A locksmith can get you into a home or car when you can’t find your keys, of course. They can also install a safe for you so that your valuables are protected. They can even replace a lock on a mailbox, or install locks on windows. What service do you need?

You want to be sure you cover all locks in your home before you begin painting. You will need a locksmith’s services if you end up sealing up the lock’s hole as the key won’t fit. It could take some time to provide all locks with adequate protection, but it will prevent you from having to replace all your locks.

If you have just moved into a new place, you should call a locksmith and have them change the locks right away. Even if the former owners seem trustworthy, you don’t want someone walking around with keys to your home. The price of a lock is small compared to the need for safety for you and your family.

Don’t hire locksmiths that raise the price after you received for a quote. This is just a way to get money out of you. Refuse to work with the individual and continue your search elsewhere.

Most locksmiths are aware of how to pick a lock and help you gain access to your home. If you are told that the entire lock needs to be replaced, you should see this as a warning sign. This costs significantly more than picking the lock, which is the reason some locksmiths will say it is necessary.


Contact your local Better Business Bureau to ensure that there are no complaints lodged against your locksmith. The BBB will have records of any complains along with what the locksmith done to try to remedy any complaints filed. A reputable locksmith may have one or two complaints filed against him; however, if numerous complaints are recorded, look elsewhere.

Do not be offended if a locksmith asks for your identification or questions you a little. He or she needs to make sure they are helping the person that actually owns the home or the vehicle. You would not want to work with anyone that did not ask questions to verify authenticity.

Before trusting a locksmith with your keys, ask for a referral list of their customers. Next, give some of the people on the list a call. Ask customers about the prices the locksmith charges during all hours of the day, and how reliable they are.

Most locksmiths are aware of how to pick a lock and help you gain access to your home. If you are told that the entire lock needs to be replaced, you should see this as a warning sign. This costs significantly more than picking the lock, which is the reason some locksmiths will say it is necessary.

If you receive great service from a locksmith, you should keep his number on hand in case you need him again. A very good locksmith is not always easy to find, so it would not be a good idea to discard their information. You will be a lot safer if only once person handles all of your security needs.

When the locksmith arrives on-site, make sure that the price matches the price you received on the phone. If the two prices do not match, do not let them work on your car or home. There are a variety of reasons the two prices do not match, most of them are not good.

The next time you are in need of a new lock for your residence, buy one from your local locksmith. They may cost a little more than the ones that you can find at home improvement stores, but the quality is a lot higher. Don’t worry too much about the cost when your safety is at stake.

Before you agree to hire any locksmith or think you can just call them at the drop of a dime, ask if they charge more for your specific location. Many businesses will add on extra charges if you happen to live more than 20 miles from their base location. Know this in advance to avoid an outrageous bill.

Find a locksmith before you need them. This is key to ensuring that you know the person is reputable and trustworthy. Don’t just look online, but call them, meet them and learn what they offer. You’ll get a feeling for them and know if you trust them right from the start.

Don’t sign any blank forms which authorize work being done! This just opens you up to being fleeced for all you are worth. If you receive an estimate, try to get it in writing. If they arrive and say that the job is going to cost significantly more, send them on their way.

Never use any locksmith who will charge you for just showing up! Most locksmiths won’t do that, so it indicates this person is not on the up and up. Should you ask them to leave, for whatever reason, contact the police should they demand payment.

A good locksmith can work on more than just your doors. If you were a victim of a robbery, get your window locks switched out too. Some have the knowledge to reconfigure your alarm system.

Find a locksmith with a long track record in your community. If they haven’t been doing business in your area for very long, ask for references from where they last operated. Do a search online for the company to see if you can find customer feedback.

Once you have a list of possible locksmiths ready, start contacting them. You could begin with an email sent to each with questions you would like answered. Once you choose the answers you prefer, you can meet with them in person to get a feeling for who they are and what they know.

Being a locksmith is about much more than simply making a few keys. It’s about being a respectable professional in the industry that people can depend on completely. Hopefully you have found this article useful and now know exactly what to look for. You’ve got too much riding on it to accept just anyone at your door.