If you’ve ever been scammed by a sketchy repair person, you may be hesitant to hire someone again to do similar job. This is understandable; however, there are ways to see through the lies and scams and hire a professional, trustworthy garage door technician from the beginning. Go through this list of dos and don’ts, and be sure to check out our previous post as well: Warning Signs that a Garage Door Repairman Can’t Be Trusted. If you follow the tips listed in these articles, you should be able to hire an upstanding repair technician that does quality work for a fair price.
Often, the best way to find a trustworthy company to work with, no matter the industry, is to ask for recommendations from family and friends. What worked well for them will likely work for you, too! Also read online reviews on the company’s website, social media profiles, Angie’s List, and the Better Business Bureau of Iowa (which will ensure a company is licensed, bonded, and insured).
If the repair technician asks you to pay up front, consider it a red flag. You should always make payments out to the company after the job is done. If you’re asked to pay for a job before it's done or in cash, don’t do it.
Is the technician dressed in uniform? Professional apparel should reflect the company brand and name. What does the vehicle look like? Is it an old rusty pickup truck with no markings or identifiable logo? The truck should be well maintained, and the company logo should be in plain sight. It should also include contact information such as a website, phone number, and/or address.
When you call a garage door repair company to set up an appointment to get your garage door fixed, be mindful of your first impression. Was the person you spoke with friendly? Did they sound professional, and were they helpful? Did they answer the phone generically without using a legitimate company name? If they answer with "garage door repair" or something similar, they may be phony.
If the company you’re researching has multiple names, beware. Some companies use heavy advertising but don’t have a permanent address; they may work out of a truck and use a cell phone to make sales calls. Having multiple business names makes it more difficult for customers to track them down later on if they get scammed. Make sure you can look up the company’s address on Google Maps, and consider driving past the location to assure the building truly exists and doesn’t look shady.
If you’re looking for a trustworthy garage door company, consider WD Door. We install new garage doors for residential and commercial clients around Des Moines, Ankeny, Ames, and Altoona. We also perform maintenance inspections and repair service on doors and operators. Let us know how we can help you!