Whether a rock dinged your car’s windshield while you were driving through a back road or someone smashed your vehicle’s windows in an attempted break-in, we know that dealing with auto glass repair can be a pain.
Still, it’s something you need to take seriously.
In addition to keeping you safe while out on the road, working with a glass repair company as soon as possible keeps the problem from getting worse.
But what should you look for in the best company offering auto glass repair in Seattle?
Keep on reading this post to find out.
Ensure They Have Experience with Your Make and Model
If you’re looking for the best windshield replacement company, the first thing you need to do is ensure you’re working with a company that has experience with your specific make and model.
After all, different car manufacturers have different glass shapes, thicknesses, and even specialized coatings. You don’t want to end up having the wrong type of glass installed in your car — and you especially don’t want to be someone’s learning curve.
A service with a wide inventory of glass and materials will be able to use the same adhesive and materials as your car’s manufacturer.
You should also be able to specify the year in which your vehicle was made, as well as the part of your car that’s damaged.
Whether your windshield, your side window, or the back glass of your car has cracked or shattered, the right auto glass repair Seattle company will be able to help you replace or repair it.
Ask About New Dealer Glass
In some cases, windshield repair companies will make their own glass and offer to use that to repair or replace your broken windshield or windows.
However, we suggest that you think twice before going this route.
In general, you’ll get a higher quality of glass when you go with dealer or OEM glass. This is because it has to adhere to standards of quality, hasn’t been repaired before, and won’t be at risk for distortion.
You should also make sure that the repair service you’re working with takes the time to inspect the glass once it arrives at their shop. After all, it’s incredibly easy for glass to crack or chip throughout the shipping process.
Ask how their inspection process works, and how they ensure that only high-quality glass is used in your repair job.
Focus on the Details
There are a few more details you need to ask about when you’re trying to find the best auto glass replacement company.
First, be certain that you ask about the kind of urethane that they plan to use to hold the glass in place. (Asking this also proves you’ve done your research, which means you’re much less likely to be jerked around.)
If high-quality urethane isn’t used, its weaker chemical makeup won’t allow it to do the job well. With cheap urethane, the windshield could become knocked lose, or expose you to water leakage or excessive noise from wind.
Also ask if they plan to remove your cowl panel during the repair and installation process. The cowl panel is the plastic cover that runs along the bottom of your glass.
Make sure that they remove it completely as opposed to just sliding it. This matters because, if the cowl panel is still in place, it will be tough for the urethane to make proper contact with the glass.
Shop Around for the Best Deal
We know that you want to be able to get the best possible deal when working with windshield repair companies.
One way to do that is to shop around and compare quotes from different repair businesses. Use a comparison shopping tool to help you to find the most reputable repair shops in your area that also have experience replacing glass on your make and model.
Read Past Customer Reviews
Once you think you’ve found the best auto glass repair in Seattle provider, it’s time to ask what their past customers think.
After all, over 90% of shoppers say that they read online reviews about a business or service before making their final decision.
Online testimonials are a wonderful place to start, but remember to think bigger. Once you’ve gotten a quote and asked the above questions to your potential glass repair company, you should also speak with references directly.
Ask these references about any billing surprises, how quickly the work was done, and if they were satisfied with the job.
Ask About a Warranty or Guarantee
A quality glass repair company should offer some sort of a guarantee on their work.
In some cases, you might even be able to get a lifetime guarantee. This means that if the work falls through during your car’s lifespan (not your whole lifespan, unfortunately) you may be able to get it fixed for free.
Make sure you read the warranty carefully, however, and look for potential gaps and traps.
Let Us Help You Find the Best Auto Glass Repair in Seattle
We hope that this post has helped you to better understand what you need to look for in order to find the best auto glass repair in Seattle.
Above all, remember that comparison shopping will ensure you get high-quality work for a competitive price. A database of auto glass repair specialists will also allow you to work with professionals who have the right experience, and who are in your area.
Ready to get started on fixing that crack or broken window?
Use our database to help you find the perfect professionals, and check out our blog for more repair advice.