Often, when we need a locksmith, it’s during high-stress emergencies. When an experienced locksmith comes to our rescue, we’re quite grateful. Locksmiths really are unsung heroes when you think about it. Unfortunately, because of how chaotic things can get when you’re locked out, it’s also easy to fall prey to locksmithing scams. We need to be careful of people trying to take advantage of us or not doing a proper job.
Continue reading and we’ll walk you through the most important things you need to look out for when looking to hire a locksmith.
Get a Referral
You don’t want to pick the first Locksmith that pops up on a Google search. You should instead reach out to friends, family, and coworkers and see if anyone can recommend a reliable locksmith.
If the people that you trust can vouch for this person, chances are they’re going to do a good job for you too.
If you don’t know anyone who can refer you to a locksmith, then you should check out online review sites like Yelp. These sites are great because people can give star-ratings and leave reviews about their experiences.
It’s important to point out though that a lot of people who leave online reviews tend to be on the extreme end of things. Either they loved the service or absolutely hated it and that’s why they feel so compelled to leave a review.
Try to find a locksmith who has been reviewed by a lot of people so that you can see if there is a theme among the reviewers, either positive or negative.
You can also visit the website for the Better Business Bureau and make sure that the locksmith company is legitimate and well-reviewed.
Get an Estimate
Many people don’t know how much getting a lock changed can cost. Because of this, some locksmiths may feel that they can charge inflated prices based on the customer’s ignorance.
Ask estimates from multiple locksmiths to get a sense of an average cost.
The fees that you would pay to a locksmith are typically for expenses like licensing costs, transportation to and from the job, labor, tools, and continued training.
You should not hire any locksmith who refuses to give you an estimate and will only give you a price after a job is done.
Don’t Let Them Drill Your Lock
Only high-security locks need to be drilled in order to be opened. If a locksmith comes and says that they need to replace or drill the lock, tell them to stop.
Qualified locksmiths should be able to get into the majority of locks without having drill through them.
Know Their Service Area and Hours
Before hiring a locksmith, confirm that the job site is within the locksmith’s service area. Also, make sure that the time you are asking them to come out is within their normal working hours.
If it’s outside their service area or before or after normal hours, they may very well charge you extra. And they might not even tell you until they’ve given you the bill. Because of this, you must make sure that you confirm all of these things before agreeing to hire them.
Make Sure They Are Bonded and Insured
Even if the State you’re in doesn’t require locksmiths to be licensed, you need to make sure that the locksmith is bonded and insured.
When a locksmith is insured, this means that both your property and their company are covered in case some unforeseen accident or damage occurs.
If any problem does come up on your property during the job, then you can rest easy knowing that the damage is covered.
When a locksmith is bonded, a locksmith can give a reimbursement guarantee to the client in the case that any of the property gets damaged. This is agreed upon between the locksmith and you before work is started.
Bonding is an added protection for each of the parties involved.
By having a locksmith who’s bonded and insured, you will be more protected.
Pay Attention to What They Say
When talking on the phone with the locksmith, they should sound like they know what they’re talking about. They should ask you for details before giving an estimate and they should also be straightforward and professional with you.
If a locksmith seems to be evasive or vague, it’s probably in your best interest to go to someone else. If you have a bad feeling about the locksmith that you’re talking with, you should consider backing out before they come over.
Ask About Payment Options
You should definitely be aware of what their payment options are before you hire them. Make sure that your credit card or other preferred method of payment is accepted so you don’t end up in an uncomfortable situation.
The Importance of Knowing What to Look Out for in a Locksmithing Service
When hiring someone to perform a locksmithing job, the more informed you are, the more likely the odds are that you’re going to pick the right guy. Just make sure to do your due diligence and keep a critical eye open.
And if you end up with a satisfactory or dissatisfactory job, make sure to pay it forward and let others know about your experience. And if you’re ever not comfortable with what a locksmith is doing, you can always tell them to stop.
Are you looking for experienced and reliable locksmiths to work on your locks? Contact us today and see how we can help you!
