Every home has them and no one pays them a second thought until they become a problem.
We’re talking about gutters of course. They serve a purpose but aren’t glamorous in nature.
If taken care of properly, you’ll prevent problems from occurring in the first place.
If you value the way your home or business looks, you know that moldy leaves, collected rainwater, and similar issues aren’t part of the look you’re going for.
To prevent these issues from even cropping up, you need a reliable company that provides an accurate gutter cleaning service and gets everything done correctly the first time. But what qualities does the ideal company possess?
Read on to learn how to find the right service to hire.
Look for a Company with Longevity
When looking for a gutter service, look for one that has these two qualities:
- It has been in business for at least two years
- It has a physical location
When seeking out a reliable service, you want one that is established, trustworthy, and has a steady customer base (more on that later).
Finding an established company offers trustworthiness. It’s easy to get reviews from past customers and find out their opinions.
If there are any problems, you’ll know where to go. Most gutter cleaning services operate out of a van, so physical presence is a key point.
Many businesses crop up quickly that are actually scam companies. A little investigative research goes a long way in preventing this problem.
Come Armed with Specific Questions
Before you decide to officially hire a gutter service, pose questions and find out if they know their stuff. Be aware of companies that use questionable practices.
Things to look out for include:
- Using gutter robots
- How long it takes for them to finish a job
- If gutter grabbers are part of their cleaning process
You don’t need to know everything about cleaning gutters, but the basics are helpful. Specifically, be aware of issues that arise from techniques not endorsed by experts, such as gutter extenders.
Research shows that these techniques aren’t useful when it comes to long-term results. Many people use these same do-it-yourself techniques, only to find they need a service that thoroughly cleans the gutters.
Find out what the techniques are, and get an estimate of how long the job will take them. You don’t want to pay extra for something that finishes in two hours, only to have the job carry on for five.
Check for Insurance
Every business needs insurance. To understand from the owner’s perspective, consider the problems that happen without it.
Companies with no insurance:
- Get sued, and sometimes forced to go out of business
- Lack credibility
- Cannot protect work when affected by Acts of God
When considering a gutter cleaning service, don’t focus on the thought of fees alone. Realize that although a quality business charges more, it keeps you protected.
Avoid any business that doesn’t want to make a simple investment in insurance.
Warranties and Guarantees to Feel Good About
Warranties and guarantees protect customers in the event of an unexpected problem. When considering a gutter cleaning cost, most jobs get covered for at least 60 days.
Companies that don’t offer this promise usually have issues getting the job done correctly. Others don’t want to re-do work, at what would be a loss to them.
Since you’re the customer, it’s important that your gutters are done correctly the first time. It shouldn’t come to the point that you need to hire another contractor to clean up messes left by the first one.
Check Outside Reviews on Your Gutter Cleaning Service
You’ve talked to a company, and everything seems great. They have insurance, offer a warranty, and have been around for at least two years. That’s good enough, right?
Not always. Check and see how other customers rate the company after using their services. This includes experiences such as:
- Being on time
- Polite
- Professional
- Alerting the customers to any potential problems that can arise
Online reviews make or break a company.
Check through reviews, and see if previous customers mention having issues with service that does not deliver, or feel the contractor was rude or unhelpful. A gutter cleaning service depends on what customers think.
If your investigative skills show the company doesn’t care about what customers think, it’s time to move on. Find a company that cares about providing the level of service that’s expected.
Customer Service Is More Important Than You Think
Customer service is the most important part of any job. From the moment you call the office of the gutter cleaning service, to the last goodbye, the image you have of the company is affected by how they treat you in the process.
If you sense you’re being treated in a manner that is rude, condescending, or otherwise getting the runaround, look for another company.
A company dedicated to customers will place importance on:
- Being friendly and professional; this starts when booking the appointment and ends with a follow-up to your service call
- Answering customer questions accurately and honestly
- Helping customers when there is a problem
- Looking for ways to improve the level of service
Start by shopping around, and see what type of feeling you get from the gutter cleaning service you’re interested in. If it’s anything less than you expect, continue looking until you find a company that cares about the people they serve.
Contact Us
Looking for a gutter cleaning service isn’t easy. Now that you know what qualities are important, you can easily screen a company.
Make sure they are worth your time before setting up an appointment. If they carry insurance, have good reviews and a stable business history, you’ll feel confident about their abilities.
Check out our blog and find assistance on other home improvement matters, such as installing privacy blinds.