Up until a while ago, your garage door was working perfectly fine. And now it seems to have a mind of its own. Either it won’t open, or when it does, it’s beginning to make a weird, creaky noise. With prolonged and frequent use, it’s normal to encounter such problems. While there may be other signs as well, it’s apparent that you are dealing with a faulty door.

For a garage door to open and close effortlessly, all components of the system must function correctly. A garage door is a major investment, so this is not the time for a DIY project. You could end up making the situation worse or could even get hurt. Not only does a garage door affect the appearance of your home, but it also plays a significant role in its security. Therefore, it’s essential that a garage door works properly.

It’s unanimous- you need to call a garage door repair company. You may need to repair or replace the door depending upon the circumstances. But you should choose the right people for the job. Since modern doors need specialized tools and skills, you need to find well-trained technicians that can spot and repair the damaged parts of the door.

How do you go about finding a professional?

Here are some ways that you can easily find a good garage door repair company:

Get a recommendation

The best way to find a reputable company is to ask friends, family, neighbors, and colleagues. Someone who has had work done in the past can set you in the right direction. A referral – or warning- can facilitate your search for a trustworthy company. Aim at getting more than one opinion.

Read the reviews

A garage door repair company should have strong ratings with positive feedback and consistent reviews. To get a better idea of the company’s standing in the community, check multiple review sites to ensure that they maintain standards and deliver great service.

Look into the ratings

There are several online sites to investigate the ratings. But the best way is to look them up in the BBB (Better Business Bureau), the gold standard in the industry. The rating scale from an A+ to an F, providing reviews as well as complaints.

Check the credentials

There are various ratings and certifications that a company can receive. How do you know that the company is legit? The company that you select should be legally qualified to carry out their job. It should be registered with the correct agencies. More importantly, it should have trained employees that have the expertise to deal with a damaged or faulty garage door.

Visit the address

An established company will have a physical address listed online. Verify that it is correct. Be on the lookout for bogus companies that list phony addresses. Go to the actual location to see how the company operates.

Credible website

Though every business has a website nowadays, it’s essential that the quality of the site be maintained. It should be accurate and up-to-date, preferably with a ‘contact us’ and ‘services provided’ page. A poor website is an indication of a skeptical company. Running a Google search on the company’s name is a simple method to find positive or negative information.

Inquire about warranties

A reputable garage door repair company believes in providing services to attract new customers while also maintaining previous clients. They must develop a bond with the people they interact with; it’s not about a one-time money-making transaction. These companies are willing to offer warranties on repairs, products, or services. If something goes wrong after installation or repair, you are sure that the company will solve the problem.

Years of experience

Even if the company has a great website, are licensed, have numerous satisfied customers, you still need to know how long they’ve been in business. It’s harder to trust a new startup than one that has years of experience. Verify the years of experience that the company has been in the industry. You want to entrust the care of your garage door to the hands of knowledgeable professionals who are versed in a variety of situations.

Do your homework

You are most likely to be the target of an unethical repair company if you do not have prior information. Customers who are desperate for a quick fix, don’t get other bids or don’t know the real cost of garage door parts are most likely to get scammed.

Look out for red flags

Stay clear of companies that advertise excessively. Look closely at the ads for outrageous appeals. Beware of same-day services, phony-looking reviews or testimonials, and promises of discounts or low prices. A company that spends heavily on ad campaigns will most likely end up charging customers a higher rate to cover the additional expenses.

And a company that uses multiple names on advertisements, websites, and customer service phone lines may not be the right choice. Any inconsistency is an indication that someone or something isn’t right.

Remember to get multiple bids

It’s always smart to get multiple bids. That way you’ll have an idea of what the “going rate” is and whether or not you’re getting a good deal. Get several quotes over the phone before a technician comes to verify what the issue is and provides an actual figure.

At the end of the day, whichever company you decide to have your garage door repaired with, select one that makes you feel comfortable. It all comes down to a matter of whom you are willing to trust

Homeowners often find themselves in need of a qualified plumber at one point or another. Issues related to plumbing happen quite suddenly and lead to a major crisis. At times, a minor plumbing problem creates massive inconveniences and causes damage throughout your home. Some people with a little know-how of plumbing may be able to fix the minor plumbing problems that occasionally arise at home. However, the overwhelming majority want the skilled hands of a professional to deal with their plumbing problems.

Finding a local plumber in your area may sometimes become a daunting task, especially if your plumbing crisis is an emergency. In such a case, the problem needs to be taken care of immediately. Being aware of a qualified, local plumbing professional can provide peace of mind in such situations. Whether it is an emergency crisis, leaking pipes, or clogged drain, a professional plumber will get the job done. But how do you determine the right person among multiple plumbers who can perform the work for you? To help you find the most qualified plumbing professional in your area, we have compiled some ways that will help you make the right decision. It will not only make the process easier for you but also reduce your total repair costs.

1. Use your network:

Customers often recommend plumbers and other service providers to people they know when they have had a good experience. This makes recommendations from family and friends valuable for both the plumbers and yourself. Hence, reaching out to your network is a quick and reliable method for finding a qualified plumber in your area.

If your family, friends, and neighbors recommend a particular plumber or company several times, it means they have worked hard to earn that trust. Try to get at least three recommendations for a plumbing company, either from family and friends or from platforms.

1. Check online directories:

The online directories and Better Business Bureau (BBB) are good sources to find a listing of plumbing companies and plumbing contractors in your area. These places also give you an idea about the credibility of plumbing professionals. Ask building contractors and real estate agents for their recommendations about the plumbers that they have hired. Find out whether they were happy with the quality of the work, and if the task was completed in a cost-effective manner.

Check for a local directory of plumbing contractors on the web and examine the customer reviews and ratings. You can also get a feel for the quality of their work from their website. Review sites like Angie’s List and Yelp, can also assist you in comparing local plumbers, and then selecting the most qualified one for your task.

1. Google local plumbing professionals and companies:

Google is working on search solutions that will enable customers to find qualified home service providers. A simple search of Plumbers Near me will pop up a number of sites and pages linking to qualified plumbers in your area. The service is a part of Google’s AdWords Express, which allows service providers to pay Google to rank higher in the search engines. Customers can easily reach out to service providers via their websites and pages.

This is pretty useful for people who like to get information about local service professionals in a few clicks. By connecting people with the local service providers including plumbers and electricians, Google hopes to engage customers and prevent them from turning to platforms like Amazon.

1. HomeAdvisor:

HomeAdvisor helps millions of people to find and book professionals to perform their job. The tasks may range from lawn maintenance and plumbing to builders and carpentry. Providers on HomeAdvisor are thoroughly screened after which they receive verified pro reviews based on their services. Simply select a project category that matches your needs and answer a few questions. You will be provided with four pre-screened, local home improvement pros that match your needs.

1. Thumbtack:

Thumbtack online marketplace allows customers to find and compare professionals in their area. You only need to provide your location and the service you need. After answering a few questions, Thumbtack will share your info with professionalisms based in your area, who will then provide you with custom quotes. This will include cost estimates, business profile, and customer reviews which will make it easy for you to pick the most qualified among them.

1. Local hardware store:

An easy way to find a qualified plumber near you is by heading to your local hardware store. Because there is no better place to visit than a hardware store that specializes in home repairs. There you can ask for recommendations from the store’s employees, and you may even find plumbers in the hardware store. As a specialized place for home repairs, chances are that the local hardware store will keep business cards and contact information for plumbers and other contractors in the area.

1. Plumber trade associations:

You do not need to be an expert to find a specialist plumber for your work. Look out for plumbers who are members of trade associations. Membership of trade associations represents a mark of professionalism. They encourage high technical standards and better customer service. Some reputable associations include the Chartered Institute of Plumbing & Heating Engineering (CIPHE) and the Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors (APHC). Plumbers who are members of these associations make them appear credible and trustworthy.

Conclusion:

If you need a plumber on an urgent basis, call a plumber and explain the problem in as much detail as possible. If your job is not immediate, you need to spend a little longer looking for the right plumber. Call at least three plumbing companies to get custom quotes; compare them and choose the one which is cost effective and seems most qualified for the job.

When you move into a retirement community, chances are you will be entertaining guests at some point. Family and friends will want to come and visit, grandkids can stay, and you may need a carer to sleep in the guest room.

Safety is a very important issue; not just for you but also your guests. If you don’t have adequate safety measures in place, someone could have an accident, or worse still, die. Here are some simple tips to help you ensure your property is safe and welcoming for guests.

Fire Safety

Top of the list is fire safety. All properties need fire safety measures, but senior retirement homes are more vulnerable than most because seniors need extra time to vacate the building in the event of a fire. Make sure you have smoke alarms fitted on each level. If they are battery operated, check and replace the batteries at regular intervals. Sprinkler systems will prevent a fire from taking hold and spreading, giving you more time to escape. Learn more about dry pipe sprinkler systems by reading this blog post written by sprinkler engineers in Chicago.

Don’t forget to add smaller fire safety measures. All kitchens need a fire blanket. It will help you if a pan catches on fire. Fire extinguishers are also handy, but remember that they need servicing annually.

If any of your guests happen to smoke, ask them to avoid smoking in the property. Smoking is a major cause of house fires in the US. Discarded cigarettes soon ignite flammable materials, and before you know it, the building is a raging inferno.

Remind guests to be very careful when cooking late at night. It’s easy to fall asleep and forget you left a pan on the stove. That’s how fires start.

Bathroom Safety

Bathrooms can be dangerous if you don’t have the right measures in place. Place a non-slip rubber mat in your bathtub, so guests don’t slip and fall. A support handle is useful if guests are infirm and struggle to get in and out of the shower or bathtub. Grab rails are easy to fix and can be purchased from any good DIY store.

Be mindful of rugs and trip hazards. Guests with mobility issues might trip over the edge of a rug. If in doubt, roll it up and put it away for a few days.

Child Safety

Do you have the grandkids coming to stay? You will need to be very careful. Put all medications well out of reach and cover power outlets so prying fingers can’t find a way in. If there are stairs in the property, fix a gate at the top and the bottom, to prevent babies and toddlers falling down and hurting themselves. Check locks on external doors, so younger children can’t wander off unnoticed. Keep pans and trailing power cords well out of reach of little ones. They are an accident waiting to happen.

It only takes a few minutes to check your home is safe your guests. Do a risk assessment and make any alterations before your guests arrive.