How to Hire a Garage Door Company
Are you getting ready to purchase a new garage door? Choosing the right company to complete your project is an essential part of the process. Whether you need a new door, a replacement door, or a door repair, you should be cautious about who you trust. Every year, we hear stories of people being ripped off by fake companies or companies that don’t have the skills to install or repair a garage door. That’s why we’re sharing a few tips on how to hire a garage door company. Read on to learn more.
7 Tips for hiring the right garage door company
There are several tried and true tips for finding a trustworthy contractor; the first is to ask family and friends for referrals. While many people may stop there, we recommend investing a little more time into your search. Just because one person had a good experience does not mean everyone will. Your goal should be to set yourself up to work with the company that is most likely to do the job well and treat you fairly. Try a few of these recommendations to hire the right garage door company for your project.
1 – Ask family, friends, and neighbors
When someone has a good experience with a company, they are more likely to recommend them than someone who doesn’t. However, someone with a bad experience with a company is just as likely to let you know who you should avoid. Talk to your family, friends, and neighbors to help start a list of companies you should and shouldn’t contact.
2 – Expand your list with a local search online
If your network can’t recommend a company or you need additional options, run a search online. Decades ago, when you needed to find a service, you would use a directory like Yellow Pages; now, all you need to do is open a browser like Google, Bing, or Duck Duck Go and search for the type of service you need. Google will return local options on a map so that you can see which options are near you, and your search results will also include recommendations from online directories like Yelp.
3 – Compare company services
Before you hire a garage door company, you need to make sure they offer the service you need. You can compare the companies’ services listed on their Google profile, directory profiles, and their website. If the company you are considering does not have a website, call them or stop by their shop. Be wary of companies with no online presence or physical location.
4 – Check customer reviews and testimonials
Established companies with an online presence should have at least a few public reviews on Google or Yelp. Make sure you hire a garage door company with a good reputation. Take some time to look for public reviews online; you may find some on the Better Business Bureau website. Some companies will also have reviews and testimonials on their website; if they seem too good to be true, compare them to those listed on public websites.
5 – Get multiple bids
Once you have an idea of which companies will be able to help you give them a call to get a bid. Most companies provide free estimates. Contact a few companies so that you can compare estimates. During this process, you also want to pay attention to how the sales representative treats you, how thorough the contract is, and how transparent they are.
6 – Compare product and labor warranties
As you are doing your research, make sure to consider product and labor warranties. Do the products they offer have manufacturer warranties? What about the installation? Most contractors don’t provide installation warranties, but if you find one, ensure they provide the terms of the warranty in writing. As for the manufacturers’ warranty, ask the contractor if they have examples of product warranties and if they can provide one for you to review and compare.
7 – Look for company certifications and associations
Certifications and industry association memberships are further proof of a company’s quality of service. Often inclusion in industry associations indicates that the garage door company is in good standing among peers.
Look for membership in local associations as well as membership in the International Door Association (IDA). Members of the IDA make a commitment to responsible business practices and to follow the IDA Code of Business Conduct.
You can also look for recommendations from manufacturers. Is the company you are looking at included in the manufacturer’s network of dealers or distributors? Are they certified as trained in the manufacturer’s recommended installation methods? Each of these certifications signals the trustworthiness of a company.
Now you know how to hire a garage door company
Hiring a garage door company or any contractor is easy; the challenge is finding and hiring the right one. If you are looking for a reputable garage door company in Southern California, contact our team at Heritage Garage Door. We’re a one-stop shop for all your garage door needs — new doors, door replacement, or garage door parts. Check out our services or give us a call at (951) 880-1999.
