It’s unwise to pay too much, but it may be even worse to pay too little!
Those are wise words, and you have probably heard them said at least once. They are true for any major purchase, and that includes when you are shopping for a brand new garage door system. A garage door system includes the door itself, its hardware, and an electric garage door opener.
There will always be plenty of companies that will offer to do the job for a very cheap price, and while it can be tempting you to do business with them, keep in mind – paying less mean getting less. Less experience. Less product quality. Less follow-up service.
A garage door with a quoted price significantly lower than other written or verbal quotes you’ve come across in your area is something you should be wary of. It is likely to have a short lifespan or may require more frequent service calls than should be expected. Another thing to consider is whether or not the parts are warrantied for any amount of time or if the service is guaranteed.
On the other hand, if you feel that a price is decidedly higher when compared to other prices seen in flyers your area or on the Internet, this is the time to get down to the real nuts and bolts of the product. Ask a lot of questions. Perhaps your the more expensive dealer is offering maintenance packages or guaranteeing the door for many years. Asking questions is the best way you can see if you’ve found a real garage door professional or some fly-by-night operator. Your goal is to get a quality product, from a reputable vendor that lasts a long time.
Research the Company Before Giving Them Your Business
Unfortunately, pop-up companies with less than stellar reputations do exist. They likely won’t have many years in the business, and their products probably won’t be guaranteed. As garage doors are a long-term purchase, it is important to know who you are doing business with.
Make sure that the garage door dealer you are about to do business with has the mandatory state or provincial licenses in order. If they are installing a new door, they should also be up to date on local building codes. In addition, check to make sure they are properly insured. If they belong to a garage door industry association, be assured that they must adhere to a code of ethics. Any reputable dealer will be happy to show you the certificates of insurance and business licenses.
Hot tip: Don’t be shy! Ask to visit or see photos of homes the dealer has completed. If you can find people who have used the dealer previously, ask questions about the service they received and if they would make the same decision again.
Customer Service Should Be Top‑Notch
A company specializing in the sale, installation, and service of garage doors is never reluctant to be honest and straightforward. They should be able to tell you what makes them great without boasting. As they say, never judge a book by its cover! Just because the website shows a fleet of shiny work trucks, the reality may be a tad different.
The best way to do an evaluation is to pay them a visit. If their warehouse and showroom are neat and organized, it is a good indication that this company is conscientious and thorough. As a customer, you can expect the same treatment.
The garage door dealer you choose must be able to react quickly to service calls. Do they have enough service vehicles to completely cover their advertised service area? Do they have technicians trained in the proper installation of the advertised garage doors? Do the service trucks have adequate replacement parts enabling them to react to unexpected situations? Answers to these questions should give you an accurate idea of the level of service you will receive.
Ask questions, verify the answers!
Keep these wise words in mind: The bitterness of poor quality lingers long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten.
Feel free to come and visit us at our showroom! Plus, if you need help to choose a style of garage door that suits you best, use our Design Centre. For even more inspiration, take a look at our image gallery.
We truly want to give you, our customer, enough time to properly decide on the best choice for your exact needs while respecting your budget. If you would like, we can provide you with a quotation by email.
Don’t hesitate to contact us. It would be our pleasure to answer any of your questions and to show you examples of our past work.
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