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11 Questions for Finding a Professional Garage Door Service

December 23, 2015Garage Door Installationadmin

It’s no secret there are companies and individuals out there who like to take full advantage of consumers—and especially those of us who are more vulnerable to such deception.

Unfortunately, the same is true within the garage door services profession, albeit to a lesser degree than some industries. Instead of brushing the matter under the carpet, it is important to highlight the fact, and let people know how they can best avoid this sort of thing happening to them and those close to them.

Locating professional garage door services can be a simple task, that is as long as you are equipped with the right questions and aware of certain indications which point to when a company is playing within the rules.

We are going to share with you 11 questions that everyone should ask when vetting a garage door service provider, in order to assess their legitimacy, credentials, and overall suitability for the job in question.

Do you have a brick and mortar office in the community?
Do you have reviews or feedback from satisfied customers?
Are you registered with Better Business Bureau, Angie’s List, or the Chamber of Commerce?
How long has the company been in business?
Do you include a warranty with new installations? (Every part we sell or install here at Universal Garage Services comes with a warranty)
Does the company carry required insurance?
Are you a member of the International Door Association? (Firms which are, adhere to a strict code of business practices)
Are you accredited by the Institute of Door Dealer Education, and do you use IDEA certified door technicians?
Do you install products or repair them in compliance with local, state, and federal codes?
When requiring repair or service work, ask: Will you provide a firm estimate prior to authorizing the work?
Are your company vehicles professionally signed? If required, do they include a contractor license number?

When researching garage door services it pays off hugely to take due diligence in the research phase. With just a little bit of know how, you can quickly separate the professionals from the imposters, and have the peace of mind that your job will be executed seamlessly.

Looking for a bit more information? Check out the short video by The International Door Association ‘What to Look for When Selecting a Door Dealer’.

If you are looking for a new door or a repair to an existing door, you can give us a call on 1 (801) 406-9160 to book your same day appointment, or why not pay us a visit at our showroom in Midvale, Utah.

The principal areas we serve are Salt Lake City, West and South Jordan, Sandy, Draper, Cottonwood Heights, Herriman, West Valley City and Riverton. However, if your area is not listed please don’t hesitate to call us!

Universal Garage Door Repair
2150 South 1300 East, Suite 500
Salt Lake City, UT 84106
(801) 784-4550

One of The Few Garage Door Repair Services with Screened and Tested Technicians

November 16, 2015Commercial Garage Doors, Commercial Overhead Doors, Garage Door Installationadmin

When having any work done on your house, it should be an entitlement to have peace of mind in the abilities and professionalism of the contractors. Companies who fail to employ employee screening and testing can as a result easily loose the trust of their customers.

Here at Universal Garage Door Repair, safety and trust are at the top of our list of priorities, and thus we employ rigorous processes which ensure all our garage door technicians are more than ready for the job.

One thing that separates us from the majority of other garage door services here in Salt Lake City, is the fact that we are bonded. Before hiring a technician to work on your home, this is one of the main things you should check.

For those who are a little unsure, here’s a definition which explains exactly what being ‘bonded’ means:

Bonded: A guarantee of performance required, either by law or consumer demand, for many businesses, most typically general contractors, temporary personnel agencies, janitorial companies and businesses with government contracts.

Along with being bonded, we also have a contractors licence, a random background check and drug-test, and a stringent screening and testing process which all our technicians must pass.

Our criteria includes checking areas such as licensing, criminal records, and sex offender lists. Here’s a few more details to explain how we do it:

We ensure the technician carries the required state-level licensing to perform work in their trade and service area.
We perform a criminal search for relevant criminal activity in the state in which the technician is located.
We check the official sex offender website in the state in which the technician is located to confirm that there is not a match.

Ultimately it is up to you to choose the right professional for your project. To help in this process, below we have compiled a brief checklist of things you should check before employing a professional to work on your home:

Ask whether the professional is insured.
Ask for customer references.
Be wary of bids that are substantially higher or lower than the competition.
Put it in writing. Get a contract stating exactly what is included in the scope of work for your project.
Never pay for an entire project upfront.
Keep records of everything!

If you are looking for a new door or a repair to an existing door, you can give us a call on 1 (801) 784-4550 to book your same day appointment, or why not pay us a visit at our showroom in Midvale, Utah.

Universal Garage Door Repair
2150 South 1300 East, Suite 500
Salt Lake City, UT 84106
(801) 784-4550

How Yearly Garage Door Maintenance Will Save You Money

October 1, 2015Commercial Garage Doorsadmin

As the economy continues to recover, Americans look for small everyday ways to save money. Most of the time, the garage door is the last thing on anyone’s priority list. Yet the garage holds some of our must valuable possessions – vehicles, tools, exercise equipment, and so forth. The door is crucial to protecting these. Today, we’ll highlight how to maintain your garage and door without breaking the bank.

Enroll in a Local Tune-Up Program

Most heavy-duty garage door repairs are best left to professionals. To avoid needing these repairs in the first place, talk to your local mechanic or auto shop about enrolling in a local tune-up program. These programs send highly trained technicians from reputable repair services to periodically check your garage door. They will alert you to problems such as overstressed springs, frayed cables, or shorts in your garage door opener’s electricity. Some of these programs may offer discounts or payment plans.

The garage door should also be lubricated at least once a year to keep it moving smoothly. Most hardware stores sell lubricants for hinges, cables, pulleys, and tracks. However, you can find a local tune-up program that includes door lubrication in its services. Comprehensive solutions like this are a cost-effective way to stay on top of your garage door maintenance.

Keep the Door Clean

Regularly inspect your garage door and its cables or springs for dirt, debris, or rust. These can cause problems that will lead to expensive repairs later. Clean your garage door often, especially during the transitions from winter to spring and fall to winter. Make sure you have at least five gallons of warm water, a mild laundry detergent, and a broom for removing cobwebs and debris. If it’s your first time, use step-by-step instructions.

Being proactive is the best way to keep your garage door operating smoothly. In addition to regular cleanings and tune-ups, visually inspect the system from time to time. Pinpoint potential problems and keep serious issues from ever developing with these tips.

Universal Garage Door Repair
2150 South 1300 East, Suite 500
Salt Lake City, UT 84106
(801) 784-4550

Newest Technology for Garage Door Openers

July 22, 2015Garage Door Installation, Garage Door Maintenanceadmin

Many people greeted the arrival of 2015 with fond memories of Back to the Future. We don’t have hoverboards and automatically drying clothes yet, but we do have technology that makes some of our simplest everyday tasks much easier. One example lies in garage door technology. Today, we’ll highlight some of the most recent developments in the garage door industry.

New Transmitters

In the past, garage doors had to be opened manually, a heavy and time-consuming task. The earliest garage door openers were often single-button handheld devices that weren’t always effective. Today, homeowners can easily open their garage doors with the press of a button. Liftmaster has recently perfected a transmitter that can open two doors at once even if one is several decades old. This helps increase your doors’ longevity and will save you money on track, cable, and spring repairs.

Safer Doors, Safer Homes

The area around the garage door used to be one of the most unsafe locations in the home. Doors could close unexpectedly or stick, leaving children and adults injured or trapped inside. It was also fairly easy for intruders to access homes through the garage. Today’s garage door openers come with features like electronic eyes that respond with infrared light when someone crosses a sensor as the door is closing. The light sends a signal for the door to reverse, keeping you safe.

Many garage doors come with timers for opening and closing that you can set while you’re away, making your home more secure. There are also “smart” garage door systems you can connect to a mobile device and monitor on-the-go. Internet apps like these make garage door management as convenient as possible.

Greater Compatibility

Despite our increasingly technological world, some of us remain traditional, and that’s okay. Garage door openers come at all levels of technology, including levels compatible with the simpler versions used in the 1970s and 1980s. The 375UT controller is one of the most popular compatible options. Dip switch technology allows users to program the remote so it’s as complicated or simple as they prefer.

Universal Garage Door Repair
2150 South 1300 East, Suite 500
Salt Lake City, UT 84106
(801) 784-4550

Why You Should Hire a Professional to Do Garage Door Work

May 26, 2015Garage Door RepairGarage Door Repairadmin

Americans are largely independent people and many feel the need to prove their independence by completing do-it-yourself projects. Some people are especially vulnerable to this when it comes to household projects such as servicing a garage door. In reality, garage door repair is dangerous and should be left to professionals for three great reasons.

Heavy Door Sections

Garage door repair is first and foremost a heavy job. Many of today’s garages have large, sectioned steel doors. These allow you to open one or two areas of your garage at a time. Sectioned steel doors are also better at protecting your car and the other possessions stored in your garage from weather, insects, and intruders.

The downside is that moving these doors causes hundreds of injuries to technicians and do-it-yourself repairers every year. Trying to move a stainless steel door can strain your back, neck, knees, or legs, exacerbating any existing joint pain. You could potentially break a bone, or sever a digit because of fast-moving steel door tracks.

Deadly Tension and Torsion Repair

If your garage door struggles to open and close, is creaking or squeaking, or has rusty springs, call a professional right away. Garage doors experience plenty of tension. Worn-out pulleys and old cables can make spring repair more dangerous. Cables can become twisted in the door or track and pulleys can give way, causing the door to crash downward. Resist the temptation to place a new door on an old track or use old springs on a new door, as this increases tension.

Dangerous Electricity

If you use an electric garage door opener, you are feeding electricity through your door’s cables every time you use it. Triggers can be tripped accidentally during repairs, leading to electrical injuries or electrocution. A professional can make sure this doesn’t happen.

Regardless of how many garage door repair YouTube videos you’ve watched, hiring a professional is the only way to make sure your repair is done safely.

Universal Garage Door Repair
2150 South 1300 East, Suite 500
Salt Lake City, UT 84106
(801) 784-4550