sense to have someone else install it. I don't have the proper equipment to unload it, I don't get/have access to a lot of help and am the DIY'er who is mechanically inclined in the family). If there is some problem, the installers have probably seen it before, and would be liable if it failed (not if the car wasn't properly centered, etc).

 

[jay50]

I just installed my two post last week. It was not very difficult at all.

The only thing you will need is a nice hammer drill, a good bit, and a torque wrench.

Here is a link to the post. Save the $ and buy some nice tools.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=20413

Let me know if you have any questions.

Scott

Also, depending on who you bought it from; might want to have a drill, grinder, and torch on hand to make everything fit....

 

[Vicious_Cycle]

I installed mine myself. Regretted it.

 

[jsuther]

I just finished installing my four post lift myself. It was a lot of work but I'm felling pretty good about it. A second person would have made the job faster. I was quoted $650 to install it. Now that its done, I am glad I did it myself but I did burn up some vacation time.

If I was doing a two post now... I'd pay the $450 to have it done. That's mostly because I haven't had the experience of drilling anchor bolts into concrete yet. I would assume that a proper installation on a two post lift would be more critical than a 4 post. My lift doesn't even require that I bolt it to the floor where as with a two post that's probably the most important part of the install.

 

[volvo]

.
I have watched the pros do many an installs at work ( mainly two posts). At $450 I think that is very reasonable for a quick and peace of mind proper installation. They can be tricky and dangerous if you are not careful. At a later date for some unknown reason that proof of a pro installation may come in handy, ( ie, insurance/damage/lift problem/other??).
Other than just wanting to do it yourself and possible saving a few dollars I see no shame in having some else installing it for you. Others have done it themselves and there is no reason you can't if you so choose.
It just may take a little longer thats all. Good luck and
Enjoy your new lift...H

 

[SteveU]

I chose to have mine delivered and installed rather than picking it up and installing it myself. Reasons for this were: 1. I don't own a trailer & don't have a hitch on the truck. 2. I have no way of lifting a 2500 lb lift off a truck if it was freighted to me. 3. Lining up enough help to wrestle 1200 lb columns around would be a major undertaking. 4. The people that install them know what they are doing, the guy that did mine has been doing it 27 yrs & explained a lot about the lift while he was doing the install. 5. They were here from 11:00 to 3:30 by the time they got it installed, made all the adjustments & got it working. Considering it would have been my first time it would have been a very frustrating experience and would have taken much longer if I would have done it. 6. They used a 3/4" impact to tighten the bolts that hold the arms on the carriage.. I don't own one or a large enough socket to fit them. 7. By the time I would have rented or bought everything needed to do the install it would have cost just as much, been much more frustrating, possibly resulted in injury to me/ damage to the lift. At this point in my life I've come to the conclusion that it is better to hire things such as this done by someone who knows what they are doing and save money in other areas by doing other things myself.

 

[stangkid14]

all of my friends have done theirs themselves no problem. with a buddy or two and a engine hoist its no big deal

 

[SUPERFORD]

I've put together a 4 post before without any problems.

having said that, when I get my two post for my own garage, I'll be paying a professional to deal with delivery and installation. for $400-500bucks, it's worth it to me.

here's something that I don't think has been mentioned:

you will probably never need to use it if you buy a quality lift, but you may void your warranty if you don't have a manufacturer authorized installer put your lift together. I believe that this is the case with rotary.

I did find a local company that was "off the record" willing to let me put the lift together and then they would come buy and inspect it and "sign off" on the install, thus allowing me to maintain my warranty status.

again for $450, it's not worth the trouble to me.

-chris

 

[snydes]

Some very good points from both sides of the coin. After considering all the comments, I think I will pay for the install. I am excited, I've been wanting a lift for a long time!

 

[z28toz06]

I'm not sure, but i do know that when i get my lift i'll give it a go myself that way i can get some experience and have some comraderie with mybuddy's

Plus as the old adage goes "Give a man a fish,he'll eat for a day,teach him to fish he'll eat for a lifetime"

Plus as the old adage goes "Give a man a fish,he'll eat for a day,teach him to fish and he'll drink beer and become a big fat liar![/QUOTE]

 

[6768rogues]

I installed mine myself. It was no big deal and I did it alone. Considering the time it took and the fact that I have a machine that I unloaded it with, $450 is a decent deal.

 

[ovilla]

Renting a flat bed trailer, an engine hoist, and then a BIG hammer drill will easily set you back at least $150-200 for a whole day rental on each. Plus, you have to buy food and beer for all who help out (another $50-75) and maybe even fill up a buddies tank for him (could be another $50 right there). $400 is not that bad to be able and sit back and watch someone else sweat it out and do it right. Best of luck! Make sure you follow up with pics of a car on it's first lift.

 

[Nealcrenshaw]

whaaaaatttt? z28

 

[kvom]

I have a trailer, a hoist, a drill, and a couple of cases of beer. If I can get some helpers I think I'll probably try to install it myself. The instructions are very complete. Main issues needing help seem to be getting columns upright and mounting the top crossbar.

 

[FunfDreisig]

... Main issues needing help seem to be getting columns upright and mounting the top crossbar.

That's what a tractor with a 3/4 ton FEL is for. If my Kubota wants to sleep inside it's going to have to help with the heavy lifting

Funf Dreisig

 

[e-tek]

I'm a little surprised to hear how many "Garage-type-handymen-DIY's" would opt to have someone else put it together! C'mon boys it's half the fun!!

I agree with the sentiments of: spending the money on tools instead and learning more skills (teach a man to drill a freakin' hole...). I did mine with no special equipment but a bunch of friends for 30 minutes.

Besides, many times they just hire some "handyman" who can read instructions. I think I'm at least that smart (but don't ask my wife for a second opinion )

And it's not about money either - I'll gladly pay to have snow or a trench shovelled!!

 

[OldCarGuy]

I have installed both two-post and four-post lifts by myself. Though I have a place to have them delivered to. Trailers to transport them. Cranes to move them around and upright them. And all the tools to put them together including hammer drills and 3/ 4” impact wrenches. And even though I helped with the installation of my BendPak lift, it was nice to just be a helper. Rather than a thinker. Time and money will always dictate if you want to do it yourself or pay someone else for the install.