If you wanted to ask someone you know to recommend a locksmith they know, they probably would just stare blankly ahead. This is because most people are not prepared for lock and key emergencies! Don’t be one of them. Keep reading to hire a great locksmith.
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. Replacing your lock will just end up unnecessarily costing you money.
Be certain to always get a receipt for services performed by a locksmith. Many locksmiths are honest, but some cannot be trusted. Therefore, get proof that the services were paid for in full. The receipt should be placed somewhere safe because you may have questions about payments in the future.
Extra Fees
You don’t have to pay all the extra fees if you get a locksmith you can talk to during business hours that are normal. You can end up paying a larger chunk of money when you call after hours. There are extra fees associated with locksmiths out of business hours.
Find locksmiths that are active professionals in the locksmith 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 also shows he’s serious about his profession.
Get references before you hire a locksmith. Then, call the references. Not only should you hire a quality locksmith, you need to be able to trust them entirely.
Do not hire the first locksmith you find. Call a few to get a feel for the options available. This will go a long way to helping to familiarize yourself with what the market price is for locksmith work. Once you figure this out, you will be able to select locksmiths that give you a rate that’s fair.
The Internet can be very helpful if you need a locksmith. Lots of folks leave reviews online. Whether they had a nice or a bad experience isn’t important. Both types of reviews can be a tremendous help when determining who to hire.
Beware of any locksmith who claims they need to drill out your entire lock or wants to replace it if you find yourself locked out. A good locksmith should have the ability to get into your home without damaging the lock, and they should also be able to make you a new key.
There is no harm in quickly researching the name of the person who shows up to do the work. There is no need to be embarrassed; your safety is more important than your locks. If you see something amiss with them, call that company, and have another person come out.
Do not use a locksmith who charges you just for showing up! A good locksmith won’t do this. If they plan on leaving because they have no license or something similar, contact the police if they’re asking for pay.
Inquire about hidden fees when hiring a locksmith. Does the price include tax? Are any kind of discounts available? Are there additional fees which will be tacked on like mileage or urgent service fees? Make sure you know how much things will cost before agreeing.
Locksmiths, just like other businesses, will charge more after their regular business hours. Sometimes they’ll add on fees which are unfair. You can drastically cut your bill by getting several price quotes before choosing a locksmith.
Ask to see their identification and license when a locksmith arrives. Compare the two to ensure that the person there is who they say they are. Not every state mandates licensing, but great locksmiths have a license anyhow.
Check with your police department in order to see if there are any complaints against the company you want to hire. Complaints will be filed through them, so this information should be there. If they do have complaints filed, it’s best to choose a different locksmith.
Find out what is kept after the job is done. For example, are they going to have a copy of the key you have in their files? This could be a major issue if the wrong person accessed your file. Ask about this before any work is started.
Tipping a locksmith is good practice, so give the locksmith a tip for good work. Late night or difficult calls especially deserve this thank you bonus. A good tip for a typical locksmith service is 15 percent, but 20 percent is better for after-hours calls.
Did the locksmith give you a quote? If the lock has been damaged, it may require extra work on the part of the locksmith. But, you ought to worry if the price given in person is too much higher than the rate given over the phone.
Have a locksmith assess the overall security situation at your house. Locksmiths really know their field, and home security falls into that realm. They can provide you valuable advice that will increase your security. They can also upgrade your home’s security if need be.
When getting an estimate, ask for the “worst-case scenario” option in addition to what they expect will happen. A locksmith who knows what he’s doing will be able to anticipate any problem that could arise, giving you a quote that includes the extra work.
Ask to see proof that a locksmith has insurance before you hire them. If something happens that causes damage to your car or home, the insurance will help cover the repair costs. Only use a service that carries full insurance.
Usually, a person is not familiar with a great locksmith until they are in desperate need of one. That is a troublesome approach due to shabby or overcharged services. Keep yourself safe by utilizing the tips provided here. You’ll be happy when this is all said and done!
