5 Things You Should Know Before
You Hire a Local Locksmith
By: A-1 Locksmith LLC in Westwood, NJ
Introduction
Locksmithing has been a recognized craft since the Middle Ages, and has
grown over time to accommodate advances in technology, evolving into a
highly specialized profession that is now regulated by the government and
standardized by licensing and certification requirements. A locksmith must
be knowledgeable and skilled in a wide array of proficiencies, some which you
might be surprised to learn of. Are you in the market to enlist in the services
of a locksmith professional? If so, then you should prepare yourself by
reading up on these five things you should know before you hire a locksmith,
this report will reveal all.
To your success,
A-1 Locksmith
Types of Locksmiths
There are nearly sixty different types of locks, belonging to four different
categories. There are also many different circumstances that require the use
of locks, from office filing cabinets to security-grade dead bolts. For these
reasons, it only makes sense that there are different types of locksmiths to suit
the variety of locks and lock applications. What type of locksmith is right for
your job? Here is a guide to the types of locksmiths:
• Residential/commercial locksmiths. These are the professionals you
would contract to install high security dead bolts on external doors, as
well as locks for windows, safes, filing cabinets, and more. Additionally,
there are a number of residential/commercial locksmiths that choose to
specialize in installing electronic components like alarm systems and
door chimes.
• Automobile locksmiths. Whether your automobile uses a key-pad
entry or a traditional lock, an automobile locksmith can help you gain
entry in the event of a lockout, and can also perform more mechanical
tasks like retrieving a jammed key from an ignition.
• Emergency locksmiths. In the case of an emergency (like locking your
keys, and your dog, in the car, for example), then it is in your best
interest to call an emergency locksmith. This type of locksmith is
generally mobile (operating solely out of a company vehicle), and has all
5 5 Things You Should Know Before You Hire a Locksmith
by A1 Lock Smith LLC
5 Things You Should Know Before You Hire a Locksmith
the necessary tools on board for all types of emergencies. What’s more
is that emergency locksmiths are open twenty-four hours a day, seven
days a week . . . because you just never know when you will be faced
with an emergency.
Services Offered by Locksmiths
As you now know, there are different types of locksmiths, and each type
may specialize in specific services. You may be surprised, though, to know
how very widely variant a locksmith’s offerings can be. Locksmiths must have
a broad range of knowledge and skills, to suit a variety of circumstances. Here
is a description of the services offered by locksmiths:
• Lockouts. It seems that when people hear the word, “locksmith,” they
automatically think of locking themselves out of their home or
automobile. And it is true that this is one of the most common reasons
people hire locksmiths. In order to remedy your lockout, a locksmith
may either pick your lock, or if that’s not an option, drill your lock out
and replace it with a new one. A locksmith’s services also come in
handy in the event of less traditional lockouts, like cabinet, drawer, and
safe lockouts.
• Lock installations. As previously mentioned, there are about sixty
different types of locks. A qualified locksmith should be knowledgeable
enough to advise you on which lock is best for your circumstances, and
as well should be able to install your lock of choice.
6 5 Things You Should Know Before You Hire a Locksmith
by http://www.westwoodlocksmith.org
5 Things You Should Know Before You Hire a Locksmith
• Electronics. While not all locksmiths offer these services, there are a
number of locksmith professionals that work with electronic
components like keypad entries, security systems, door chimes, window
alarms, and more.
• Key grinding. If you need to have keys made or changed on site, then
your locksmith will be able to grind new keys for you, or reshape your
existing keys to match your locks.
• Lock modifications. There are some cases in which a new lock is
desired, but it is not necessary to spring for a new locking system. A
locksmith may be able to modify your existing lock so that it is
compatible with existing keys (called “rekeying”), or so that you can use
it with altogether new keys.
7 5 Things You Should Know Before You Hire a Locksmith
5 Things You Should Know Before You Hire a Locksmith
How to Find Reputable Locksmiths in Your Area
When it comes to finding locksmiths, you should have no trouble finding
numerous locksmith companies, all claiming to be the best and vying for your
business. It is necessary that you screen a number of locksmiths to find the
right fit for you. Unfortunately, having so many options can be confusing, and
you may find it difficult to sort out the good from the bad. Here are some tips
for how to find reputable locksmiths in your area:
• Ask around. Perhaps the best way to find a qualified locksmith you can
trust is to ask people you know you can trust for a good
recommendation. In addition to asking friends and family, don’t forget
that there are a number of local professionals who regularly use a
locksmith’s services and who can point you in the right direction.
Approach building contractors, construction companies, and home
security system retailers to ask who they use, themselves, and who they
send their customers to.
• Trade associations. The Associated Locksmiths of America (ALOA) is
an organization that maintains a database of qualified, active locksmith
professionals. The ALOA will refer you to a locksmith in your area.
Additionally, you may be able to find other, more local locksmith trade
associations online, and obtain verified referrals through them.
• Search online. One of the easiest ways to find numerous local
locksmiths is to conduct an Internet search. Just be aware that not all
8 5 Things You Should Know Before You Hire a Locksmith
5 Things You Should Know Before You Hire a Locksmith
locksmiths are created equal, and you will need to scale down your list
of available options by way of careful research.
Screening Locksmiths Before You Hire Them
Once you have narrowed down your list of candidates for the job, it is time
to take the appropriate steps toward choosing the best locksmith for your
needs. Choosing a locksmith is a process, and will require some time and
energy on your part. However, it is worth it to know that your locksmith of
choice is reliable, competent, and trustworthy. Here is a guide to screening
locksmiths before hire:
• Online research. There are a number of great Internet resources when
it comes to checking out potential locksmiths for your job. Begin by
visiting the Better Business Bureau website (bbb.org) to learn of any
unresolved complaints. Then search for the locksmith through your
local Consumer Protection Agency website (consumeraction.gov) and
state Attorney General’s office website (naag.org) to find out if the
locksmith has any outstanding judgments or legal disputes.
• Licensing. Not all states require that locksmiths obtain licensing, but it
pays for you to find a locksmith that is licensed. Because locksmiths
must submit to a background screening and pass a proficiency
examination in order to obtain licensing, this is a very relevant
screening factor when it comes to finding a good locksmith.
9 5 Things You Should Know Before You Hire a Locksmith
5 Things You Should Know Before You Hire a Locksmith
• Insurance. Your locksmith of choice should hold minimum liability
insurance, to protect you in the unfortunate event that your personal
property incurs damages as the result of the locksmith’s work. Ask to
see proof of insurance before you hire a locksmith.
• References. Any reputable locksmith should be able to give you a list of
references you can call on to find out more about the locksmith’s
workmanship, trustworthiness, customer service level, and reliability.
Common Locksmith Frauds and How to Avoid them
When you hire a locksmith, you are giving that person permission (and the
ability) to gain entry into your automobile, home, or office. This is a serious
situation that puts you in a vulnerable place, and unfortunately, there are
individuals out there who prey on this vulnerability. Locksmith frauds have
been making the news lately, and the victims are often left feeling scared,
frustrated, and broke. Fortunately, there are some very common sense things
you can do to protect yourself. Here are some common locksmith frauds and
how to avoid them:
• Call centers. It is very easy to find a large number of locksmiths simply
by conducting an online search or looking in your local yellow pages.
What you need to know is that, in some cases, the local number you call
to reach a locksmith in your area is actually routed to a call center
10 5 Things You Should Know Before You Hire a Locksmith
5 Things You Should Know Before You Hire a Locksmith
hundreds of miles away. Call centers like this exist to find customers
that they can then send to fake locksmiths in your area, who can then
swindle you for cash.
• Cash, up front. Fake locksmiths operate by convincing the victims to
give them a lump sum of cash, up front, before they will do any work.
Once they have the cash in hand, they either leave before doing the
work, do faulty work (to appear as though they are working), or leave
the job unfinished.
• Verifying the business address. Fake locksmiths often use vacant lots
or other business locations as front addresses, for the purpose of
appearing legitimate. One of the simplest things you can do to verify
that your call did not, in fact, go out to a distant call center is to ask for
the business address while you are on the phone, and then verify that
address online. You can do this very easily by plugging the address you
were given and the phone number you used to contact the locksmith
into a free Internet phone number/address match up service. If the
phone number and address don’t match up, then it is a good idea to
move on.
• The company vehicle. Qualified, legitimate locksmiths should drive
company vehicles that feature the company name and telephone
number. Be wary of any locksmith who arrives at the job in an
unmarked vehicle.
11 5 Things You Should Know Before You Hire a Locksmith
by http://www.westwoodlocksmith.org
5 Things You Should Know Before You Hire a Locksmith
• Identification. Any reputable locksmith will volunteer identification as
soon as arriving on the scene. Additionally, the locksmith should ask for
your identification, to verify that you are who you claim to be (and the
person with a legitimate right to access the property in question).
• The final invoice. When you first call a locksmith, you will be given a
quote for the services you need. This quote should include any and all
fees associated with the job. If a locksmith arrives on site with a final
invoice that does not match the original quote, then that is a major red
flag. Don’t pay any fee that was not originally quoted to you, and make
sure the final invoice is itemized to reflect the breakdown of costs
(mileage, service, hardware, etc.) before you hand over any money.