We’ve all been there. Your key is jammed, you’re in a hurry and you’re locked out of your car. Stuck outside, pissed doesn’t even quite cover it. You don’t have time for this!
After jiggling your keys over and over, you’ve come to the final realization that you’re in desperate need of a locksmith — stat!
Locksmiths provide services that are an integral part of many day-to-day activities. But before you go hiring just any locksmith, there are several critical questions you should be prepared to ask.
Read on to learn how to protect yourself from being taken advantage of, reduce the likelihood of being scammed, and ensure that you will receive reliable locksmith services.
Are You Licensed and Insured?
Different states and jurisdictions have varying licensing requirements; however, all locksmiths should be insured.
If your locksmith claims to be uninsured, you need to move on to other prospects. Hiring an uninsured locksmith is bad news and could result in huge damage and financial losses. It is never worth the risk.
Not every state requires locksmiths to be licensed, so it may be helpful to research the licensing laws within your state for locksmiths. This can make you a more confident and educated consumer when interviewing potential hiring prospects.
Only 14 states require a license for locksmith services, so keep in mind that it is likely that you may live in a state that has no licensing requirements. The requirements to earn licenses also vary by state, so you may also consider asking about these qualifications or asking about any relevant certifications.
What Types of Services Do You Typically Provide?
(Shhh… expert tip…) This is a question you may consider asking before you explain the type of work you need to be done. You want to ensure that the locksmith you hire has done your requested type of work before — and well.
If you want a qualified locksmith technician, you want to be sure they have the expertise in this type of work.
Though it may not be ill-intended, it’s not uncommon for a technician to say yes to a job they’ve never done and assume they can figure it out later. This is especially true if the service you need is more specific, such as fixing electrified hardware.
The last thing you want is to spend extra time and money having to hire another company to fix a lousy job by an unqualified locksmith.
Save yourself the disappointment and don’t hire a rookie!
What Are Your Going Rates?
This may seem like an obvious question, but not all technicians are so up-front. Though this question doesn’t necessarily give insight into the quality of the technician, knowing what you will be charged sets appropriate expectations. It can also ensure that you receive the best locksmith prices.
Some technicians charge an hourly fee per specified service. Others charge a set amount per designated task. This is otherwise known as a piece-work rate, and you’ll want to be aware of this.
You also should not forget to ask about hidden fees! Sometimes locksmith services that appear to be the cheapest also include several hidden fees that come back to bite you. Nothing is more annoying than seeing these accumulated fees after-the-fact, and by that point, there is nothing you can do.
For example, some technicians may charge a ‘trip fee’ which increases in price per additional mile that the technician must travel. So be sure to ask how your location may affect the price.
Does Your Company Perform Background Checks to Ensure Reliable Locksmith Services?
This may be an uncomfortable question to ask, but it’s an important one. Because locksmiths are often given full access to homes and sometimes sensitive security information, you’ll want to be sure it’s someone you can trust.
Not all states or jurisdictions perform criminal background checks on their employees, so this question can provide you with peace of mind.
For the betterment of your facility and the safety of all staff and patrons, you’ll want to be sure your technician is responsible, trustworthy, and professional. Though not perfect, background checks can help ensure this.
Always Explore Options
With the advent of the internet, you should never feel like you’re having to settle on a locksmith service. Fortunately for consumers, there are dozens of reliable locksmith services throughout most areas, so feel free to do your research!
Take your time and don’t be afraid to ask the key questions. You’re entrusting locksmiths with your security, so accepting the first locksmith you find out of convenience is not advised.
If you don’t think your technician can provide you with high-quality work at a competitive price, you should move on. There are plenty of other skilled competitors that can offer you the quality work and services you deserve.
So what are you waiting for? When that dang lock is giving you a hard time again, go check out some of the locksmith services in your area and get it properly fixed!
