You often do not give thought to using a locksmith until you really need one. Normal practice is to just insert your key into the door lock and enter. This article will provide you with what you need to know before hiring a locksmith.
Be on the alert for locksmiths who provide estimates only to raise them significantly later on. They’re doing this to scam you out of more money. If the job is more than what it would cost on the phone, hire someone else.
Even if a locksmith is something you will never have need for, it is good to be prepared. You want to have a reputable locksmith in mind before an emergency arises. Once you find a good locksmith, keep their number in your address book or saved to your cell phone for future use.
Business Hours
Avoid additional fees by not calling a locksmith after regular business hours. Calling a locksmith after normal business hours can cost extra. For instance, it normally costs about $50 for locksmith services to assist with a car lockout, but after hours, the fee could be $100 or more.
If you don’t know if a locksmith can be trusted, the BBB’s website can help you determine that. This will help you to feel more confident with your choice.
If the locksmith quotes one price and then changes it, demand a copy of the bill to compare prices. There are plenty of honest locksmiths out there, so do not do business with someone who isn’t straight with you.
Try to target a locksmith that is part of a community of locksmith professionals. A locksmith who is up-to-date on technological advances will offer you the best service. It also helps knowing that he or she will not scam you out of money.
If time allows, search the web on the locksmith whom you are planning to call. There are a number of reliable websites that contain reviews of consumer services. When picking out a website for reviews, be sure it’s not the website of that locksmith. Another valuable resource is the BBB.
You don’t want to hire a locksmith simply because they are cheap. They may not have a lot of experience, or may be desperate for work. Obtain a few quotes, eliminate the most and least expensive, and choose one of the ones in between.
Ask a potential locksmith about their experience. If it has been a significant amount of time, chances are they are reliable and trustworthy. Although a new locksmith shouldn’t automatically be viewed as untrustworthy, caution should be taken.
Avoid any locksmith who says they have to drill the lock and replace it if you have been locked out. A professional locksmith is able to easily open a common house lock. In addition, they should also be able to replace your lost keys if you need it.
One of the easiest ways to check on a locksmith is by simply Googling them. Don’t feel uncomfortable about doing this – you are protecting yourself and your family. If anything you find out about them makes you uncomfortable, have a different locksmith come to your home.
If a locksmith charges you for just coming to your house, do not use him. This is far from standard practice, so it is an indicator of a bad apple. If you decide that you do not want their services, such as if they are not properly licensed, and they request payment, contact the police.
The serivces of a locksmith will cost more when you need to call outside of business hours. Some people will take advantage and use this to charge exorbitant rates. You can drastically cut your bill by getting several price quotes before choosing a locksmith.
If your home has been burglarized, find a locksmith that can treat your windows and doors. Some of them may have experience with alarm systems too.
Locksmiths don’t frequently come up in your daily conversations, but they an be quite important. The above piece has given you great advice. Use these tips in any lock and key emergency.
