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

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

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