It’s early Monday morning and you’re heading out for work. You hit the button to open your garage door and nothing happens. You try it again to no avail. Your garage door needs repaired.
When you’re in a pinch, it’s easy to make an off the cuff decision that results in extra money from your pocket and a poorly done repair job. If you’ve ever been burned before, you’re probably wary when it comes to repairmen, but never fear! Here are seven fool-proof ways to identify a trustworthy garage door repairman.
1. Permanent Address
If a repairman has a permanent address and a building where he conducts his business, he’s probably got some skin in the game and is less likely to pull a fast one on you than someone who works right out of his vehicle. Back in the olden days, you’d have to get in your car and drive to said place of business to check things out; nowadays, a quick glance on Google Maps will usually do the trick.
2. Website & Business Name
A website can be a good indicator of a real business. Doing a quick Google search can help you find the repairman’s website. While you’re there, look around and see what other information you can find. Do they have pictures of their staff? How long have they been in business? Is there a contact page and company history information? All of this information adds to the credibility of your repairman.
Also check the company's name. Is it generic, such as "garage door service" or "garage door repairs"? If it is, there's a good chance the company is phony, so beware.
3. Consistent Logo
A well-established, trustworthy business will typically have a visual logo. That logo should be on their website, uniforms, paperwork, vehicles, etc. This is a clear identifier of professionalism—a quality you definitely want your repairman to have!
4. Company Phone Number
While landlines might be trending downward, it’s still best practice for a repairman or repair company to have a central phone line. If you call his or her business number and you get a sketchy, personal recording, the repairman may not be the one for you.
5. Third Party Reviews
You may have stumbled across a review page on the repairman’s website while doing your initial research, but the best way to find reliable reviews is through a third-party site like Angie’s List, Google Reviews, or Yelp. You’ll be able to see how people feel about the repairman or company without the positive spin internal review pages sometimes project.
6. Payment Method
If a repairman request that pay him in cash upfront, consider this a warning sign, and don't pay him. Cash does not leave a paper trail and is as good as gone once it leaves your hands. Also, never pay for repairs before they are done. The safest way to pay a repairman, especially if you have to pay them directly (rather than a company) is to use a check or credit card. Both of these payment methods will assist in tracking the money flow if you are in need of a refund.
7. Professional Transportation
Be very skeptical of a repairman who gets dropped off or doesn't have a branded, well maintained vehicle. If they are not driving a company vehicle, at the very least, their van or truck should be clean and well kempt.
These qualifications are not the end-all, be-all for spotting a reliable garage door repairman, but this list can be used as a basic checklist. A garage door repairman with all seven of these qualifications will likely be much more reliable than someone with only one or none.
When in doubt, choose Doors by George for all of your garage door repair needs! With more than 25 years of experience in Cedar Rapids, our trained team is ready with the knowledge and reliability to get your job done right. We offer a multitude of services for both residential and commercial systems. Contact us today to request your free quote!
