Gutter Guard King Tas Blog

Seven HIGHLY Important Questions to Ask Before you choose a Gutter Protection company…

1. Is the product made / manufactured in Australia?

Unfortunately, there are a lot of imitation imports which do not pass Australian Fire Ratings or meet our high Australian Standards. Yes, you may receive some cheaper quotes and it may look enticing, but always investigate if there is a reason for such a low quote? Using a cheap imported product on your roof could mean less protection and possible problems which could be very difficult to have rectified. You may have issues claiming compensation for any defects in performance if the product is manufactured overseas. Make sure your chosen Gutter Protection Company uses and installs Australian made products that comply with Australian standards.

2. Do they use saddles to install the product? 

By not using saddles to secure the product to your (tin) roof during installation, you run the risk of warping and possible lifting leading to more debris catching and remaining on the roof rather than blowing off. We have seen some products on the market that do not use saddles to secure the mesh to the roof and use only screws and silicon. Over time this can lead to problems, such as deterioration of the silicon, which will cause the mesh to lift along with water penetration in the screws access point, due to eventual erosion around the hole and screw. By using a Colourbond powder coated saddle and screw to fasten the gutter mesh, you can rest assured for long lasting quality performance.

3. Ask to see their Public Liability Insurance Cover

Does the company or individual you are engaging with have comprehensive Public Liability Insurance? And if in doubt ask for an up to date copy of their policy. By not using an insured installer you risk not being covered for any damage to your property or even worse, having to battle a lawsuit for compensation in the event someone performing work on your property is severely injured.

4. Do they Guarantee their product and workmanship in writing?

Verbal guarantees may sound good on the day but are totally useless. If there is a factory defect or issues with the installation of your gutter guard system, you want to make sure you have a written warranty to fall back on. There are a lot of cowboys in the market, and once they’ve farmed an area, you’ll never hear or see from them again.

5. Do they clean your gutters before installation?  

Believe it or not there are some installers who don’t even bother to clean your gutters out before installing your new gutter guard system. Ask to see photo’s once the job is complete, so you can ensure your gutters have been cleaned and that you have received a quality installation. Don’t pay until you have seen these photo’s first. The worst thing for your gutters is to have gutter guard installed over uncleaned and clogged gutters.

6. Do they have a good reputation?

Is the gutter guard company you're engaging in have a sound reputation? Make sure you do your research before proceeding. Do they have reviews and feedback? Do they have branding and a strong online presence. Check out Google My Business and their Facebook page.

Are they trained and do they engage in safe working standards?

There are a lot of businesses and individuals in the market who take short cuts in safety standards. Believe us, we’ve seen it all. Working from roofs is a high-risk activity, and a fall from a roof can cause serious injury or worse. Usually if a quote comes in significantly cheaper, it’s because they are cutting costs on safety and employee training. At Gutter Guard King Tas we have invested thousands of dollars in implementing Safety Systems, ongoing safety training, policies, and procedures to help mitigate risks and our installers are all Working at Heights Safely certified. We do not take short cuts in safety and our number one goal is to do all we can to ensure our worker return home to their families at the end of the day. 

7. Do they provide you with a written quote and proposal?

Make sure you receive a detailed quote in writing outlining all aspects of the jobs and a breakdown of the costs. This way you can see what you are receiving. Some quotes may come in cheaper, but weren't detailed only for you to find out they missed something you were expecting to be done. We have provided a customer with a quote, which has included the supply and installation for all the gutters on the property, including perimeter, valleys and dormer's etc. Then a competitors quote has come in less, without the customer realising that they did not include the valley's or dormer gutters in their quote, because it wasn't detailed or outlined in the initial proposal. So, be sure to always ask what is included and for them to outline it in detail, so you're not left disappointed once the job has been completed, and then they charge you more to come out and do what you expected in the first place.

BONUS WARNING

Maintenance After Your Gutter Guard System is Fitted

If you're getting multiple quote from businesses for the supply and installation of a gutter guard system, take note to whether or not they inform you about the need for ongoing maintenance. It's true, having a Gutter Guard System installed will significantly reduce the maintenance requirements of  your gutters if you live in an area with surrounding trees and falling leaves. And it is without a doubt the number one product on the market to bird proof your home and stop birds from nesting in your roof space. But the reality is that all gutter guards require some form of maintenance. A good quality gutter guard may only require very minor maintenance such as a quick flush out with a hose or using a leaf blower annually to dislodge some sediment build up once a year or even less depending on the amount rainfall and the location and positioning of your property. We've found that homes in colder areas where the gutters receive less direct sunlight require annual maintenance, and home in warmer sunny suburbs like Tranmere require less if any maintenance at all. So, make sure you understand this, before proceeding with a quote. We've found most installers and businesses fail to disclose this important aspect, and promote the product as being maintenance free. If they do, then steer clear!

Beware! Cheaper is not always better...

We all know you get what you pay for but how can we tell the difference between good quality and an inferior product? As mentioned above, look online at the business’s reputation, check out their online presence and reviews, ask for customer references, speak to someone, and get all the questions you have, answered.

No doubt each business may promote a similar product to the next but not necessary the same quality product with the same warranties in place, or they may not provide the same level of service.

If you value regular communication and a high level of service, then you may expect to pay more and you may be happy to pay more to receive this level of service. Value is perceived differently by everyone. For someone they may be happy not having any form of communication, for other regular updates and consultation is very important.

At Gutter Guard King Tas, we are always aiming to leave everyone of customers feeling satisfied. And for us this means providing a high level of customer service and keeping customers up to date along with following up after the job.

For a Free Fast Quote contact the professionals at Gutter Guard King Tas today! Click HERE!