Our Position: Repair First
We are a repair business. Our commercial model is built around getting shutters working again, not selling new ones. When you call us with a faulty shutter, our engineers will always assess whether repair is viable before discussing replacement. If repair is the right answer, and in the majority of cases it is, that is what we will recommend.
We will not recommend replacement to generate a larger invoice. If your shutter can be repaired cost-effectively, we will repair it. But there are situations where replacement genuinely is the better long-term choice, and when that is the case, we will tell you clearly and explain why.
When Repair Is Almost Always the Right Answer
- The shutter has a single identifiable fault, motor failure, broken spring, faulty control panel, damaged slats in one section
- The shutter is under 15 years old and otherwise in good structural condition
- The repair cost is significantly less than 50% of the cost of a like-for-like replacement
- The shutter make and model has readily available parts
- The shutter curtain, guide rails, and structural components are sound
Over 90% of the shutter faults we attend across Essex are repaired on the first visit. The vast majority of these are single faults, motor failure, spring failure, control system faults, that are straightforward repairs with parts from the van. Repair is the norm, not replacement.
When Replacement May Be the Better Choice
There are situations where replacement provides better long-term value than repair. These include:
Multiple simultaneous faults
If a shutter has a failed motor, worn springs, damaged slats, and corroded guide rails all at once, the repair cost across all those components may approach or exceed what a new shutter would cost. A new shutter also comes with a warranty and a fresh maintenance history.
Shutter age over 20 years with multiple worn components
Shutters over 20 years old that have not been regularly maintained often reach a point where one repaired component is quickly followed by another failure. At this point, the shutter is reaching the end of its economically viable life.
Repair cost approaches 50% of replacement cost
This is the clearest financial signal. If a repair quotation is more than half the cost of a like-for-like new shutter, the economics of replacement become compelling, particularly if the shutter is already showing other signs of wear.
Parts no longer available
For very old shutters, particularly those over 25–30 years old, original replacement parts may no longer be manufactured. While we can often find compatible alternatives, there are cases where this is not possible and replacement becomes the only practical option.
Security specification no longer adequate
Insurance requirements and security standards evolve. If your insurer requires a higher-rated shutter, or if your existing shutter no longer meets current security standards, replacement with a specified product may be necessary.
How We Assess Your Shutter
When an engineer attends your premises, they carry out a full condition assessment, not just of the presenting fault, but of the shutter as a whole. They will inspect the curtain, guide rails, drive mechanism, springs, control system, and structural components. They will then explain what they found and give you an honest recommendation.
If both repair and replacement are viable options, the engineer will give you costs and timescales for both and explain the trade-offs. The decision is always yours. We do not use high-pressure tactics and we do not apply time pressure to force a decision on site.
The engineer will identify the fault and any other issues found during the inspection. You will receive a fixed price for the repair. If replacement is also worth considering, you will receive an indication of replacement costs.
If you proceed with repair, it is carried out on the same visit in most cases. If you proceed with replacement, we arrange a survey and installation date. If you decide not to proceed with either, you are under no obligation.
The Cost of Doing Nothing
One option people sometimes consider is leaving a partially working shutter as it is, perhaps because it opens but closes slowly, or because it operates manually even though the motor has failed. This approach has hidden costs.
A shutter operating outside its design parameters will typically deteriorate faster. A motor that is intermittently working and drawing high current will burn out. Springs showing fatigue will fail suddenly rather than gradually. And a shutter failure at midnight on a Bank Holiday, when the symptom has been ignored for months, costs more to resolve than addressing the underlying fault when it first appeared.
Regular servicing is the most effective way to identify developing faults before they become failures. Learn more about our Servicing & Maintenance contracts.