The garage door may not be something you think about a lot, at least when it’s in proper working order. However, you must remember that that door is the largest mobile component of your entire home. Many people use the garage as an entry point, even eschewing the front door to make the garage the main access point. That is why it’s crucial that you take care of your family by only trusting a seasoned professional to take care of the repairs you need.
If you don’t know a garage door specialist, chances are one of your friends or neighbors does. You can talk to them and determine whether they had any problems with their own contractor. Knowing someone who has used a worker can give you peace of mind that the person you are hiring is responsible and knows how to do their job correctly.
However, if you need someone now and don’t have the ability to talk to someone who has had work done previously, there are ways to avoid falling prey to scammers who want your money but won’t be able to put the work in.
Let Google Do Its Work
So, you have decided to get on Google or check a Yellow Page website to find the perfect garage door repairmen. That’s a very good idea, especially if you can locate the contractor on a review site. You may be able to read about other’s experiences with the person and determine whether you trust them.
However, you should also keep an eye out for a few things once you click on that link. Determine whether the deal seems too good to be true because if it appears that way, it usually is.
Business Location. Does the website for this company have a physical address listed? Can you find the address on Google Maps? When you call, do you get routed to someone who is in a call center, rather than at the location? Check for photos of the business, their work, and even the person who is the owner. Individuals who are trying to find business know that providing necessary information about the work is going to get more clients. Someone who believes in the work they do is going to have photos to show prospective clients. Check Google Images and see if the images are stolen if you’re unsure whether they are legitimate.
Association Membership. If your potential contractor is a member of a construction or garage door installer association, you will typically find logos for that organization on the website. Check for any of those. You should also determine whether they have any recommendations from places like Angie’s List, Yelp, or the Better Business Bureau. All of those things point toward an actual contractor, rather than a scammer.
Customer Reviews. If there are customer reviews or testimonials, do you know anyone who is listed? If so, call them up and find out how they like the company. If not, be wary of any site where all reviews are glowing. You should also be wary of a review with only a first name. These are likely to be fake and not worth your time.
Look Deeper Into the Company. Go a bit farther with your internet sleuthing and see if the company is listed or mentioned on other websites. If they only seem to be on free classified ads sites, that signals something fishy. Do they have a Facebook page? If they do, check that out too. See if they’ve posted projects recently that you can look at. If there are, they’re likely a reputable option.
Contact via Telephone
The vast majority of companies who specialize in garage door repair are available during regular business hours, often between 7:30 am and 5:00 pm. If you are still unsure where you are dealing with a reputable repair person, call and ask them a few quick questions.
- What is the address of the business?
- Do you have all required operating licenses?
- Does your company have liability insurance coverage?
- Are the employees covered by accident insurance?
- Are your vehicles marked with the company name or will a subcontractor in a personal vehicle be sent?
If the individual you’re speaking with gives an overall price to repair your garage door without having seen it, you may be chatting with a scammer. When communicating with a legitimate business, they will typically quote you their hourly rate, along with mileage, and a basic idea of what the price may be as based on your description of the problem. A common issue is a broken spring, which will require a technician coming on site to determine the type of spring, its size, and what repairs are needed and what they will cost.
A worker will also often check to ensure there aren’t other problems that they can repair to provide you with a properly working garage door. They will also take a look at the automatic reversal system attached to your door opener to make sure that everything is at 100%.
After the Technician Arrives
After you have a contractor at the site of your garage door, it’s a good idea to ask for a written estimate of what the cost will be and what those costs correspond to. If the worker expects you to give them payment in advance, this is something to beware of. That applies doubly if they ask for the money in cash.
Once everything is done, a good company will provide you with any parts that were changed. You also should be provided an invoice that explains the warranty on parts and labor, even if that requires you to pay the bill with your credit card after the entire job is complete.
What if I Need a New Garage Door Instead?
You can contact us at 717-901-4056. We are professional and well established in the area, consistently providing excellent work at every job. We can sit down with you and go over your needs to help you determine the best product for your style of home and budget. We are also happy to offer an online quotation for whatever you require.
If you prefer, you can also meet us at our showroom. You can also use our Design Centre to look at your options and decide what best fits your home!
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