15 Tips For When You Hire an Emergency Locksmith
It’s unavoidable; only a matter of time, you’ll need a locksmith desperately. You probably lost your keys, or need rekeying or key duplication. Maybe your home was broken into and you want full repairs and extra security devices installed.
These locksmith services are time-dependent. And when some bad locksmiths find someone desperate such as yourself, they tend to take advantage of them to make some quick bucks.
However, if you have the right tips to spot the genuine ones from the fake ones, you’ll never be swindled by a locksmith.
1. Cover all your locks if you’re painting your home
If you get paint in the holes of the locks, it could cause your keys to no longer fit into them. While this does require an extra investment of time, it is certainly worth it.
2. Locked out from your house?
Don’t just agree to replace that lock immediately. A good locksmith that knows what they are doing will not need to change the door open without putting on a new lock. Replacing your lock will force your money.
3. Don’t forget to tip
This is certainly the case if you are dealing with an emergency call. A fifteen percent tip is decent for a regular visit, but tip more for after hours work.
4. It is possible to get around additional costs by using a locksmith only during regular business hours
If they come outside of business hours, you’ll pay extra. In an emergency, you’ll have little choice, of course.
5. Cover your locks before you paint a door
It can take time to cover every lock, but that pales in comparison to the time a locksmith will take to change all of the locks.
6. Check your locksmith’s ID
You may even warn them before they arrive that you will be looking for it. A good professional should also be in uniform, but at least make sure an id is involved before you accept services from them.
7. Do not use a locksmith that changes their quote upon arrival
There are too many scammers out there for you to deal with one that is not upfront and honest with you.
8. Don’t hire the first locksmith you speak to
Call a handful of locksmiths before you make a choice. This will give you a wider perspective on what the average rates for services are. You can judge these locksmiths on professionalism and price.
9. Get references before you hire a locksmith in your home
Call the references before you engage in business. You should trust the best quality services and make sure their work is good.
10. You can Google anyone who comes to work for you
There is no need to be embarrassed about it; your main focus is protection and not just lock installations. If you find something about them you don’t like, call the company and ask for someone else to come out.
11. One of the first questions you ask a locksmith is how many years they have run their business has been around
Make sure that they’ve been doing operations from the whole time. A locksmith with more than a lot of experience is a great choice.
12. Make sure to contact locksmiths during business hour
Some locksmiths actually use these hours to charge very exorbitant fees. Ask for quotes from multiple locksmiths to avoid getting overcharged.
13. Be sure to check the identification for any locksmith you make an appointment with
A good locksmith will gladly show his credentials before beginning to work on your lock.
14. Locate locksmiths who have been running their business for a while
If they’ve just set up shop, figure out where they have worked in the past and see if you can get references. Look up their name and prior location on the Internet to see if they have reviews.
15. Find a good locksmith before you really need one
Waiting for an emergency situation has occurred means not having very many choices available to you. You could also risk someone who is less than reputable having the keys to all your valuables.
Never make a disappointing commercial locksmith hire again. If you live in Phoenix, give us a call and we’ll offer our professional and expert services to get you out of that hairy situation.
Call Us Any Time!
