Buyers Beware: How to Avoid Garage Door Repair & Replacement Scams

Navigating the Garage Door Repair and Replacement Minefield:

Understanding the Garage Door Repair Industry

The garage door repair and replacement industry encompass a variety of services aimed at maintaining, fixing, and upgrading the essential components of garage doors. Unfortunately, there are companies out there preying on customers who have garage door repair emergencies or are overcharging for garage door and garage door opener services. This guide is intended to help you know what to look out for so you can avoid an unfortunate encounter with the wrong company.

When in Doubt, Call Our Team at Mount Vernon Overhead Door and We can Guide you in a Safe Direction!

1^st Red Flag: It All Needs Replaced!

Fundamental services include the repair of springs, cables, tracks, and openers, alongside the replacement of entire door units when necessary. Understanding these services allows homeowners to identify what they genuinely need when an issue arises. A properly installed garage door should last for over a decade. A malfunctioning garage door opener may only require a minor adjustment or a simple part replacement rather than a full system overhaul. Typically, when you call a local expert, they can answer some questions up front about what problems you are having instead of just scheduling a garage door repair without any knowledge of the issue.

2^nd Red Flag: It’s an Emergency!

Garage door scamming companies will take advantage of your “emergency” as an opportunity to inflate pricing, when it might not be an actual emergency.

Reputable service providers conduct thorough inspections to diagnose the problem accurately before offering solutions. High-quality repair services prioritize customer education, providing homeowners with information about potential issues and the associated repair costs upfront. This transparency enables customers to make informed decisions regarding their garage door systems, instead of deciding out of fear. However, there are less scrupulous companies that may take advantage of homeowners’ lack of knowledge, proposing unnecessary repairs or exorbitant fees. Recognizing these fraudulent practices is crucial for homeowners seeking reliable service.

1. They don’t have a properly marked vehicle or team members with proper attire. Most reputable and trustworthy companies have their company logos on their marked vehicles as well as team members wearing attire that has the company name on it.
2. They show up at the top of Google as a “sponsored” ad, but they don’t have a physical location marked on the website or a consistent local phone number.
3. They do not have a listing on Google Maps or Google reviews. If you scroll down to look for local services, and you don’t see they have a google map listing, they are most likely not a local company or have local service technicians.
4. Prices seem a little too good to be true or way too high. When in doubt, this is an opportunity for you to get a second or third opinion. Also revert to some of the first warning signs above.
5. Trust your gut. If something feels off, makes you uncomfortable, or just doesn’t sound right to you, stop the interaction. There are other professionals in your community you can find and speak with over the phone before you move forward.

In instances where homeowners are in a panic due to a malfunctioning garage door, take a breath. If you follow safe research practices on the internet for local business, you will surely connect with a local and knowledgeable professional that can help ease your worry over the first phone call.

Mount Vernon Overhead Door in Knox County, Ohio, has been serving our community since 1971. If you call us at 740-397-2536, one of our knowledgeable team members will be able to help you navigate through the next steps for garage door repair, and get you scheduled today!