Investing in a new or improved garage is a great way to add value to your home. The security of a garage door can also bring peace of mind to homeowners, knowing valuable possessions like vehicles or lawn equipment can be safely locked up while away. To protect your investment, here are some helpful tips to make sure your garage is secure for years to come.
Know who you’re buying from.
Untrustworthy businesses don’t want your business —- they want your money. Rather than earning and valuing your trust, a deceitful company will do whatever it takes to mask their true intentions. No industry is safe from unsavory participants.
- Research a company’s legal name. To piggyback off of a well-known company’s reputation, some businesses will choose names that sound similar to those of other businesses. This can cause confusion for both customers and owners alike, resulting in a transaction built on a false premise. Take some time to verify that the company you wish to do business with is registered under the same name. A quick Google search can spare you headaches and save you money.
- Find a physical address. Some businesses exist on paper and phone alone. Verify your service provider has an actual office so you know where to go in the event of an issue.
- Get a written estimate. Do your research and make sure you’re getting a fair rate for your services.
- Trust your service professional. Be able to verify the identity of the technician allowed into your home. Since 1969, Overhead Garage Door, Inc. has been trusted throughout Chicagoland as the premiere, trustworthy choice for all garage door needs. We pride ourselves in providing high-quality, customer focused service, and go out of our way to screen experienced employees through the use of background checks, drug tests, and providing picture IDs to ensure your comfort when inviting our professionals into your home.
Protect yourself.
Nearly 50% of all home break-ins are the result of an unsecured garage door. Whether the kids forget to shut the door or a power outage keeps your automatic opener from closing, make sure you’re covered on all fronts to prevent unwanted intruders from entering your garage. Security is only as strong as its users.
Lock your doors. Even with your garage door shut, keep the door to your house locked from the inside to prevent unauthorized entry from your garage. Always treat the doors from your garage as you would your front door.
- Hide your automatic door opener. If you keep your door opener in your car, place it in an inconspicuous spot like the glove compartment. Or, better yet, consider a keychain remote opener to keep access to your garage in your pocket. If you notice your automatic opener has gone missing, contact a garage door professional as soon as possible to prevent any unauthorized access.
- Lock your vehicle doors. If you’re keeping a vehicle in your garage, it’s a good idea to keep it locked even if your garage door is closed. In case you keep additional vehicles in your driveway or nearby, be sure to lock those doors, too. Burglars know to look for automatic door openers in unlocked cars, and thieves willing enough to break into a vehicle are just as willing to try to get into your home.
- Don’t leave your garage door open! This may seem obvious, but everyone forgets from time to time. New garage door solutions, like mobile software My Door Opener, NiOGarage, and GoGo Gate, can help automate your home and even keep your garage door open or closed through the tap of an app!
Maintain. After you’ve made the choice to have work done on your garage, your work is not done. A lack of maintenance, such as allowing a garage door to rust over time, can create weak spots that could allow a burglar potential access. Keep your garage door looking as nice as your home.