There are a variety of reasons why you have to hire a locksmith. The reasons that you need one are immaterial, but you should use the following advice to help you locate a good professional. These tips will help you out when looking for a locksmith.
If you need to paint your house, cover all locks before painting doors. You will have to get a locksmith out if the hole is sealed because you won’t get your key to fit in. Covering all the locks may take some time, but that is better than hiring a locksmith to change out the locks.
Many locksmiths will quote you a price over the phone. If they get to your location and change their mind, do not continue working with them. They are simply trying to take advantage of the situation, and you should be wary. There are a number of locksmiths in any given area, so do not feel trapped into using someone that you aren’t comfortable with.
If you call a locksmith and they answer the phone with a generic phrase, you should definitely be a bit wary. Opening the call with “locksmith” or “locksmith services” means that they may be avoiding giving you a legal name. This is not acceptable for anyone that has the ability to access your home.
Ensure that the locksmith is licensed before hiring him. This certification ensures that he has the necessary skill to perform the work. Each state offers licensing of locksmiths. When the locksmith arrives, ask for identification, a business card and his pocket license. This will help ensure that the person you are dealing with is who he says he is.
Do not be offended if a locksmith asks for your identification or questions you a little. He or she needs to make sure they are helping the person that actually owns the home or the vehicle. You would not want to work with anyone that did not ask questions to verify authenticity.
You can avoid hefty fees by finding a locksmith while they are open for regular business hours. You can end up paying a larger chunk of money when you call after hours. For example, it usually costs about $50 to get a car unlocked, but this can rise to $100 or more after hours.
Before you hang up the phone with a locksmith, tell them you want a written and signed estimate before they start the job. Anyone who hesitates is looking to make a few quick bucks. You should also make sure to get a receipt after all of the work has been done.
When searching for a reputable locksmith company, discuss any additional charges for the work you are having done. Some companies will charge significantly more for excessive mileage and emergency hours. They could also have a service call minimum where you may pay them over $50 for two minutes of work.
Search for a locksmith well in advance of your need for one. If you have to try and find a locksmith during an emergency, you won’t have many choices. You may also find that someone that doesn’t have a good reputation will get the keys to where you live.
During your initial conversation with a locksmith, ask about his experience and how long he has been a locksmith. Be sure that they’ve been operating from the same location for these years. A company with five or more years of experience servicing a given area is probably a good bet.
Always ask a locksmith to show you a copy of his license before he starts working. Legally, locksmiths are required to have a pocket copy of their license with them at all times. If they refuse, call a different locksmith. If they try to charge you just for showing up, contact the police.
Try to have all your needs met by a single locksmith service. In other words, the same business that makes keys for you under casual circumstances should be the same business you call in an emergency. Otherwise, you risk not really being able to trust the service or being charged way too much for it.
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.
There are many great online resources that can help you find a locksmith. There are many places where people share their experiences both good and bad with different services. The experience, good or bad, should give you an idea what to expet. These reviews can make your decision a lot easier.
If you need a locksmith in an emergency after hours, make sure you ask the locksmith what the costs are for their help. There are typically additional costs for calling a locksmith out of normal business hours. This can include a fee and gas expenses. It’s best to know what you are getting into with the call.
A locksmith is usually associated with home and car locks, but keep in mind that they can be called if you are having problems accessing a safe. You will have to provide solid proof that you are indeed the own of the safe, but they will certainly help you gain access.
If it happens to be your car that your locked out of, pull out your insurance card and call your insurance company first thing. Your insurance company may have certain requirements about which locksmith is used. They may also be ready to handle all the details for you. It’s the smart first move to protect yourself.
Ask around to find out who people you trust use for their locksmithing needs. If they don’t have any recommendations, check with service rating websites such as Angie’s List. You can also ask construction companies to find out who they use, or even local security companies as they may know someone good.
Be very aware when you hire a locksmith. There are a surprising amount of scams out there. Remember, you are giving a person access to your home with this visit, so you want to make sure the person you put faith in is trustworthy. Look to your friends and see who they use.
Locksmiths do not come up often in daily conversation, but they are quite important nonetheless. Hopefully, you found all the helpful information you need in this article. Use these tips in any lock and key emergency.