The Garage Door Installers Podcast

The Garage Door Installers Podcast

di James Williams
ImprenditoriaCome fare
#18 Garador: Innovation, Service and What's Next - A Conversation with Aaron Clarke
In this episode of the Garage Door Installers Podcast, I sit down with Aaron Clarke from Garador for an honest conversation about his career, the changing garage door industry, and what it takes to build lasting relationships with installers across the UK. Aaron started his career with Garador as an Area Sales Manager covering the South West before progressing through the business thanks to his customer-first approach and commitment to supporting installers. During our conversation, we discuss how the industry has evolved, the importance of face-to-face relationships, and what manufacturers can do to better support the companies fitting their products every day. Aaron has since gone on to become National Accounts Manager at Garador, reflecting the impact he has made within the business. Whether you're an installer, business owner or simply interested in the garage door trade, this episode is packed with practical insights, industry stories and plenty of behind-the-scenes discussion from one of the UK's best-known manufacturers. In this episode we cover: Aaron's journey through the garage door industry and joining Garador. Building strong relationships with installers and merchants. How the role of an Area Sales Manager has changed over the years. Supporting customers beyond simply selling products. Common challenges facing garage door installers today. New opportunities for businesses looking to grow. Product innovation and how customer feedback shapes development. Why communication between manufacturers and installers is more important than ever. Advice for anyone starting a career in garage doors. Key Takeaways ✔ Relationships still matter more than ever in the garage door industry. ✔ Good technical support and aftersales service are just as valuable as the product itself. ✔ Listening to installers is essential for manufacturers looking to improve. ✔ The industry continues to evolve with new products, automation and changing customer expectations. ✔ Success comes from consistency, trust and providing genuine value to customers. About Aaron Clarke Aaron Clarke has built his career with Garador, one of the UK's leading garage door manufacturers. Having spent years supporting installers and merchants throughout the South West, he established a reputation for outstanding customer service and practical product knowledge before progressing into a national role. His experience gives him a unique perspective on both the challenges and opportunities facing today's garage door industry. Connect with Garador Learn more about Garador's range of garage doors, operators and entrance doors via their official website. www.garador.co.uk Our Sponsors The Door Industry Journal The Door Industry Journal is the only trade magazine targeted towards the Garage Door Industry. To receive the magazine and weekly newsletter for no cost send your details to pr@cvgroup.co.uk to get added to the distribution list. ToolTrade For top branded products at competitive prices, speak to ToolTrade. A leading provider of tools, fixings and sealants. To open a trade account and have some customised pricing email your enquiry to info@tool-trade.co.uk
20 lug 2026
58:26
#17 Heatwave Problems – How Hot Weather Affects Your Garage Door
When temperatures rise, so do the number of garage door call-outs. But is your garage door actually broken, or is the summer heat simply changing how it operates? In this episode of the Garage Door Installers Podcast, James Williams explains how hot weather affects roller, sectional and timber garage doors, why expansion is completely normal, and the warning signs you should never ignore. Whether you're a homeowner looking to understand your garage door or an installer wanting to educate customers, this episode is packed with practical advice to help keep garage doors operating smoothly throughout the summer. In this episode: Why garage doors behave differently during hot weather How heat affects roller, sectional and timber garage doors Why garage doors become noisier in summer Can high temperatures affect electric garage door motors? Common mistakes homeowners make during a heatwave Simple summer maintenance tips What's normal... and when it's time to call an expert Installer's Question of the Week: What's the biggest mistake you've ever seen a homeowner make with a garage door? Send us your stories and we'll feature some of the best responses in a future episode. Subscribe to the Garage Door Installers Podcast for weekly episodes covering garage door installation, repairs, servicing, business insights and the latest developments from across the industry. Our Sponsors The Door Industry Journal The Door Industry Journal is the only trade magazine targeted towards the Garage Door Industry. To receive the magazine and weekly newsletter for no cost send your details to pr@cvgroup.co.uk to get added to the distribution list. ToolTrade For top branded products at competitive prices, speak to ToolTrade. A leading provider of tools, fixings and sealants. To open a trade account and have some customised pricing email your enquiry to info@tool-trade.co.uk
13 lug 2026
10:13
#16 15 Episodes in - A quick catch up and where we are going......
A slight change on this weeks episode. Our interview with Aaron wasn't quite ready to go so a slight rambling update of whats gone before and whats coming up. Apologies but I wanted to get the Aaron episode sorted properly so that will be coming up. Here we look back at the first 15 episodes and the unbelievable amount of support we have had already. Thank you so much to everyone that has been listening, hopefully there are some nuggets within all the information that can help everyone. If you are interested in coming onto the podcast then drop me a message or email at james@fastfitgaragedoors.com Our Sponsors The Door Industry Journal The Door Industry Journal is the only trade magazine targeted towards the Garage Door Industry. To receive the magazine and weekly newsletter for no cost send your details to pr@cvgroup.co.uk to get added to the distribution list. ToolTrade For top branded products at competitive prices, speak to ToolTrade. A leading provider of tools, fixings and sealants. To open a trade account and have some customised pricing email your enquiry to info@tool-trade.co.uk
6 lug 2026
5:39
#15 The Reality of Running a Family Garage Door Business - The Good, The Bad & The Difficult Conversations
Running a family garage door business comes with unique challenges, opportunities, and rewards. In this episode of the Garage Door Installers Podcast, we discuss the reality of building and growing a family business - from starting with one van and a set of tools, to creating a company that supports multiple generations. We talk about the challenges of mixing family and business, having difficult conversations, defining roles, managing growth, and the importance of building strong systems for the future. From the early days of Fast Fit Garage Doors to growing a team and preparing for the next stage of the business, this episode explores what it really takes to build a successful family-run garage door company. Whether you’re a garage door installer, running your own trade business, or thinking about bringing family into your company, this episode is packed with honest lessons and real experiences from inside the industry. In this episode we discuss: • How family garage door businesses often begin • The challenges of working with family members • Keeping business and home life separate • Having difficult conversations in a family business • Passing a business from one generation to the next • Building a strong team and company culture • Lessons learned from over 40 years in the garage door industry The Garage Door Installers Podcast is built for garage door professionals, installers, and business owners looking to learn, improve, and grow within the industry. Our Sponsors The Door Industry Journal The Door Industry Journal is the only trade magazine targeted towards the Garage Door Industry. To receive the magazine and weekly newsletter for no cost send your details to pr@cvgroup.co.uk to get added to the distribution list. ToolTrade For top branded products at competitive prices, speak to ToolTrade. A leading provider of tools, fixings and sealants. To open a trade account and have some customised pricing email your enquiry to info@tool-trade.co.uk
29 giu 2026
18:32
#14 The Sectional Door Revolution - How One Product Changed the Garage Door Industry
In this episode, we explore how the sectional garage door revolution transformed the UK garage door industry. For decades, the up and over garage door dominated residential properties across the UK. But as customer expectations evolved, demand grew for better insulation, improved security, smarter design, and doors that enhanced kerb appeal. Enter the sectional door, a product that changed everything. We break down where sectional doors came from, why they became so popular, and how they reshaped both customer expectations and the installer’s day-to-day job. Key Topics Covered The dominance of the up and over garage door in the UK How garage use has changed from storage space to living space The origins of sectional doors in American overhead door systems European innovation and manufacturers like Hörmann driving development Why sectional doors became the modern residential standard Space-saving vertical operation vs traditional canopy designs Improvements in insulation, sealing, and security How customer expectations around garage doors have changed The impact on installers, surveying, and installation complexity Whether sectional doors have replaced up & over doors The future of smart garage door technology Our Sponsors The Door Industry Journal The Door Industry Journal is the only trade magazine targeted towards the Garage Door Industry. To receive the magazine and weekly newsletter for no cost send your details to pr@cvgroup.co.uk to get added to the distribution list. ToolTrade For top branded products at competitive prices, speak to ToolTrade. A leading provider of tools, fixings and sealants. To open a trade account and have some customised pricing email your enquiry to info@tool-trade.co.uk
22 giu 2026
8:38
#13 We Went To The Three Counties Show
Episode: We Went To The Three Counties Show Episode Summary This week, we're stepping away from the office and taking you behind the scenes of one of the UK's biggest county shows. After spending three days exhibiting at the Three Counties Show, we returned with far more than just sore feet and empty coffee cups. We met thousands of homeowners, renovators, farmers, business owners and families, all with different interests, projects and questions. But amongst all those conversations, several key lessons emerged that every garage door installer can learn from. In this episode, we discuss the power of face-to-face marketing, why roller shutter garage doors continue to dominate homeowner interest, and why building relationships remains one of the most effective sales strategies in today's digital world. We also share insights into customer buying behaviour, discuss the importance of getting your business visible within your local community, and explain why some of the best opportunities come from simply showing up. Whether you regularly exhibit at events or have never considered it before, this episode is packed with practical takeaways for installers looking to grow their business and build stronger customer relationships. Key Takeaways - People still buy from people - Roller shutter garage doors remain one of the most requested products on the market - Local events can generate awareness long before customers are ready to buy - Face-to-face conversations accelerate trust and credibility - Strong supplier relationships create better customer experiences - Consistent visibility helps businesses stay top of mind - Marketing isn't always about immediate leads—sometimes it's about planting seeds for future sales Featured Partner A special thank you to Garador for their support throughout the Three Counties Show. Sharing exhibition space and having direct support from our Garador Account Manager, Jacob, helped create a fantastic experience for visitors and demonstrated the value of strong manufacturer-installer partnerships. About The Three Counties Show The Three Counties Show is one of the UK's largest agricultural and countryside events, held annually at the Three Counties Showground in Malvern. The show attracts thousands of visitors each year and features farming, food, retail, home improvement, outdoor living, livestock, machinery and business exhibitors from across the country. Our Sponsors The Door Industry Journal The Door Industry Journal is the only trade magazine targeted towards the Garage Door Industry. To receive the magazine and weekly newsletter for no cost send your details to pr@cvgroup.co.uk to get added to the distribution list. ToolTrade For top branded products at competitive prices, speak to ToolTrade. A leading provider of tools, fixings and sealants. To open a trade account and have some customised pricing email your enquiry to info@tool-trade.co.uk
15 giu 2026
8:44
#12 Pricing, Profits and Value – How to Price Confidently Without Losing Work
In this episode, we tackle one of the biggest challenges facing garage door installers and business owners: pricing. From understanding your true costs and profit margins through to customer psychology, quote presentation, and handling price objections, we explore how successful garage door companies price confidently without relying on discounts to win work. Whether you're a sole trader, growing installation company, or established garage door business looking to improve profitability, this episode provides practical advice on increasing margins, improving quote conversion rates, and building a business that wins profitable work rather than simply winning more work. What you'll learn in this episode… Why so many garage door installers consistently undercharge for their products and services The hidden costs involved in running a profitable garage door installation business How to calculate healthy profit margins and why profit should be built into every quotation The psychology behind customer buying decisions and why price isn't always the deciding factor Why customers often buy based on trust, confidence, and perceived value rather than the cheapest quote How pricing tiers and package options can increase average order values and improve sales conversions The difference between price shoppers and genuine buyers, and how to identify them early in the sales process Why competing on price alone creates long-term challenges for garage door businesses How to raise your prices confidently without damaging enquiry levels or sales performance The common pricing fears that prevent business owners from achieving sustainable profitability How professional quote presentation can improve customer confidence and increase conversion rates What successful garage door salespeople do differently when discussing value with customers Why discounting can sometimes damage trust and reduce perceived value How to position your garage door company as a premium, trusted provider rather than a commodity supplier The relationship between pricing, business growth, customer perception, and long-term success Why price is ultimately a signal of confidence, quality, expertise, and professionalism in the garage door industry Our Sponsors The Door Industry Journal The Door Industry Journal is the only trade magazine targeted towards the Garage Door Industry. To receive the magazine and weekly newsletter for no cost send your details to pr@cvgroup.co.uk to get added to the distribution list. ToolTrade For top branded products at competitive prices, speak to ToolTrade. A leading provider of tools, fixings and sealants. To open a trade account and have some customised pricing email your enquiry to info@tool-trade.co.uk
8 giu 2026
16:44
#11 Modern Side Hinged Garage Doors - What's Actually Available in the UK?
In this episode, we break down the modern UK side hinged garage door market and explore the major manufacturers, product categories, and system differences that define today's side hinged sector. From entry-level replacement doors through to premium insulated European doorsets, we examine what separates the leading brands, where each product fits in the market, and how installers can better match solutions to customer requirements. Whether you're specifying side hinged doors regularly or simply want a clearer understanding of the options available, this episode provides a practical guide to the brands, technologies, and engineering approaches shaping the category today. What you'll learn in this episode… Why side hinged garage doors no longer sit within a single product category The differences between single skin, insulated, and fully engineered doorset systems Where Hörmann sits in the market and why it's regarded as a premium engineering benchmark How Garador positions itself as a practical mainstream solution for replacement projects Why Teckentrup has become a leading reference point for modern insulated side hinged doors How Ryterna differentiates itself through design flexibility and customisation options What makes Wisniowski a popular choice for strength, security, and robust construction How insulation, frame design, sealing systems, and hardware affect overall performance The key differences between the major manufacturers operating in the UK market How installers can better recommend side hinged door systems based on customer needs and garage usage Our Sponsors The Door Industry Journal The Door Industry Journal is the only trade magazine targeted towards the Garage Door Industry. To receive the magazine and weekly newsletter for no cost send your details to pr@cvgroup.co.uk to get added to the distribution list. ToolTrade For top branded products at competitive prices, speak to ToolTrade. A leading provider of tools, fixings and sealants. To open a trade account and have some customised pricing email your enquiry to info@tool-trade.co.uk
1 giu 2026
10:51
#10 The Modern Side-Hinged Garage Door Explained
In this episode, we take a complete look at modern side hinged garage doors - one of the most overlooked yet increasingly relevant product areas in the garage door industry. From how customer behaviour has changed, to common misconceptions, real-world applications, and where side hinged doors actually outperform other systems, this episode gives installers a clear, practical overview of where this product fits in today’s market. Whether you already install side hinged doors or tend to focus more on roller and sectional systems, this episode breaks down the full picture so you can better understand demand, improve your recommendations, and avoid outdated assumptions about the product. What you'll learn in this episode… Why side hinged garage doors are seeing renewed demand in the modern market How garage usage has changed and why that matters for door selection The biggest misconceptions customers still have about side hinged doors Where side hinged doors can actually be a better solution than roller or sectional systems How modern side hinged doors have evolved in terms of security, insulation, and design Why installers should change the way they qualify customer needs The future direction of side hinged doors in the UK garage door industry Our Sponsors The Door Industry Journal The Door Industry Journal is the only trade magazine targeted towards the Garage Door Industry. To receive the magazine and weekly newsletter for no cost send your details to pr@cvgroup.co.uk to get added to the distribution list. ToolTrade For top branded products at competitive prices, speak to ToolTrade. A leading provider of tools, fixings and sealants. To open a trade account and have some customised pricing email your enquiry to info@tool-trade.co.uk
26 mag 2026
8:40
#9 Marketing That Works - Filling Your Pipeline in 2026
Episode Summary In this episode, we break down what actually drives consistent leads for garage door businesses in 2026. Not theory, not trends, real-world systems that separate the companies that are fully booked from those wondering where the next job is coming from. We explore how customer behaviour has changed, why trust now matters more than ranking, and how speed, follow-up, and systems determine who wins the work. Key Topics Covered 1. Marketing is no longer about “getting leads” 2. Google is still the foundation - but trust wins 3. Paid ads only work when the system works 4. Social media is a trust engine, not a viral tool 5. Referrals still matter - but aren’t enough alone 6. The biggest leak: speed & follow-up 7. What a modern pipeline looks like 8. Why busy companies stay busy 9. What no longer works in 2026 10. What actually works Marketing in 2026 isn’t about doing more - it’s about building a system that captures, responds, and converts every lead efficiently. The businesses winning today aren’t guessing… they’re operating structured pipelines. Our Sponsors The Door Industry Journal The Door Industry Journal is the only trade magazine targeted towards the Garage Door Industry. To receive the magazine and weekly newsletter for no cost send your details to pr@cvgroup.co.uk to get added to the distribution list. ToolTrade For top branded products at competitive prices, speak to ToolTrade. A leading provider of tools, fixings and sealants. To open a trade account and have some customised pricing email your enquiry to info@tool-trade.co.uk
18 mag 2026
9:36
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