Recently we talked about the benefits of a national service provider versus a locally based locksmith. To that end, one of the most common (and understandable) questions we get is whether or not we do background checks on the locksmiths we use.
We do.
However, for local onesie-twosie type situations and residential locks, a local locksmith is your best bet and that leads me to another common question, for those who don’t have time to conduct a full-on background check: “How do I find a quality locksmith?”
Keys to Finding a Quality Locksmith
Figure Out What Type of Work You Need
You may just need a locksmith for one particular item in a one and done situation—if that’s the case, it may be fairly simple to find a qualified locksmith to work on that specific lock. However, if you have more ongoing needs or a few different locks that regularly need service, it’s not a bad idea to have the number for a quality locksmith in your little black book so you immediately know whom to call should the need arise.
Many, many locksmiths will tell you they can work on whatever lock you have, but in reality, they need to be trained for specific locks.
For example, a safe lock and a mortise lock are two completely different beasts; they require knowledge of two distinct types of hardware. While, yes, many locksmiths have experience in both, it’s always a good idea to check.
Ask about the locksmith’s specific experience with your specific locks. Otherwise, you risk wasting your time or money by calling out someone who’s not qualified for your job.
Find Out Whether Your Locksmith is Licensed and Insured
Just like you don’t want an unlicensed, uninsured driver as a chauffer, you don’t want an unlicensed and uninsured locksmith showing up at your house or your place of business.
Note that while not all states require a locksmith to be licensed, the following do:
- Texas
- Tennessee
- Oklahoma
- Alabama
- Louisiana
- California
- Connecticut
- Oregon
- Virginia
- Maryland
- North Carolina
- New Jersey
- Illinois
In the states that do require it, a legit locksmith has to have a license. You can look on the state regulatory board to see if they are listed as being licensed, or you can ask and hope that they are honest.
However, insurance is a different story. No matter what state you’re in, any quality locksmith is insured—if they aren’t (you can find out by asking them to provide proof of insurance), that’s your sign to show them the door.
Know the Competitive Rates
You can’t tell if you’ve gotten a good price on a locksmith if you don’t know what the average charge is in your area. Make sure you do your research and call around. Just like with any consulting work, rates can vary, but there are some people who charge far above the industry standard, without any premium service to justify the cost.
Once you know the rates in your area, you can make an educated decision on which locksmith you hire and save your checkbook from a bigger hit than needed.
Are you looking for a quality locksmith? We happen to know quite a few and would be more than happy to help. Contact us if you have any more questions.