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How to Choose a Garage Door Repair Company in Bakersfield, CA

Your garage door won’t go up, and your car is stuck in the garage. You suspect an issue with the spring, but you aren’t quite sure. 

Who do you call? 

A quick online search will probably turn up a wide selection of companies in your area who claim to do garage door repair. But when it comes to your home, you don’t want to trust just anyone to make repairs. 

Choosing a garage door repair company you can trust is important. Before you pick up the phone to schedule a service, it’s a good idea to do your homework. Knowing who you’re calling may save you a lot of time and money later on. 

8 Tips for Choosing the Best Garage Door Repair Company Near You

When you need to call a professional garage door repair company, you need to find an experienced, trustworthy company quickly. But you probably don’t have a company on speed dial. So how do you avoid selecting a questionable company and make sure you call a reputable garage door company? 

1. Know What You’re Looking For

The first step to choosing a garage door repair company is to figure out what you need. You can do this by looking — is there a visible problem? — and listening — is there a distinct noise occurring? You don’t have to know every detail of the problem, but having an idea of the problem and its symptoms can help a company determine who to send and what kind of repairs you might need in advance. 

2. Check Out Online Reviews

According to The New York Times, 82 percent of Americans look to online reviews when determining whether to purchase goods or services. Online reviews can tell you a lot about a business, but they don’t always tell the whole story. When you look at a company’s online review, don’t just look at the first review or the more negative ones. First, look at their overall rating. For example, on Google, reviewers are asked to rate their opinion of a business using one to five stars. The more stars a company has, the more positive their reviews.

But don’t stop there. As you scan the reviews, start with the ones in the “middle” — for example, the ones who give a three-star rating on Google. Why? Someone who has extreme opinions — either positive or negative — is more likely to show some bias than someone whose opinion falls somewhere in the middle. 

You can also look at the people who wrote the reviews. Google, for example, has a feature that will show you other reviews a person wrote. If there isn’t much under their name or their review is incredibly thorough, there’s a good chance that they’ve been paid to offer positive opinions.

Ultimately, The New York Times also reported that only 1.5 percent of consumers take the time to write a review about their experiences. In other words, online reviews only tell part of the story. That’s why it’s also important to …

3. Ask a Friend

The “phone a friend” option isn’t just a good idea for game shows. It’s good practice when you’re looking for someone to work on your garage door too. Ask around to friends, especially ones who’ve recently had work done on their garage doors and find out who they think the best garage door companies are. A friend can provide a lot more information than an online review. They can clue you in on a company’s pricing and professionalism and tell you whether they’d consider using them again.

4. Don’t Agree to Anything Until You Understand the Problem

When a technician comes out for an estimate, they should provide you with a detailed description of the problem, as well as the exact cost for repair — in writing. A professional should never do any work without your authorization, and they should always provide documentation to back up what they’re saying. This is especially important if they aren’t going to do the work while they’re there that day. Having the diagnosis and estimate in writing guarantees that the company can’t send a different person out to perform the repair and then charge you a different amount later on.  Be careful that they aren’t upselling you.  Some parts may still be good and may not need to be updated.  Some companies will convince you that you need to upgrade or replace the part when it’s obvious that the part looks in good condition.

5. Get Several Estimates

When you’re looking to have work done on your home, it’s a good idea to get two to three estimates and compare them before you select a company to do the work. Look at the price they’re quoting you and the scope of the work and then compare those with the reviews and recommendations you’ve received from other people. And remember — cheaper isn’t always better. If a company offers you a low price but has poor reviews, the headache you might experience working with them isn’t worth the money you’ll save. 

6. Verify the Basics

If you’re considering using a company you aren’t familiar with, do a little sleuthing. Find them on Google Street View to ensure that it’s a real business. View their website to see what they say about themselves and view other customer reviews. Be wary of any company that doesn’t have a website. We’re not saying their website should be award-worthy, but in this technological age, the lack of any web presence is a big red flag.  Do they have a company vehicle with decals, tech is uniformed with name tag.  Does their logo or name match their vehicle, uniforms, business cards, invoice etc…  You need a professional to ensure your garage door is properly repaired.  So call a professional.

7. Trust Your Instincts

Even if all the other things check out, trust your instincts. If you call and talk to someone at a company, and they’re rude, or you get a bad feeling, don’t use them. As a consumer, you have the right to pick who you want to work on your home. Never feel bad turning someone down or opting to go with another company.

8. Consider Availability

When you call, does someone promptly answer the phone? Are messages returned in a timely fashion? Does the technician who comes for the estimate seem to be rushed? A good company values their customers above all else. If a company doesn’t make themselves available to explain the problem and answer your questions, then it’s a good idea to look for another company to work with. 

The same goes for their ability to schedule you quickly. If your garage door won’t open and your car is stuck inside, that’s something you need to deal with quickly so that you don’t miss work or other important commitments. If your garage is stuck in the open position, it can compromise the safety of your home. A good garage door repair company should recognize the urgency of your needs and be willing to schedule service quickly. Any company that wants you to wait days for service isn’t a good choice.

Questions to Ask When Choosing a Garage Door Repair Company

 Once you’ve obtained the names of a few local garage door repair companies, it’s time to ask a few questions. 

1. Are They Licensed? 

Licensure ensures that the company in question is legally able to carry out the work they claim to do. While it’s not a guarantee that they’ll provide quality work, it does prove that they are accountable to certain state and industry organizations that establish rules and guidelines in their industry. You can find this information on their website or ask them to provide you with information about licensure. Then, go to the licensing bodies and confirm that their credentials are current and there are no pending complaints or issues.

2. How Long Have They Been in Business? 

A company’s years in business say a lot about their quality of work. If they’ve been in business for decades, it’s highly likely that they provide good service at appropriate prices. It may also indicate that they’re ethical and that others in your community trust them to provide great service.

On the other hand, if a company hasn’t been in business very long, this is a good indication that they may have less experience. It can be tempting to go with a newer company, especially if they quote you a really good price, but when it comes to garage door repair, it’s better to choose a company that has the years of experience to back up their claims. 

3. Are There Hidden Fees? 

When you call a company to inquire about garage door repair, ask them upfront about the fees associated with estimates and the repair itself. Some companies charge a minimum fee for service calls, as well as other fees for estimates, travel, labor, parts and more. Always ask for an itemized estimate before you agree to any work. A company that is elusive about their fees or charges high fees for these items may not be the best fit for you. 

4. Is There a Catch? 

Say you heard a radio ad for a repair company offering an enticing promotion. When you call, ask for specific details about the promotion to make sure you qualify for it. You also want to make sure that there aren’t hidden fees or other services that you’re required to pay for to get the advertised offer. Sadly, some companies do advertise misleading specials, so it’s important to be aware of what they’re really offering before you get stuck with a bill for something you didn’t need.

Benefits of Hiring a Professional Garage Door Repair Company

The internet is rife with DIY videos and tutorials recommending that you forego a professional garage door repair company and take care of things yourself. But resist the urge to DIY your garage door, and let the professionals get everything back in working order! 

Why? Two of the main reasons are:

 

1. Safety

 

This is the #1 reason to let the professionals handle your garage door repair. Your garage door is incredibly large and heavy. It’s possibly the largest movable object in your entire home. During repairs, there is always the potential for it to become mobile and crash down. If you aren’t experienced in garage door repair, the odds of this happening increase, and you put yourself — and anyone helping you — at risk of being seriously injured. Professional garage door repair technicians do this all day every day. They have the knowledge and experience to prevent this from happening, keeping everyone safe. 

2. Efficiency

Safety alone should be enough to convince you of the benefits of choosing professional garage door repair services. But there’s even more to it than that. Because professional garage door technicians repair doors for a living, they can quickly identify problems and their solutions. What could take you an entire weekend to resolve will likely only take these professionals a couple of hours. They will also use high-quality parts and guarantee that the work done will last for a long time.

Choose King Door as Your Garage Door Repair Company in Bakersfield

When it comes to choosing a garage door repair company in Bakersfield, CA, look no further than King Door. With more than 30 years of experience, we’re proud to offer same-day and 24-hour emergency repair service on garage doors and openers. Our goal is to provide prompt, high-quality service that will have your garage door back in action in no time! 

If you’re in the market for a residential or commercial garage door or opener, we’ve got that covered too. We proudly sell a variety of Clopay doors and Liftmaster openers that will fit any need and any budget. 

For service, call us at (661) 397-2744 or visit us online

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