Avoiding Garage Door Repair & Replacement Scams
In the garage door industry, scams have been prevalent for decades; this has not changed with the introduction of new technologies like the internet and Google. Scams have gotten more clever and have used technology to their advantage. Fortunately, the same technology can help us avoid scams and give you the consumer peace of mind when hiring professional and honest service providers.
Before you hire someone, here are a few tips on how to avoid scams:
- Compare costs – If you think a deal is too good to be true, it typically is.
- Avoid advertisements found in small flyers or Facebook marketplace that offer new garage doors at half the cost compared with the rest of the industry.
- Most scams will lowball the estimate and then add on excessive labour costs and other extra charges later. Some may even charge fees upfront before the work has commenced.
- Verify Company Information – Look for local reputable companies within your area with good, authentic reviews, and consistent information (company names, phone numbers, physical addresses) across all websites. Ensure the company also has insurance for its technicians.
- Don’t fall for pressure tactics – Always take the time to ensure that the work required is covered within the price given, or is explained before any further work is done.
- 24/7 Service – Be sceptical of companies that offer 24/7 service, as many reputable companies have set business hours and scammers offer these hours to charge inflated emergency service charges
- Do Your Own Research – Research the company, see if they have a physical location where you can actually go into the business. Lots of scams will have addresses listed, but do not lead to the businesses associated with them.
- Get Everything in Writing – Always make sure that the scope of work agreed upon is in writing. Any reputable garage door company will provide you with a professionally written quote for replacement or repair.
- Use Safe Payment Methods – Using a credit card in the event of you being scammed can save you a lot of money, as it can be disputed with the credit card company as fraud.
- Know Your Technician – Always ask for the name of the technician coming out to see you. Many scams can impersonate other reputable companies and act as honest and trusting professionals to get into your home.
- Branding – A good indicator of a scam is if the technician shows up with an unidentified vehicle and no company branding to show they work for said company.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if a quote is a good deal or a scam?
A reputable garage door company will stand behind their products and put lots of detail, including the Make and Model of the doors they sell, and offer a good warranty through the manufacturer for their product. Scams tend to be ambiguous and have as few details in their quotes as possible.
How can I safeguard myself from scams?
Make sure to do your due diligence and get a few different itemized quotes from reputable suppliers in your local area.
What do I do if the company only accepts cash?
Any reputable company will offer alternative payment methods other than strictly cash.
Are those low-cost $29 service calls too good to be true?
Be cautious of advertising with low service call fees, as that is likely just the cost to show up on site. Very often, that $29 service call will end up costing hundreds, if not thousands, in unnecessary service/material/labour costs after assessment.
Do I have to immediately have the door fixed if it is deemed unsafe?
There is no law or reason to immediately have service done at your door, even if it is unsafe. If a technician comes to your home, they should notify you if the door is unsafe and in no condition to be used, but there is no obligation to pay them to fix the door immediately.
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