Choosing a Locksmith
With regards to having any kind of lock work done on your home or business, there’s no replacement for hiring a professional, reputable locksmith.
Your typical handyman doesn’t understand the intricacies involved with ensuring your locks and door hardware offer all the security the manufacturers have designed them to provide.
Common problems include installing entry locks that aren’t properly aligned with the strike, failing to mortise the jamb sufficiently to ensure a deadbolt actually locks and installing locks with master pins that allow keys other than those provided to the homeowner to use the lock. Unlock the secrets to hiring a professional Locksmith with these suggestions.
man holding unlocking tool at vehicle window
Locked Out? Avoid Locksmith Scams Before You Hire
Shady locksmiths accused of misleading customers with false “local” addresses and price misrepresentations.
Search for local locksmiths
Unscrupulous individuals and companies without training operate nationwide, flooding phone books and the web with advertising designed to draw the unsuspecting from legitimate, local locksmiths.
While these businesses prey mostly on those seeking emergency service, such as folks locked out of the car or home, they have also been recognized to provide other locksmith services of exceedingly low quality at prices well above just what a qualified locksmith could have charged. They lure their customers with advertisements claiming extremely low service call rates and unrealistic response times. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Choose a local locksmith.
type in lock
In the event you Replace or Rekey Locks?
Locksmiths frequently get calls from customers who would like them to improve locks.
Use reviews and referrals
Angie’s List is a superb starting place. Because paying members supply the reviews, Angie’s List is less vunerable to the fake reviews that are extremely common on other sites where anyone can write an assessment. Obviously, referrals you get from relatives and buddies are usually reliable as well.
Check credentials
While some locksmiths will learn a limited amount of skills and limit their work to the people areas, most will make an effort to learn more and much more about the trade, enabling those to expand their businesses and offer better service to their customers. Even though many manufacturers offer product-specific training, there are two major organizations offering continued locksmith training: ALOA Security Professionals Association and the Society of Professional Locksmiths (SOPL). Both offer directories allowing customers to find respective members in their area.
locksmith tools
Select a Locksmith Before You’re Locked Out
Picking the wrong locksmith could lead to price gouging or shoddy work.
Understand that most professional locksmiths are pleased to answer questions about locks and door hardware, and can usually ask you several questions about your requirements in order that they will be ready for the work when they arrive. The call center representatives who answer the demands the less legitimate organizations won’t do this. Speak to your locksmith; they could provide useful tips and information that you didn’t realize you needed. Be sure you are more comfortable with anyone you hire to provide security for your home or
