Where do you turn when things go wrong? If you end up needing someone to help you in a locked car or your locked home, you need a locksmith. Do you have a phone number for a reputable professional? If you don’t know, then you need to keep reading.
When you are painting your house, protect the locks by covering them up. If you accidentally get paint on your lock, your key may no longer work. Covering every lock takes some time, but not as much time as it takes to replace all your locks.
Before you settle on a locksmith, do some research first. Are they thinking about your best interests? Be careful, there are people out there who will scam you and make unauthorized key duplicates.
Be careful when you get a quote from a locksmith and then they raise the price on you later. Many of them are trying to scam your money out of you. If you’re being told the job is going to cost more than the price you were quoted, tell them to leave and find someone else.
No matter if you feel you won’t need locksmith services, you should be prepared. Research before you need one and find someone that you can trust. You can save their number in your phone, putting it at your fingertips in case of emergency.
Using a locksmith during regular business hours saves you excess charges. After hours, their fees go way up. For example, if you get locked out of your car, the standard cost for the service is about $50; however, after hours this fee can double.
Try to find a locksmith who actively participates in the community. A locksmith that keeps himself current with the latest trends and developments will do a better job. It will give you peace of mind that your locksmith is not a shady character.
Check a locksmith’s credentials in advance. Also, check to see if they’ve always used the same location. A decade of experience is truly a sign of competence.
Before scheduling a locksmith appointment, make sure you see their ID. Ask prior to their arrival and explain to them that you would like to see proper ID at the door. A professional should be in uniform, too.
Before you trust any locksmith with the keys to your kingdom, get a list of existing customers. Many businesses can give you a list of references, so try calling them. Find out how trustworthy and reliable locksmiths are and the amount they charge for off-hours and emergencies.
Google the locksmith’s name when they arrive. Never feel uncomfortable about ensuring the locksmith is qualified before allowing him to work. If you aren’t comfortable with them, try to get another locksmith.
When a locksmith gives you a quote, ask him what other things he may charge for. Does that price include the tax? Are discounts for veterans, seniors or other groups available? Do they tack on urgent service or mileage fees? Know the total before you agree!
Locksmiths, just like other businesses, will charge more after their regular business hours. Some contractors use this to their advantage and charge unnecessarily high rates. Ask for quotes from multiple locksmiths to avoid getting overcharged.
A locksmith that’s good should know how to change more than just a lock on doors. If you’re someone that got robbed, changing your window locks should be done as well. They can install an alarm as well.
Always ask to see identification when a locksmith shows up. Make sure that the person portrayed on the ID is the person who is there to help. Not every state mandates licensing, but great locksmiths have a license anyhow.
You want a locksmith that has a long-standing good reputation. If a locksmith is new to your neighborhood, get references from their last place of employment. Look on Google for information and reviews that apply to them.
Speak with the police department if you can to see if the locksmith company has had any complaints filed against them. Such reports would be filed with the police, so feel free to ask. If complaints do turn up, make certain to pick a different firm.
The first thing you need to do when you discover you are locked out of your home or car is to figure out just what the problem is. Did you leave your keys inside the car? This is not the same situation as if your keys are stolen. The first problem just requires assistance in getting into the car, whereas the second requires a full re-keying of the locks or installation of new ones.
We all need help in negative situations. You might feel you know how to fix everything, but that’s not always true. The information located above will help you find a locksmith you can trust.
