When hiring a locksmith, trust is key
Ask these questions first:
- Is the locksmith licensed so you can verify that they are current and licensed?
- Can they give you a ballpark figure for a replacement lock vs. repair?
- Are they insured for general liability?
The ability to lock up your home, car, office and other valuable locations and items is essential, and the best way to do that is with the help of an experienced locksmith. A local locksmith can also help you when you accidentally lock yourself out of those places, which is a frustrating situation. Before you hire a locksmith, though, you need to know that you’re working with a trained, experienced professional. Here are some qualifications that you should check for in your locksmith before you begin any service:
Working With Locals
According to the Federal Trade Commission, many of the locksmiths who advertise “local” services are actually not local at all — they’re national locksmith services who contract out the work to a locksmith on their list, who may or may not be from your area. For example, hiring a locksmith in Boulder could have someone driving up from Aurora or coming down from Greeley. Whether or not a locksmith is local might matter in every case, but in situations where you are locked out of your home or your vehicle and you need to get back in — quickly — working with a local locksmith can save you several hours of waiting time. When you hire a locksmith who lives and works in your area, you also ensure that you won’t be one thousand of callers contacting a national call center or have trouble getting in touch with the locksmith who provided service if you need a follow-up after the work is done.
Locksmith Training and Experience
Besides not being local, not everyone who advertises locksmith services has the proper training. Locksmithing is one of the commonly scammed industries out there, which means you might hire someone who doesn’t have the qualifications to perform the best locksmith work for you. If you have some additional time, such as when you are looking for someone to re-key or replace the locks in your home or business, you can take the time to check out the locksmith’s credentials before you hire. Before you hire any locksmith, be sure to ask whether they are licensed, bonded, or insured to ensure you’re hiring a trained, experienced locksmith.
Highly Recommended
Another consideration is how highly recommended your locksmith is. Whether you ask friends and family or go online to check out reviews from other customers in your area, finding someone who comes with good recommendations can help ensure that you get speedy quality service. Asking for reviews — and for client references, if you have the time to check into them — is also a good way to ensure you’re working with a legitimate locksmith and not a scammer.
