Whenever you aren’t around, your home is usually locked up, with your valuables safe and secure. But what happens when your locks malfunction, when you can’t get in or out of your house or you need to duplicate the keys for another member of your family? At this point, you need the services of a good locksmith. So how can you find one?
Look for a Locksmith That Will Respond in a Timely Manner
The key component of a successful locksmith is speed, particularly how quickly he can arrive to a call out, especially if your situation is an emergency. The best method to avoid long delays is to do your research. Find out where your local locksmiths are located, how quick their response times tend to be and if they are out on call, already. If the locksmith can’t be at your location in 40 minutes maximum, look elsewhere. Most importantly, make sure that if a locksmith advertises a 24 hour service, that they will actually be ready to respond to a 2 a.m. call out.
Look for a Locksmith With Upfront Charges
There is no uniformity when it comes to locksmith charges, so they are often at liberty to charge whatever they want. It is your duty to ensure you know what these charges are ahead of time. A good locksmith is straightforward and makes sure the quote they give is definitive and devoid of any hidden fees. Understandably, some locksmiths charge a call out fee if you are dealing with an emergency outside of work hours. Find out exactly what this charge is, before they set out to your location. Failing to do so could result in a difficult situation, for example with a locksmith demanding to be paid after you’ve declined their service after all (perhaps you found an entry to the home yourself, or you lost your faith in the locksmith’s abilities).
Look for Referrals
Has anyone you know ever hired this locksmith before? Can you find some reviews online? The best locksmiths have reviews on Checkatrade and other review sites. It shouldn’t be difficult to get a general opinion or taste for the locksmith’s abilities and professionalism with a quick flick through some review sites.
Look for Professionalism and Proper Identification
You may have heard of some freak situations in which a locksmith was called out only for the homeowner to have their home burgled or cars stolen. This is what happens when you don’t ask for proper identification from the locksmiths. Checking for a company logo on the locksmith’s business car, invoices, ID Cards etc. should be the first thing you do upon arrival. If you are not satisfied, ask them to kindly leave. Additionally, the locksmith will want confirmation that you are the owner of the house or car in need of their service. If they don’t ask you for this proof, it can be a fairly solid indicator that the locksmith is not professional.
We are the leading locksmiths in Brighton and understand the need to always provide impeccable service. You can count on us to deliver the best solution to you at all times.a