When you’re in need of a locksmith, you want to be sure that you’re choosing a safe and reliable option.
There are a lot of locksmiths out there, so it can be hard to know who to trust. And if you make the wrong choice, you could end up with someone who is inexperienced or even dangerous.
We’ve put together 10 tips for choosing a safe and reliable locksmith. Whether you’re in Washington D.C., Maryland, or Baltimore, King Locksmith & Doors is here to help 24/7.
Here Are The 10 Tips for Choosing a Safe and Reliable Locksmith
#1 Call Your Insurance Company
Before you start looking for locksmiths, call your insurance company.
They should be able to provide a list of recommended service providers in the area who are available 24/7.
If they don’t, ask them to give you some numbers so that you can check with other companies yourself.
#2 Be Sure You Can Trust Them
Be sure that this is someone who won’t abuse your trust or take advantage of you when it comes time to pay their fees.
While most locksmiths will be willing to work out payment options, there are always people out there looking to scam others whenever they get the chance.
Some signs that this could be someone not trustworthy include lack of contact information on their website, being asked to pay in cash only, etc.
#3 Look for Member of an Association
Locksmiths are not required to be members of any professional organizations, but it’s still a good idea to look for someone who is.
The two most popular associations are the Associated Locksmiths of America (ALOA) and the Associated Locksmiths of the World (also ALOA).
These organizations have sets of standards that their members have agreed to.
This way you know that they’re familiar with modern security techniques and better able to keep up with new developments in the industry when it comes to your safety.
#4 Avoid Door-to-Door Sales Tactics
If anyone shows up on your doorstep trying to sell you something, don’t let them in. Most of the time these are just trying to get into your home so that they can steal from or take advantage of you.
There could also be a few rogue locksmiths who will try this same door-to-door sales tactic and then do shoddy work because they’re not reputable companies. Locksmiths looking for business should only solicit through word of mouth and ad campaigns – never at people’s homes.
#5 Don’t Always Choose the Locksmith with the Lowest Price
It’s easy to assume that cheap is always better, but this isn’t always true when it comes to hiring a locksmith.
Sometimes what seems like a good deal actually ends up being a bad deal when the work is done.
And if you’ve got to replace a lot of locks or have expensive repairs completed, choosing someone cheaper could end up costing you more in the long run in terms of higher repair prices and new lock installation costs.
#6 Look for a Warranty
Reputable locksmiths will always offer some sort of warranty on their services. If you’re not sure that they’re reputable, then ask about one just to be safe.
This way if something does go wrong you can contact them again and get replacements made without having to pay anything extra.
If no warranty is offered, then it’s probably best for you to find another option elsewhere.
This should also be true if they’ve agreed to a warranty, but you’re expected to pay for it out of your own pocket.
#7 Don’t Use Plastic Pins in Your Locks
If the locksmith installs the pins inside your locks using plastic instead of metal, then consider taking your business elsewhere.
Chances are they’re trying to save themselves some money and/or time which means that they’ll do shoddy work and there’s a high chance that you’ll be back with more problems later on down the road.
#8 Avoid Using Substitute Products
Many times when there’s an emergency locksmith situation people will go with whoever is available at the moment.
This can be fine if someone shows up who is reputable and has decent prices.
But if not, then you could end up with someone who is charging more because they’re using substandard locks or tools.
#9 Look for a Company That Has Been Around for Some Time
Just like with any other industry, there are good and bad locksmiths out there.
With the help of Google Maps, it should be easier than ever to find out if someone has an established business that’s been around for at least one year.
While you do want to see some positive reviews online as well, this will give you a better idea of whether or not the locksmith is reliable.
#10 Don’t Be Afraid to Do Your Own Research Online
A few minutes on Google can help you look through different company’s websites so that you can find out if they’re reputable or not.
Most locksmiths these days will have a website with information about their services, prices, and what kind of work they do.
So it’s important to look around before making any decisions because you could end up wasting your time otherwise.
FAQs About Choosing a Safe and Reliable Locksmith
How do I know if my new locksmith is reputable?
The best way of finding out if someone is reputable is to ask around.
Others who have hired locksmiths in the past should be able to give you insight into whether or not they do good work and/or if they’re trustworthy.
Another great place to look is through local references.
If someone has had a working relationship with multiple customers then that’s usually an indication of how well they will do their job.
How can I keep from being scammed by a locksmith?
While there are some trustworthy locksmiths out there, others will engage in bad business practices that could leave you feeling cheated or taken advantage of.
In order to avoid this from happening to you, always request a quote before having them do any work which will help you determine what you should be paying without any hidden costs.
Also, make sure that your locksmith is qualified enough to complete the job before proceeding with any service because this could save you even more money in the end.
Why should I always get a written quote before having any work done?
It never hurts to ask for a written quote because this gives you something to fall back on if they try to scam you or overcharge your credit card without your knowledge.
Not only will this help protect you, but it can also make sure that both parties are clear about what kind of work is supposed to be done and how much it will cost.
If everything is spelled out beforehand then there’s no reason why anyone would feel cheated which means that the whole process will go smoothly either way.
What precautions should I take when dealing with a locksmith?
Always find out if they’re insured. This way you know that you won’t be liable for any damages or injuries that might occur while your locksmith is on the job.
Also, check to make sure that they are certified and qualified enough to do the work because this could help prevent injury as well as give you peace of mind knowing that your locksmith has been properly vetted before doing any kind of work in or around your home.
Do you need a locksmith?
If so, you’ve come to the right place. We are one of the most trusted and reliable locksmiths in Washington DC. Our technicians have over 20 years of experience in providing top-notch service for all your lock and key needs. Whether it’s an emergency or not, we can help!
You can trust us with any job big or small because our team is here to serve you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We offer free estimates on all our services so there are no hidden fees when it comes time to pay for your work.
And if you ever have questions about what we do or how much something will cost, just ask!
We want to make sure that every customer gets exactly what they need without having any surprises along the way.
