Keep It Local

and avoid the ever-growing problem of national companies and rogue locksmiths … and the hidden costs that nearly always follow.

The locksmith profession is not well regulated. There are no mandatory government approved industry standards.

Whilst there are professional bodies like the UK Locksmith Association and the Master Locksmith Association, they are only self-regulating. So almost anyone can set-up and call themselves a locksmith.

So how can you be sure that you’re getting a trusted locksmith? And if you like to keep it local when it comes to tradesmen, how can you tell they really are local?

There are many stories of national companies using unverified, unqualified and uninsured locksmiths. They charge a cheap call-out fee, but then start doing more damage. This leads to adding more and more costs often leaving people with extortionate and unnecessary bills.

Gone are the days when most national companies used 0800 numbers. They now buy up local telephone numbers and have the calls diverted to a main call centre that could be anywhere. This often results in incredibly high charges.

Their websites are clever too. They have specially created ‘landing pages’ for each location making it appear that they are local – but they are not. Therefore, have a good look around their website, not just the page you ‘land’ on initially. Have a look at what other areas they cover and see if they really are local. Generally, clicking on the logo in the top of the screen will take you to their ‘real’ homepage – check if the phone number is still a local number.

When phoning for a Locksmith, Plumber or Electrician make sure you are talking directly to the tradesman who will be knocking on your door at the agreed time. If not, just hang up and move on.

If they do not know where your village/town is without revealing your postcode, then they are not going to be local – so avoid!

You can normally save around 50% or more if you use a genuine local Locksmith. But always check out their Google reviews first and take on board what other customers have had to say.

For further information Contact Lock Guy – Independent Locksmith Services

Got a question about a lock issue you may have? Why not have a look at the FAQ page or one of the helpful advice videos on the Media page.