Residents in hurricane-prone areas such as Southeast Florida often become the targets of various home improvement scams. There is no shortage of garage door repair scam artists who seem to come out of the woodwork in the wake of a disaster and prey on vulnerable homeowners. Some of these unscrupulous vendors will knock on the doors of homes that have sustained significant damage and attempt to pressure the owner into paying for repairs upfront — only to vanish into thin air after receiving the check.
While the vast majority of garage door companies are legitimate enterprises, it is imperative to know how to differentiate between the “real” operations and the impostors who are out to steal your hard-earned money. The following tips can help you avoid garage door scams:
- Be wary of solicitors – Most professional garage door companies will not send representatives to knock on doors to solicit business. As a general rule, don’t hire anyone who approaches you about garage door repairs until you’ve had a chance to vet them thoroughly. Taking the time to do some “homework” — checking the company’s Better Business Bureau rating, reviewing its website, asking for referrals, checking Yelp reviews, etc. — can help you weed out the shady operations.
- Don’t pay upfront for repair services – Never pay for repair work before the job is done. A legitimate garage door service provider will put everything in writing and give you a chance to review the contract before work begins. Don’t sign on the dotted line until you’re completely satisfied with the terms of the agreement.
- Ask about warranties/guarantees – Most reputable garage door service providers will offer high-quality products backed by warranties and/or include a guarantee for their work. If you ask about these services and aren’t happy with the response you receive, it could be a sign that you’re talking to a garage door repair scam artist.
- Don’t respond to robocalls: One of the more inventive garage door repair scams is the use of robocalls that attempt to scare storm victims by telling them that their homeowner’s insurance policy will not cover the damage unless they send immediate payment. This is a telltale sign of a criminal attempting to perpetrate a fraud.
- Select a local company with roots in your community – An excellent way to avoid garage door scams by “fly by night” companies is by selecting a business with a physical location in the area. The best garage door operations have a showroom where you can browse their product inventory and meet their staff, which can give you a much better indication as to whether you want to hire them.
You Can Trust the Professionals at The Doorman for Your Garage Door Repair Needs in Southeast Florida
The Doorman is a reputable garage door product and service provider that has earned the trust of home and business owners throughout Southeast Florida. Contact us for more information about our repair services, and feel free to stop by our Boca Raton showroom for a closer look.
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