Before you lock in a contract with a garage door company, you’ll need to do some research to make sure you’re getting the proper treatment and the most high-quality service. There are some tips and tricks to determine what to look for in a credible garage door that we’ll be going over in this article. We’ll also cover how to avoid fraudulent garage door companies.
What kind of issues warrant a visit from a garage door company? There are some pretty obvious problems, such as your garage door not opening or closing correctly, your door opening slower than usual or unevenly, or your garage becoming noisier over time. You can also run into issues with your garage door remote and its connection to the actual door or even the pin pad on the inside of your garage.
Your garage is a safe space for your cars and excess storage. It’s crucial to maintain the effectiveness of your garage door so that you can get in and out quickly, keep your belongings protected, and prevent theft. One of the most common entry points for burglary is actually through the garage door because oftentimes homeowners forget to lock the door that leads inside. If your garage door is broken or half open, this leaves you more susceptible to theft. This is why it’s so important to get in touch with a credible garage door company ASAP!
5 Signs of a Credible Garage Door Company
The main determining factors that determine a garage door company is legitimate are: proof of certifications, positive online presence, price comparisons, guarantees/manufacturer warranties, and services offered. Taking these factors into consideration can help you decide which garage door company you should sign off with. Let’s break down these five essential factors to consider when researching garage door companies.
1. Proof of Certifications
When searching for a garage door company, see if you can find proof of their certifications and/or memberships. These act as credible verification of their quality of services. There are several certifications and associations that you can look out for when researching a contractor. The IDA (International Door Association) is a prime example of this.
The IDA is a prestigious organization for the door and access system industry. Credible garage door contractors join this group. Garage door companies that belong to the IDA are committed to responsible business practices. Members of the IDA follow the IDA Code of Business Conduct. They practice honesty and fairness in the industry. This is just one example of certification you can look out for when choosing a contractor.
2. Price Comparisons
We might not need to tell you this, but comparing quotes between companies for the same service can be a determining factor of a credible garage door company. By comparing quotes, you can get insight into the average cost of a particular service and see if any of these companies are overcharging to make an extra buck or under-charging to get away with quick and cheap service.
- Does this company ask discovery questions before coming up with a quote?
- Does this company offer free quotes and allow you to compare quotes between products or services?
- Do they explain the differences between products so that you’re making the most educated choice?
If you said yes to these, then you may have found a credible garage company to work with! After getting price quotes from the garage contractors you’ve called, you’ll be able to make a much more informed decision about who to go with.
3. Guarantees and Manufacturer Warranties
The most legitimate and trustworthy garage door companies stand behind their work. Making sure you’re working with a manufacturer-approved garage door contractor is a sign of credibility. You can also take advantage of a manufacturer’s warranty on any garage door or garage door part installations. To really know you’ve chosen a good garage door contractor, you’ll see that this company will go above and beyond their warranty with a customer satisfaction guarantee. Be sure you can tell the difference between a credible guarantee and an empty promise.
4. Positive Online Presence
A garage door company’s online presence can be very telling. This can range from a number of positive community reviews to how quickly they respond to questions on their social media accounts. The more involved a company is with its community, and the more responsive they are can show its transparency and credibility. Take some time to reach out to a company if you’re considering them for service and read through their customer reviews. The honest opinions of your community can give you a lot of insight into this garage door company’s quality.
Remember, a company doesn’t need to have 100% positive reviews to be credible. It should just be the overwhelming majority. A company with few reviews and only positive ones is probably not credible, and the reviews are most likely fake.
5. Services Offered
What kind of services does this garage door company offer? Do they offer emergency services should you not be able to open your garage door? Consider if this company pushes cheap prices over quality work- while everyone wants to save money, it quickly becomes a waste of money if you don’t receive high-quality work. See if this company provides services on the particular model of garage door you own. Not every garage door company is created equal, so make sure you’re working with a team that has more to offer.
How to Avoid Fraudulent Garage Door Companies
No one deserves to get scammed. When searching for a garage door company to work with, you want to separate the potentially fraudulent companies from the most legitimate ones. When you call the garage door company, there are things to make note of during the conversation. Here are some of the most common things to avoid when deciding on a credible garage door company.
Say No When They Don’t Have a Legit Location
A major clue that may reveal if they are a scam company is by asking for their address. If their address isn’t a place you can see on google maps, or the place they tell you doesn’t match their Google My Business profile, it’s probably a good idea to skip them. We’d also advise skipping on companies that operate out of what appears to be someone’s house. If you sense any lack of confidence in their answer, don’t bother continuing the conversation.
Additionally, take note of all their contact information and branding when researching a garage door company. Check to see if their website, business cards, email addresses, and phone numbers match, or if they lead to subcontractors or other shady results.
Avoid Payment Up Front
Does this company require you to pay up front? It’s not uncommon for scammers to ask for half of the cost they charge up front before completing a job. They intend to convince you it’s necessary by only asking for half up front- then taking your money and never showing up. A credible garage door company or any home services contractor will ask for payment after the job is completed to account for materials, labor, and so forth. This is different from receiving a quote up front. All companies can quote you based on the service, but they won’t charge you before the work is done.
Pass on Companies with Extremely Low Prices
We all want the best deal when it comes to any home service job. But choosing the company with the lowest prices is actually not a good idea. Companies that give you a rate far lower than their competitors have a tendency to provide lousy work or worse- have surprise fees added to your total after the job is done. The total for your service should never greatly exceed the agreed upon price. All fees should be laid out before you sign anything.
Know How to Identify the “Rebuilding Scam”
An honest garage door company will never push you to replace all the parts of your garage door when only one issue is present. The rebuild scam starts innocently enough, but then the technician will suggest that you replace every piece of your garage door. They’ll try to convince you, no matter how minor the problem is with the garage door, that you replace everything from the torsion springs, rollers, cables, bearing brackets, and even the motor. Then they try to sell the replacement parts at triple the price! These fees are usually buried somewhere in the contract in fine print so it’s easy to miss.
The thing to remember is that It’s very unlikely for every piece of your garage door to wear out all at once. Most garage door parts last from 10 to 15 years, so if this technician tries to convince you that you need a complete garage door makeover, you need a second opinion. Never let any garage door contractor upsell you into a complete replacement without doing your research first.
Choose Garage Door Doctor for Credible Garage Door Service!
If you’re looking for a credible garage door company in the Indianapolis, Lafayette, Columbus, or Fishers & Carmel area, look no further than Garage Door Doctor! We’ve been serving homeowners with reliable and legendary garage door service since 2009 and have no plans for slowing down! We offer 24/7 emergency service for those times when your garage door problems cannot wait. Customer service is our number one priority and the reviews speak for themselves! We’re a family owned and operated garage door contractor associated with the IDA and BBB accredited. We never upsell you on parts you don’t need or hide fees from you until the last second. We’re upfront with our customers and provide quality service every time.
Need a quote for garage door service? Get in touch with our team at Garage Door Doctor today!