Some garage door companies seek to make a profit by hiring unskilled subcontractors or by doing the work without the proper knowledge, skills and equipment. Unfortunately, these companies can make the whole industry look bad. You may have had a bad experience with a garage door service in the past, and this has made you skeptical of the entire industry.
There are good garage door businesses out there; you just have to know how to find them. Here are some things that will help you recognize incompetent amateurs, and some tricks that they will use to gain your trust. With these things in mind, you can find skilled and trustworthy pros who will do the job right.
How do poor garage door companies trick customers?
- Low‑quality garage door companies often work in urban or suburban areas, where there are many garage door options. They think that potential customers will not be able to tell the difference between them and other companies.
- They will make their company appear bigger than it is by placing advertising online, in print or in phone directories.
- They may operate their business under different names, and they may not have a fixed address.
- The different advertisements may have different phone numbers, and the company may claim to cover many different cities, even though they just hire subcontractors to do the work.
- They say they are “Number 1” and provide “emergency service.” They hope that customers will be in a hurry to fix their door and will not do any research into the “Number 1” claims.
- Their website and advertising will show pictures of branded trucks and modern equipment. If you hire them, however, the repair people will not show up in these vehicles (usually because they are subcontractors who do not actually work directly for the company).
What to watch out for:
- Companies that promise 24‑hour emergency service. They may indeed offer this service, but they will not tell you that the price is much higher.
- Companies that take more than a day to install a new door or make repairs. This often means that they do not have the correct parts or tools on their truck, or they have not been properly informed about the details of the job.
- Companies that offer “sales” or “discounts” that seem too good to be true or that require you to “act immediately” before the discount disappears.
- Companies with technicians who show up without a company branded vehicle. This usually means that they are subcontractors and not actually associated with the company.
- Companies that do not have a place of business, such as an office, showroom or warehouse.
- Companies that try to upsell by telling you that you need a new door instead of a simple repair.
Do your research
- Reputable companies will provide examples of past work done in your area. You may even be able to contact people who have had work done by this company in the past. You can ask them about their experiences.
- Ask people you trust (friends, family, co‑workers) what they think about the company.
- If possible, go to the business to get a quote. This will allow you to see if it is a legitimate company. If you cannot do this, then use Google Street View to make certain that the company at least has a headquarters with a warehouse.
- Serious garage door companies will provide several options for the job. They will give you a price for each option and allow you to choose which one is best for you.
How we can help:
Always be careful when choosing a garage door company. You can find out about our company by contacting us at 616-453-0164. We are one of the most reputable companies in the area, but you don’t have to take our word for it. Visit our address or look at reviews from our past customers. Once you see that we are a quality company, you can contact us for a detailed written quotation, which we can provide via email.
In the meantime, if you make a decision to upgrade your garage door, you can see what it will look like by using our online Design Centre. You can also browse our extensive image gallery.
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