Does your dog take extra time to move in and out of the house? Or are you planning to give more freedom to your furry friend for its daily movements? If so, a dog door is the best solution to invest in. These doors enable your pet to move around independently and also enable you to keep them inside the house as and when required.
The question to ponder here is–should you invest in a dog door? A dog door might not be the most important investment that a dog owner should make, but it is an easy feature that you can add to your house without much hassle. To your dog, it indicates extra independence. It gives them the freedom to move outside the house to take breaks and simply play and run around.
Also, it adds ease to your daily chores. You don’t always have to stop to allow your dog to move out and then inside the house. An extra benefit is that easy outdoor access enables your dog to concentrate its energy on exploring and playing outside.
Now that you know the way a door can benefit your dog, it’s essential to get it installed correctly. For this, you should connect with an installer and get the job done. Are you thinking about how to go about this?
In this article, we will discuss the ways you can search and find the dog door installer suitable for you.
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Online Search and Recommendations
One of the best ways to look for a dog door installer is to search online. You can key in your location and check out the dealers and installers who operate in your area. It’s always best to choose installers who are located close to your home so that you can connect with them for any help that you might require suddenly.
Maybe you want to change the shape of the dog door or the location urgently. For that, an installer located nearby will be of better help than one who is located at a distance. Alternatively, you can also ask for references from your friends and family members who have installed a dog door. That way, the contact you will get will come with some assurance, and it will provide you with a promise of service quality and authenticity.
Check the Reputation
Once you have zeroed down a few names of dog door installers through a Google search and taken recommendations from friends and relatives, you should check the brand’s reputation.
Ideally, you should start by reading the online customer reviews and testimonials, as that provides valuable data about the installer. Customers today freely appreciate and complain online, and that will enable you to know the reputation of the dog door installer.
You need to ensure that the dog door dealer has a business license and follows transparent business practices. It means that the price and duration that they specify on the website are what they commit to when you decide to join hands with them. It’s best to ask questions you have so that your doubts are cleared.
A few crucial questions to ask include:
- How long have they been in this business?
- Have they installed dog doors in your locality?
- What is the warranty period?
- Can you count on them for after-installation requests?
- How long will it take them to respond to a sudden query call?
- What are the maintenance tips?
Check the Door Types They Specialize In
Installing a dog door is never a ‘one-size-fits-all’ job. It’s because different pet owners have different dog breeds that require various kinds of doors. For instance, if you have a small dog, such as a pug, it’s best to install a small door because a big door might provide access to other stray animals that you don’t want. It is especially true if your garden, lawn, or house is located close to a wood.
Some of the popular dog door types include:
- Standard doors
- Sliding doors
- Wall doors
- Pre-installed doors
If the installer can provide you with any of the above based on your requirements, you can go ahead with them and get the door installed.
Hale Pet Door suggests that it’s best to opt for a professional installer or dealer instead of trying DIY techniques for the same. When you work with a professional installer, you can benefit from their years of experience and expertise in installing dog doors. It reduces the scope for mistakes. That aside, you also save time that you can use elsewhere and leave the installation to the dealer.
Find Out If They Offer the Best Dog Door Materials
Dog doors need to be made of specific materials so that they stand the test of time. You will notice that an entry and wall dog door will carry plastic or aluminum frames. These frames are long-lasting, sturdy, and can withstand the damage that occurs over time. On the other hand, the plastic doors are lightweight and might come at a cheaper price.
The sliding dog doors can be found in vinyl and aluminum frames. You can select the material that matches the sliding door. These doors also have a glass panel. The door flap is ideally made of vinyl and can be transparent to enable the dog to see all that is taking place outside.
Discuss with the dog door installer whether they can provide you with these materials. If not, you might want to search for some other installer who caters to your needs and budget.
Finally, it’s necessary to choose a dog door installer who has substantial experience in this field and is perceptive to your requirements. It’s necessary to keep an open mind when you speak with one or many so that you understand which installer ticks most of the boxes and can install the door that will be a value-for-money investment.