Getting locked out of your home is a big bummer. It never happens when you have nothing better to do with your day than research locksmiths in your area, and then call one, and then wait several hours for one to show up, and then pay an otherwise unnecessary expense to get into your own home (because that’s a thing that people sometimes wish they could do with their day, isn’t it?).
Anyways, the point is, the best case scenario in these situations is to already done your homework and know which locksmiths to call. Maybe, if you’re the type who makes it a habit of getting locked out, it’s not a bad idea to identify one or two locksmiths, so you have them locked and loaded (pun intended) if you get locked out. To help you out, we’ve put together a guide of how to identify the best locksmith services in your area:
Four Things to Look for in a Locksmith
- Look Local
If you choose a locksmith who lives out of your area, even if they have a superstar rep, there are a few disadvantages. First of all, you’ll probably be subject to extra fees for the distance that your locksmith will have to travel to get to you. Secondly, sometimes there are extra measures that a locksmith will have to take per the local restrictions in your area. If you use a local locksmith, they’ll be aware of these guidelines, and will be able to best meet your needs. And finally, using a local locksmith gives you the best chance of knowing the reputation they’ve developed with your friends and neighbors and family. If they have a bad reputation, someone you know will know that and will have told you about the woes of their experience.
And maybe this is far-reaching, but we’ll throw this in: When you use a local locksmith, your money stays in your area. You give your money to a local business owner, that money goes into the pocket of someone who spends money in your area. If you’re a business owner, that money could end up in your pocket. - Look for Reputation
Let’s break this down: A person who has a career out of breaking into homes. There’s no way that could go wrong, right? You don’t want to welcome just anyone into your home, to get a first-hand look at your possessions and even scope out your security systems for that matter.
Before you hire a locksmith, make sure to do some research and check out their reputation. A few good sources for researching a reputation include reading up on the reviews from the Better Business Bureau, organizations like Angie’s List, and other online review sites. As we mentioned previously, it’s a good idea to ask people you actually know for referrals of locksmiths they trust. - Check and Double-check Licensing
Before you pay someone to break into your home for you, you need to make sure that they have gone through all the proper channels to get licensed. If they have licensing from the state, you know they have followed all of the regulations and they are answering to a higher authority.
You also want to make sure that you verify the information you’re given. After getting the licensing number from your locksmith, make sure to contact the office who issues these licenses and make sure that the name associated with the number matches the name of the person you’re about to hire. - Experience Matters
There are several reasons why you should pay attention to the length of time that a locksmith has been in business: First of all, if a locksmith has been around for a while, they’ve seen it all. They’re more likely to be able to overcome any lock issues you might encounter. Secondly, it’s not unheard of for a locksmith to develop a poor reputation and then go under, and open back up shop with a new name and a clean slate. While this might clean out the complaints against their old name, it also resets the clock. If locksmith has been in business for years and years, you know they haven’t done this.
Do you have any other questions about finding a locksmith? Please share with us in the comment section below.