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When you engage their services, there are certain questions to ask a Locksmith in order to make sure that they are able to do the job and to ensure that it is done correctly, efficiently and cost effectively.
First-things-first : you need to establish that the locksmith you are talking to is able to complete the job you want. There are plenty of specialisms in the locksmith profession (e.g. automotive, safes, security systems, windows, garages, etc…) so you need to establish whether the locksmith you are talking to can complete the required work. Be prepared to give as much information as possible.
Try to use the right terminology… these guides should help:
Often the initial advertised fee is just a call-out charge meaning that is the amount you will pay to just get them to your location. Then the actual costs you will incur may be significantly higher. You should avoid any locksmith that charges a call-out fee. Most reputable local locksmiths do not charge a call-out fee – although some do for out of hours emergencies.
It may not be possible for a locksmith to answer this question accurately, but they should be able to at least give you an estimate on the likely total costs. The costs will largely depend on the costs of the parts and it may not be possible to know what parts will be needed until they visit. But at least you should request their labour rate.
Also check whether the prices they quote includes VAT or not. If not, then add 20% to what they quote.
Check this article out regarding pricing.
You should always try to select a local locksmith. The further they have to travel may mean that they will charge you more to cover their travelling time and costs. Plus, if they have to make a return visit, you might have to wait longer and pay more. A local reputable locksmith should normally offer to visit and provide a no obligation quotation once they have seen the problem. Read this regarding using local locksmiths.
All professional locksmiths should carry some form of public liability insurance should something go wrong whilst they are doing the job. If no insurance, then avoid.
The locksmith profession is unregulated. There is no government scheme that locksmiths must adhere to ensuring a certain level of skill and ethics. That means that rogue locksmiths are rife and you have to be careful to avoid these scammers. There are organisations like the UK Locksmiths Association, the Master Locksmiths Association and Certified Locksmiths & Security. If they belong to one of these or similar, then you know that they have at least been through some form of vetting.
A good locksmith will provide a guarantee on work done that involves the fitting of new parts.
The best way to verify that a locksmith is trustworthy and reliable is to check out what previous customers are saying. References may be difficult as a locksmith could always get a biased reference from a friend or family member. Looking at their reviews online is a good way of getting a feeling for somebody’s standard of work and professionalism. Locksmiths with no/minimal reviews or poor reviews should be avoided. Beware of fake reviews online and take a look if the reviewers seem genuine (check they are local and check if they have written other reviews).
A good, professional locksmith that is a member of a trade association should carry photo ID so that you know who they are when they arrive.
When you call, it is Lock Guy who will answer, there is no call centre or network of sub-contractor locksmiths (like many of the national firms that appear on local Google searches).
That means you get an immediate response directly from the person that can solve your issue and knows the local area very well.
It may be difficult for a locksmith to accurately provide a time of arrival. Some jobs take longer than expected, so they may get delayed on a previous job. But at least they should give you a time range so you do not have to wait in all day.
Knowing this in advance can avoid any awkwardness or potential frustration. Generally, you should avoid people that insist on cash only. Some locksmiths will not be able to accept cheque payments, but all should be able to accept bank transfers.
If they just want a postcode and seem to lack any local knowledge, then you may be talking to a central call centre and this might be a warning that they are not really local. Depending on where you live, there may be issues in finding the property and/or finding a place to park. Any help you can provide on this will be useful to the locksmith.
This is a nice gesture that will be appreciated by the locksmith and sets up a good relationship between customer and locksmith. Often locksmiths work long unsociable hours and having a refreshment is a nice thing to do.
If there is something you can do to assist, then it can speed up the process. For example, sometimes it helps to have somebody to hold something on the other side of the door. Or maybe there are some obstructions that need to be removed to make more space.
Don’t be afraid to check on the progress of a locksmith and ask questions if you have any concerns about what they are doing and why. Locksmiths are normally enthusiastic when explaining about their work and about locks and how they work. Having said that, some methods they may need to remain secretive about especially regarding gaining entry.
It is always good to double-check the cost again before they start work to make sure there is no misunderstanding. This is especially relevant if the locksmith only gave an estimate previously. Once on site, they should be able to confirm the problem and therefore confirm the total cost.
Hopefully this guide on questions to ask a Locksmith will help you to select the right locksmith, to avoid any confusion and to get the best price and service.
For more information on selecting the right locksmith, read these articles:
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.