Locksmith Tips And Advice Straight From The Pros

Most of us know where to look for the spare key around our house, but do you know what to do if it breaks in the lock? If the answer is no, you are in the majority. Unfortunately, most people are not prepared when they need a locksmith! The following article can change all that. Read on.

In the event that you have a high-security lock and there is a problem, it is best to call the lock company before calling a locksmith. Since this type of lock was designed to be difficult, a locksmith may have a hard tome getting into it. You may end up paying a bundle for them to try with no success.

Always get keys made by a locksmith that is close to your home. Sometimes keys are not calibrated correctly and they will not fit the lock in question. Going to someone too far means there will be a hassle if you have to take the keys back. Aim for a place that is a mile or two from where you live.

You should do your research and have the name of a reliable locksmith on you at all times. Look for online reviews and get recommendations from people you know. You want to know that you are not being taken advantage of if and when you are in an emergency situation.

Check the locksmiths credentials before they enter your home. After this is done, you should take it a step further and give them a call. You need the best quality services and a person that you can completely trust.

When checking the credentials on any potential locksmith, don’t forget about a possible alias, or other name under which they might have operated. While not everyone will reveal this information, it should be readily available to you online and elsewhere. While a name change isn’t always a bad sign, it’s something you should know about when seraching!

Find a good locksmith before you actually need one. You won’t have many choices if you put it off until you have been locked out of the car or house. You may even end up using someone with a less than stellar reputation.

Check the reviews of locksmiths on the web. There are lots of reputable websites that provide reviews online. When looking at a review site, make sure it is not affiliated with a certain locksmith. Check with the BBB to find out the claims towards your locksmiths.

Verify the credentials of a locksmith. You can do this by checking out the address listed where you found the business, and cross-referencing it with the given phone number. Given the power of the World Wide Web, checking someone’s background and credentials is simple to do. Just remember to actually do it.


It is a good idea to drive over to a locksmith’s place of business before hiring him to do any work on your home. This will give you a good idea of what type of person you are dealing with. Many scammers will give you an address that does not exist, so this can help you weed them out.

Protect yourself against being locked out by making extra keys and hiding them where you can easily get them. Calling a locksmith can be expensive as well as inconvenient, so planning ahead is the best way to avoid the situation. Do find and store numbers of trustworthy locksmiths in your cellphone just in case.

When you are looking for a locksmith, it would be a good idea to hire someone that is skilled working with homes and autos. This is a good idea since it means you will not have to hire two different people om order to get all of your needs met.


When you are locked out of your home, a good locksmith should be able to unlock virtually any door. If a locksmith insists on drilling into your door or tells you that the lock needs to be replaced, be wary of the service. Most locks can be opened without damaging your door.

Ask your family, coworkers and friends who they have used for locksmithing services in the past. This will not only give you a list of people you can trust, but potentially those to avoid. It will also help you to discover who is local, meaning you can track them down easily.

Do not try to be a DIY locksmith. You can easily damage your doors or locks by working on them yourself. Locksmiths are trained professionals who know how to safely work on your locks and doors. It’s well worth the cost of hiring a locksmith to avoid potential damage to your property. So, when you find yourself locked out or needing a spare key or any sort of help with your locks, contact an established and professional locksmith.

Ask for an estimate prior to letting a locksmith begin working. Even if this is an emergency job, require them to give you an overall estimate. Just like any service, there are general set rates for the things locksmiths do. If the prices seem out of line, you may be being taken for a ride.

Trade organizations are a great way to find local locksmiths you can consider. For example, the Associated Locksmiths of America will provide you with a list of locksmiths in your area. While they can’t all be guaranteed to be high quality, it gives you a list to start your research with.

Be very aware when you hire a locksmith. There are a surprising amount of scams out there. Remember, you are giving a person access to your home with this visit, so you want to make sure the person you put faith in is trustworthy. Look to your friends and see who they use.

While a license isn’t mandatory in all states, it is still a sign that your locksmith truly cares about the quality of his work. If he doesn’t have one, you might be better off hiring someone who does. The more proof of their quality available, the better your chances are that they’re good.

When an emergency arises with a lock or key, it’s no different than getting a flat tire in the sense that you need to be prepared and need to know what to do! Hopefully, you now know all that is necessary to find a good locksmith. This will help you if you ever find yourself in an emergency lock and key situation.