Before you get it in your head that buying a new garage door is about picking the door and someone to install it, you should know there are a few things you should think about first.
For obvious reasons, you’re going to want to work with a garage door dealer that has a top‑notch reputation. You’ll also want to work with one that provides a warranty to back up the work that they do. But, how do you go about finding such a garage door dealer? Here’s what you should do:
Research the Dealer’s Reputation
Using popular online review sites, you should be able to get a great sense of the garage door dealer’s reputation. Take a look at the reviews and consider what other customers have had to say. Do they seem like they’re happy with the service they received? Did they find the prices to be fair? Once you’ve identified some candidates, pay them a visit. See what the sales associates are like, and judge whether they seem friendly and competent.
Determine the Dealer’s Level of Experience
As more years in the business means more experience, start your examination into a dealer’s experience by figuring out how long they’ve been open.
After that, you’ll want to look into their knowledge of local environmental conditions. Your garage doors are going to be standing up to the elements, so you want to make sure that the dealer has garage doors that will endure the elements. When you’re looking into this, pay attention to whether or not the dealer is accounting for your needs and budget.
Finally, you’ll want to look into the certifications that the dealer has. A dealer with experience will be certified for just about everything. For starters, though, you should see if they’re certified by the International Door Association – which they should be. In addition to this, find out whether or not they’re certified by the garage door manufacturers whose products they sell. A dealer that sells GARAGA garage doors should be a Garaga Expert, for example.
Judge Their Compliance with Regulations and Codes
If you select a dealer that doesn’t know how to follow local building codes, you could be slapped with a fine or worse. So make sure that the dealer you choose is fully up to speed with those codes. Also, make sure that they have all the necessary safety certifications. To find out if they do, just ask. It’s also a pretty good idea to look into those certifications yourself and what they entail.
Make Sure They’re Properly Covered
A garage door dealer that’s worth working with should have its business and its employees covered by insurance. To make sure that the garage door dealer you’re choosing has insurance, simply ask to see their Certificate of Insurance. If the dealer can’t produce one, or seems taken aback by your request, then that’s a clear sign that it’s time to select a different dealer. It’s as simple as that.
Look Into the Business’ Stability
When you purchase new garage doors, you want to make sure that the business that installs them is around to back up their warranty should you ever need them to. If they’re not, then you’re opening up to the expense of paying for garage door repairs yourself.
So, when you’ve narrowed down your choices, ask the dealer about their financial situation and outlook. You don’t need them to turn over their company financials, you just need to get a sense. Ask how business has been going and how they expect it go in the future. Combine this with what you already know, and you should have a sense of the dealer’s stability.
That’s It, You’re Ready to Buy a New Garage Door
Examining these things is very important when buying a new garage door from a dealer. Doing so will save you time and money. So, be sure to follow our advice, and good luck on your quest for a new garage door!
For all your garage door needs contact us now. We serve Grand Rapids, Ottawa County and West Michigan areas.
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