When your forklift breaks down or needs preventative maintenance, you'll need to take it to a forklift repair shop. Not every forklift repair service is the same, so you'll want to do your research to make sure you choose the right forklift repair shop. Here are four things to consider when choosing a forklift repair shop.

Reputation

When looking for forklift repairs, you want a shop that has a good history and reputation, not a shop that has only been in business a few months. When a company has a good reputation and years of experience in the industry, you know you'll get quality service. To find out about a shop's reputation and experience, you could speak with other people in the industry like forklift rentals, or forklift dealers.

Experience

You'll also need to consider the experience of the forklift repair shop. There are different forklift makes and models, so you want to make sure the shop you choose has experience working on your specific forklift make and model.

Location

When choosing a forklift repair shop, location is important. For preventative maintenance and common repairs, you'll want to find a shop close to you since forklift shipping costs can be very expensive. Some large repairs may require you to ship your forklift to a shop further away, but you should always start with looking for a shop close to you.

Customer Service

When choosing the right forklift repair shop, experience, reputation, and location are important, but most people often forget about customer service. You want to use a repair shop that you can reach 24/7 in case you have any questions or need support. Chances are, you'll end up needing repairs again in the future, so having a forklift repair service you can have a relationship with is vital.

Keeping up with maintenance is important. Things like fuel filters, oil changes, electrical system brakes, hydraulics, and steering system safety should be serviced every 250 hours according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. When you need forklift repairs or maintenance, remember these four things to consider to help you choose the best forklift repair shop.