Garage door scams are turning up across the United States and Canada. Someone searches for a garage door company, calls a number from an ad that looks right, and ends up with a stranger in their garage, a bill far bigger than the quote, and nobody to call when the repair fails.
The International Door Association (IDA), the industry group we belong to, made a short video to help homeowners spot the warning signs. Here it is, along with how to check that the company you reached really is The Doorman Service Co.
How do garage door scammers work?
According to IDA, scammers:
- Copy the ads and branding of well-known local companies, then show up and do poor work.
- Use several names or a generic one, rarely list a real address, and often have no single company phone number.
- Win the job with a service call price that is too good to be true, then add charges once they are in your garage.
What are the most common garage door scams?
- The rebuild scam. You call about one problem and are told the whole system has to go: springs, rollers, cables and brackets, marked up and billed as "installation charges."
- The lifetime guarantee scam. Cheap parts go in that are bound to fail. The part is covered, but every return visit to fix it is billed as labor.
- The unidentified tech. The ad promises in-house technicians, then the job goes to a subcontractor with no license, no history and no way to reach them if something goes wrong.
How do I know I reached the real Doorman?
- One name, one address, one phone number. We are The Doorman Service Co., Inc., 404 Railroad Ave N, Kent, WA 98032, (253) 859-2318. If an ad or website shows our name with a different number, call (253) 859-2318 and ask.
- Check our license. Our Washington contractor license is DOORMS*205PC. You can look it up yourself on the Washington L&I verify site.
- A family business since 1978. We have been at the same Kent address serving the Puget Sound region for decades, and we are a Clopay Master Authorized Dealer.
- A quote that matches the problem. A real quote spells out the parts and labor for the job you called about. If you want a second look at any quote, call us and we'll go over it with you.
- Know who is coming. Our technicians arrive in red, fully marked Doorman trucks and wear Doorman company apparel. If the truck or the shirt doesn't say Doorman, call us before anyone touches your door.
What should I do if I think I've been scammed?
IDA recommends reporting a false or misleading ad to Google, and fraud to your local police department. And if a repair from someone else has left your door unsafe, don't use it. Call (253) 859-2318 or request service and we'll come take a look.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell if a garage door company is legitimate?
Check that the name, address and phone number match everywhere you see them, look up the contractor license with your state, and make sure the quote lists real parts and labor for your actual problem.
Is a very cheap service call a red flag?
It can be. The International Door Association warns that many scams start with a low service call fee and add charges later. Ask what is included before anyone starts work.
How do I know the technician at my door is from Doorman?
Doorman technicians arrive in red, fully marked Doorman trucks and wear Doorman company apparel. If you are unsure, call (253) 859-2318 before letting anyone start work.