The more you know, the better. This has proven to be true over and over again in your life, and now you know it applies to the situation of hiring a locksmith, too. That means you need to learn all you can from this article, so check out the advice below.
If you have just moved into a new place, you should call a locksmith and have them change the locks right away. Even if the former owners seem trustworthy, you don’t want someone walking around with keys to your home. The price of a lock is small compared to the need for safety for you and your family.
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.
Do not let the locksmith begin work until he or she has given you an estimate. Rather than simply getting a verbal estimate, insist that the locksmith write the quote down on paper. This way, you have proof of the number that you were quoted. As long as you agree with the price, work can commence at that point.
If you have a key that says “do not duplicate” on it, you can still go to a locksmith and have them make you copies. Many people offer these keys because it encourages you to pay them to get duplicates. Most locksmiths won’t think twice before making you a spare.
You can avoid extra fees by contacting a locksmith during normal business hours. After hours, you can expect locksmith costs to vary quite a bit. The fee can be double or more the standard fee after hours.
Be certain to always get a receipt for services performed by a locksmith. Most locksmiths are trustworthy, but there are those who try to cheat other. You will want to get quality service and have paperwork to back it up. Put the receipt in a safe place in case a question about the payment arises later on.
If you are trying to find a good locksmith, think about contacting a security company in the area. A construction company is also a good choice. Many times, these companies have a locksmith that they turn to when they need work done, so they can provide you with a good recommendation.
Before you hire a local locksmith, check your local laws. Many states have regulations in place to protect consumers from fraud and sub-par work. For instance, California mandates licensing. Know how the laws in your area are set up to protect you and make sure that they do! You’ve got too mcuh at stake not to.
When you are looking for a locksmith, it would be a good idea to hire someone that is skilled working with homes and autos. This is a good idea since it means you will not have to hire two different people om order to get all of your needs met.
Always do some comparison shopping with locksmiths. Weigh a few options before you decide on one. This will give you a reasonable expectation of what the average charge is. With this knowledge, you can be more sure that your locksmith is charging fairly.
Make sure that you ask any potential locksmiths what type of locks they have experience with. You don’t want to call someone to help you with a problem and they are not familial with the issue. Save everyone some time by verifying whether they are skilled with home locks, car locks or both.
Get a written estimate before you allow any work to be done. If you are locked out, you should be able to get an estimate over the phone. Be sure to ask them about any additional fees before you agree to hiring them so that you don’t end up with a huge surprise bill once the work is done.
Check out locksmiths on the Better Business Bureau website. This is a great way to see who has successfully resolved claims against them and those who have not. Just because a company has a claim doesn’t mean they are bad as long as they resolved it to the satisfaction of their customer.
Steer clear of any locksmith who simply uses a generic name for his or her services. Look for a reputable company with a brand name attached. Those generic companies are more likely to be scams, so its best to avoid them all together. Plus, it helps you narrow down the best choice in your area.
Ask your locksmith to bring a written estimate with them. In order for it to be accurate, give them all the details you can think of. Tell them if you are locked out with a deadbolt or a knob lock, or how many windows you would like locks installed on. Be exacting!
Ask your locksmith if they have any personal certifications, licenses or memberships in trade organizations. Their activity in relation to their profession will show you their dedication to the trade. The more they learn, the better for you, so choose someone who works hard to keep their skills up to date.
The law states that all locksmiths are required to carry a pocket-sized version of their license on them. If you ask the locksmith who comes to help you for theirs and they don’t have it, send them away. You cannot trust the quality of their work if they are unlicensed.
One easy way to determine if a locksmith is local or not is to ask how long it will take for them to get to where you are. You can pretend to be locked out if you are just doing research. If they say more than an hour or so, they’re likely not local.
Before moving forward with a locksmith, make sure you check the person’s I.D. You want to make sure the person who arrived is the correct person you spoke with on the phone. This is for your own security. Plus, there are quite a few states that require licensing for locksmiths. You can be doubly safe and request to see that as well.
Since there’s so much riding on the locks and keys you and your family use every day, you really can’t take any chances when you hire a locksmith. The information presented in this article should see you prepared for anything. Don’t take chances and don’t take just anyone; hire only the best to protect your family and belongings.
