Normally, locksmiths aren’t typically well-known professionals. Do they do anything besides making keys and fixing lock problems? Learn valuable information about finding and dealing with locksmiths from this article. You will know the exact steps you need to take when you next need a locksmith.
Poking at a key that has broken off in a lock can really make things worse. It is best to call a locksmith the minute something like this happens. The further the metal piece is pushed into the whole, the longer it will take to remove it. This can end up costing you quote a lot, so avoid it.
When a locksmith is replacing a lock for you, make sure that they are using a new one that is in a sealed package. It is the only way to be sure that they haven’t made a duplicate. If they do, this means that they can gain access to your home whenever they like.
While it is important to understand how much the job will cost, it is also important to be aware of any other fees involved in the process. For example, some locksmiths charge extra for emergency service. Others will tack on a fee if they have to drive a certain distance. Question the locksmith about this so that you understand how much you will be charged.
Try to call the same locksmith every time you are having a problem. It may seem embarrassing, but this is something they are used to. You don’t want to trust too many people with this kind of job, so once you find someone reliable you should give them all of your business.
If you get locked out of your vehicle, make sure that the locksmith doesn’t block your car in when he gets there. Unscrupulous people will do this in order to get more money from you. Never pay them anything. The best thing to do would be to take note of their license plate and call the police.
If you call a locksmith and they show up in an unmarked vehicle, you should be a bit concerned. Most legitimate locksmiths have a company vehicle. While having a plain car does not guarantee you are dealing with someone underhanded, you probably don’t want to risk your security by working with them.
Program the number of your locksmith into your cell phone so you can have it with you at all times. You don’t want to end up stuck away from home with no way to access a good locksmith. Make sure you talk to them about whether or not the rates will be different if you are stuck on the road.
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.
Though you surely want a great price, you also may get what you pay for when you go too cheap. This sometimes means that the contractor lacks the qualifications for the job. Get multiple quotes, get rid of the lowest and highest ones, and try hiring the modest ones.
Check the locksmiths credentials before they enter your home. Kick it up a notch and make sure to call the references. You surely want the best possible services from someone you know to be trustworthy.
Be sure to Google the business you wish to hire to see what others say about the quality of their work. This is an easy way to figure out if the company is a scam or not, but only if they haven’t changed their name recently. If you can’t find anything, that is another red flag.
If you have a keyless auto lock, let the locksmith know that when you call and ask for his service. All locksmiths are not qualified to handle this, so you may be wasting time by holding back this information. Most locksmiths will ask, but make sure to tell them in case they do not.
Don’t hire locksmiths after you only consider one. You should be calling at least three or more locksmiths before deciding on which one to hire. This will give you a good idea of reasonable rates. Also, you will reduce the costs that you pay for this quality.
If you live in a state where licensing is mandatory, ask your locksmith how you can verify that their license is current. If they happily give you that information, you can double check their license. On top of that, you know that they are likely a trustworthy professional as a result.
Tipping a locksmith is a common practice, so do it if they have done a good job. You may want to tip especially well if you called during off hours. For a regular locksmith visit 15% is fine, and for after-hours 20% is recommended.
Commercial security is a bit different than home security, so make sure that any potential locksmith has experience with commercial properties. Even if a locksmith has many years of experience providing services for residential properties, they may not understand the extra layer of security that is needed when it comes to businesses.
Do a little research on locksmith costs in your area prior to making any moves to hire one. if you are not familiar with pricing, it would be easy for someone to take advantage of you. While everyone has different rates, you shouldn’t hire anyone that charges far more than the norm.
Ask if the locksmith has an invoice on them which they plan to fill out once the work is done BEFORE they start. Look at it to see if it appears professional. Is it on letterhead? Does it include their company name and address? Or do they plan to create a handwritten invoice? If so, send them on their way.
Inadvertantly, you will get locked out of your home or car at the worst possible time. It is therefore essential that you have a plan. Hopefully this article has educated you on all you need to know about locksmiths and will keep you well prepared for whatever the future may hold.
Categories