The profession of locksmith is fairly old in our society. However, that doesn’t mean all of them are worthy of your trust. Everything you need to know about locksmiths is contained within the following paragraphs and it will guide you to finding the best person for the job for your needs.
When a locksmith comes to help you, always ask to see their ID. In some states, the locksmith has to have a license as well, like in California, North Carolina, New Jersey and Texas. Do your research ahead of time so you know what documentation your locksmith needs to have.
Research a locksmith prior to hiring them. This will help protect you when you need the services of a locksmith. Some scammers will make duplicates without your permission.
Don’t be afraid to do a little comparison shopping when you need a locksmith for your family. While trust and reliability are mainly the most important qualities to look for in a locksmith, you shouldn’t end up being charged a fortune either. Look when you don’t need one and get your money’s worth.
Always get an estimate from a locksmith before allowing them to do any work for you. Unfortunately, there are locksmiths out there that will do the job then ask for an unreasonable amount of money. This can be avoided if you are clear about what you will be charged for the service.
If you call all of the available locksmiths and you are given a price that is too high, you should take care of the problem yourself. Use a drill from the garage to break open the lock, then replace it with a new one. You can find simple do-it-yourself kits at most home improvement stores.
Make sure the locksmith you hire is properly licensed and insured. While this may not impact his ability to fix you up a new set of keys, it offers a lot in terms of credibility and trust. Make sure anyone you use is up to date on all the paperwork and as professional as possible.
Choose a tradesman who is an active participant of his professional community. While it may not be necessary, if your locksmith knows what the trends and developments are in the technology department, it can reassure you. It will give you peace of mind that your locksmith is not a shady character.
It is a good idea to ask a potential locksmith for references before you hire them. Do not ask for a list then toss it out. You should call all of the numbers given to you in order to get a good idea of how good the provider’s customer satisfaction is. Make sure to ask each reference if they would hire the locksmith again.
If you Google the company you wish to hire and find nothing, be wary. Some locksmiths who provide subpar work will change the name of their company to get away from bad reviews. Obviously, if the company name is also the locksmith’s name, it will be harder to change.
Never hire the first locksmith you call. You should be calling at least three or more locksmiths before deciding on which one to hire. This will help you understand what the going rate is. Once you do figure this out, you are going to be able to make an informed decision about who is charging fairly.
Make sure any locksmith you hire will have an id before you schedule an appointment. You may even warn them before they arrive that you will be looking for it. A professional should be in uniform, too.
Find a locksmith with a long track record of work in your community. If they claim to be new, ask for references from their previous location. Search online for their name and where they used to work so you can see if they were reviewed in the past.
Ask to see their identification and license when a locksmith arrives. Compare the documents to ensure the licence belongs to the locksmith. Depending on where you live, a locksmith may not be required to have a license. However, good locksmiths will have licenses regardless.
Be aware that your home access is being given to a company or person that is able to pick locks. If you don’t get a good vibe from them, then don’t use them. This will help you to stay as safe as possible throughout the process.
Trade organizations are a great way to find local locksmiths you can consider. For example, the Associated Locksmiths of America will provide you with a list of locksmiths in your area. While they can’t all be guaranteed to be high quality, it gives you a list to start your research with.
Ask around to find out who people you trust use for their locksmithing needs. If they don’t have any recommendations, check with service rating websites such as Angie’s List. You can also ask construction companies to find out who they use, or even local security companies as they may know someone good.
Learn what the locksmith keeps when the job is over. For instance, are they keeping a duplicate of your key? This could cause problems if it is accessible to the wrong people. Find this out before the work is done.
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.
While locksmiths have been around for a long time, not all of them are as well qualified as you may think. Do your homework as a consumer and use the valuable information from this article to ensure that the person you hire is worthy of your trust and will take good care of you and your family. Nothing less should do.