Locksmiths are integral to your home security. The reason doesn’t matter. Using the following tips can help you find a reliable professional. The advice here can help you when you want a professional to help you with any lock situation you may have.
You do not necessarily need to replace a lock just because you are locked out. A skilled professional will be able to get you back into your home without replacing the lock. It is more expensive to have a new one installed.
If you have an attached garage, you should hire a locksmith to make sure that the door is secure. Many people fail to do this and they end up having someone enter their home unauthorized. Even if you close and secure the garage dorr, you should still have a lock put on the door to the house.
Many locksmiths will quote you a price over the phone. If they get to your location and change their mind, do not continue working with them. They are simply trying to take advantage of the situation, and you should be wary. There are a number of locksmiths in any given area, so do not feel trapped into using someone that you aren’t comfortable with.
After your locksmith finishes the job, be sure to get a receipt. Locksmiths are typically honest, but some are scammers. That is why proof that they were completely paid is necessary. Keep the receipt in case there is any question with regard to payment later.
Make sure that the locksmiths credentials check out. This will prevent you from getting ripped off. Because of online resources, it is not too hard to research a potential locksmith and make certain they are trustworthy.
Do not hire the first locksmith that you talk to. As a good rule of thumb, call at least three before deciding. This will help you understand what the going rate is. You can choose a locksmith with a price that is right.
Try to have all your needs met by a single locksmith service. In other words, the same business that makes keys for you under casual circumstances should be the same business you call in an emergency. Otherwise, you risk not really being able to trust the service or being charged way too much for it.
Before you agree to hire any locksmith or think you can just call them at the drop of a dime, ask if they charge more for your specific location. Many businesses will add on extra charges if you happen to live more than 20 miles from their base location. Know this in advance to avoid an outrageous bill.
One very reliable means of determining trust in your potential locksmith is the number of years they have been in business. Also, check that they’ve been set up in the same location too. Both of these facts are really good sings that you’ve found the best locksmith in the business and the one you can really depend on!
Look for a locksmith which not only offers a local phone number, but also a local address. Some unsavory companies use a local number but reroute the call to a national call center, sending out someone who may not be on the up and up. A local address means they really are in your town.
Ask the locksmith for references of previous customers. Any reputable business will be more than willing to give you the names and numbers of references, so be sure and actually call the people up. Knowing how dependable the locksmith will be and how much he or she will charge is very helpful.
Meet your locksmith before you even need to hire them. Visit their location and talk to them in person so you get a feeling for their character. Imagine if you gave them your address and had them show up only to realize you don’t trust them – they now know where you live!
Find out if the company you want to hire has done business under any other names. If they refuse to answer or hedge the question, strike them off your list. If they do give you other names, be wary as they may be changing their name to avoid bad reviews.
Know what the locksmith is keeping. For example, do locksmiths keep a key copy and your address in their office files? If the wrong person got a hold of this, you could be in danger! Find this out ahead of time.
Tipping a locksmith is good practice, so give the locksmith a tip for good work. This is particularly appropriate if you called him out in an emergency. Try to give at least 15% to the locksmith.
Always ask a locksmith to show you a copy of his license before he starts working. Legally, locksmiths are required to have a pocket copy of their license with them at all times. If they refuse, call a different locksmith. If they try to charge you just for showing up, contact the police.
If a lockout has occurred, figure out precisely what has gone wrong. Did you leave your keys in your car? This can be a separate situation than having stolen keys. If your keys are in your car, getting you in is a relatively simple job for the locksmith. But if they are stolen, you’ll need a new lock.
If the scope of the work done at your site ends up being more than $500, your locksmith may also have to have a contractor’s license to do the work. Be sure to check with your local Department of Consumer Services to determine if this is the case in your state.
There are times when you are able to leisurely view your locksmith options, while other times you are rushed to find help. The best bet in both cases is to already know who the best in your area is by applying these tips and searching through your choices. If you already have their number, the situation will be dealt with quickly.