Artificial intelligence isn’t coming—it’s already here. And for garage door businesses, it’s not optional anymore. AI is streamlining operations, cutting overhead, and opening new doors for growth at a pace traditional systems just can’t match.
In the Torsion Talk podcast, Ryan Lucia breaks down exactly how AI is transforming the garage industry, what tools you should already be using, and how small teams can now compete with big companies.
AI Is Already in Use—Even in Garage Businesses
Ryan pointed out that most garage business owners are already using AI, just not deliberately:
- Siri and Google Assistant
- Predictive text on smartphones
- Chatbots that answer FAQs and book jobs
These tools have improved drastically and, when integrated into your CRM or scheduling software, can handle customer requests 24/7.
They don’t get sick, they don’t forget steps, and they deliver consistent service every time. That means fewer dropped leads and more time for your team to focus on high-impact work.
Need help setting up chatbot and scheduling automation? Markinuity’s web design team can integrate these tools directly into your site.
Top Benefits of AI for Garage Door Businesses
1. Efficiency and Automation
Ryan uses AI to knock out tasks that used to take weeks:
- Creating SOPs in minutes
- Writing follow-up sequences
- Automating CRM triggers
Instead of building conditional logic flows by hand, you can describe what you want—and let AI set it up. This saves time and avoids mistakes from missed tags or incorrect automation.
Tip: Start by identifying tasks that repeat every day (like appointment follow-ups, estimates, or status updates). Those are your best candidates for AI.
2. Better Customer Experience
AI improves the customer journey across the board:
- Instant replies via chat, text, or email
- Personalized service when integrated with CRM data
- No dropped calls or missed inquiries
Ryan shared his experience working in SaaS for the automotive industry, where unanswered chats were one of the biggest conversion killers. With AI, you can field hundreds of inquiries a day—without needing 10 CSRs.
Important: “Answering the phone” won’t be a competitive edge for long. Once every business has AI handling basic communication, you’ll need better differentiators.
3. Real-Time Business Intelligence
This was Ryan’s favorite use case.
He explained how AI can text you when:
- Your call volume drops
- A tech’s closing rate dips
- Your marketing spend starts to misfire
- A specific service category is underperforming
Instead of reviewing reports once a month, AI can send you alerts the moment something goes off track.
It’s like having a virtual analyst watching your KPIs—without needing a six-figure salary.
Looking for AI that syncs with your CRM and reporting stack? Markinuity’s consulting team can set it up.
4. Faster Growth, Less Overhead
Ryan pointed out that the gap between companies with 3 trucks and 30 is shrinking fast. Why? Because AI allows even the smallest teams to act like big companies.
Startups can scale faster when AI:
- Answers phones
- Books jobs
- Sends invoices
- Collects reviews
- Flags operational issues
He’s spending about $1,000/month testing different tools, but many free or low-cost platforms are available if you’re just starting out.
5. Training and Knowledge Transfer
You can build your own internal AI—similar to a Trainual-style knowledge base—that responds to employee questions in seconds.
Instead of calling a manager, a tech can say:
“How do I fix a LiftMaster 8500 that’s making a grinding noise?”
And get a tailored response based on your company’s playbook.
This saves time, reduces frustration, and frees up your leadership team.
Common Misconceptions About AI
“It’s going to replace my team.”
No—it replaces low-value tasks, not people. The most valuable employees will be the ones who adopt AI early and use it to get more done.
“It’s too expensive.”
Plenty of tools cost under $50/month. Others are free. Cost isn’t the blocker—it’s time and training.
“It’s too technical.”
AI can explain itself. You can ask, “Explain this to me like I’m in 3rd grade,” and it will. You don’t need a computer science degree. Just start.
How to Get Started in Your Garage Business
Ryan laid out a simple framework:
- Pick a repetitive task
E.g., meeting notes, follow-up emails, quote generation - Choose a tool
Tools like Fireflies.ai, Otter.ai, or even ChatGPT can join meetings, generate summaries, and suggest next steps. - Test it once
Use a free version. Run it through a real meeting or task. - Train your team
Show staff how to use the tool safely (no uploading sensitive info). Let them experiment and ask questions. - Measure time saved
Track the hours saved, and reinvest that time into revenue-driving work.
Looking Ahead for Garage Door Business Owners
Ryan closed the episode with a warning and a roadmap.
If you don’t adopt AI, your competitors will. By the end of 2025, it will no longer be optional.
You don’t have to be an expert, but you do need a plan.
If you’re a business owner, manager, or technician—you need to understand how AI affects your role. Start now. Train your team. Build internal systems. Create a database of knowledge.
You don’t need to know every command or feature. You just need to get started and learn as you go.
Need help taking the first step?
Explore real examples and learn how contractors are using AI to get more done in less time:
Let us know how we can support your next move.
