There comes a time when everyone will need a locksmith. It might be when you have lost your keys while walking the dog, or after a long day at the beach. Your house might have been burglarized, or you may be buying a new house and want to change out all of the locks. Everyone needs a trustworthy locksmith to turn to, especially in the case of an emergency. This is why it is imperative to have a reputable, skilled professional on speed dial when you are in a fix. So don’t wait until the last minute! Find your locksmith ahead of time to save yourself a lot of headache. But before you grab the nearest number, it will be helpful to follow some standard steps to make sure you are getting a good locksmith company you can rely on.
Locating the Best Locksmith in Your Area
As you begin your search for a top notch locksmith, you will want to consider its location, as having someone nearby is often imperative when you are in a fix. A neighborhood locksmith is often a smart choice, as they will be most likely to be quick to come to your aid. It is reassuring to know that your locksmith can make it over in a jiffy. Additionally, by hiring someone in the area, you are contributing to your local economy. But any locksmith will have to meet high standards to earn that coveted place on your emergency contacts list. So first you will want to do some quick research.
Consult your Community
When looking for the best locksmith in your area, the best place to start is always by networking with friends, neighbors and family. Someone in your trusted circle will invariably have had experience with a number of locksmiths and can refer you to someone good and local. Your friends and neighbors can also sometimes steer you away from any bad actors or locksmiths who aren’t up to snuff.
Do Online Research
As with anything involving your safety and security, you will want to do your due diligence by thoroughly researching local locksmiths online. A simple Google search will yield any number of nearby locksmith companies. It is up to you to choose carefully, as you will need someone from a reputable company who is trained and skilled enough to handle something as essential as your locks and keys. Reading customer reviews can be extremely helpful in choosing the right locksmith for you.
Choose Carefully
Most reputable locksmiths will have a recognizable brand across their company, from business cards to stationery, to vehicle signs. You should be able to communicate with them efficiently and comfortably, and they should quickly put you at ease. An upstanding locksmith will be able to quickly recognize the problem at hand and provide a solution for it. They should also be able to provide you with an estimate for labor and any necessary equipment before you make your choice. You will want to be sure that they are open to any and all questions you have before moving forward with them.
Do Not Be Afraid to Ask Questions
When you have made contact with a locksmith company of interest, be proactive in getting the answers you need up front, so that there is no confusion or vagueness down the road as to what your expectations are and what they promise to deliver. You may want to ask them questions such as:
- What kind of payment options do you offer?
- What kind of information do you require up front? Can I send a photo?
- Where are you located?
- What is the process you will use to enter the house, commercial building or vehicle?
- What is the name of the individual you will be sending?
- What factors would cause the estimate to change?
Size Matters
During your search, bear in mind that the size of the company may reflect their commitment to precision and to personalized customer service. Sometimes larger companies with broad serviceability resort to sourcing out work to middlemen, rather than committing to an individual who comes directly from their company, representing them to the fullest. There is more margin for error and misunderstandings, and prices are less likely to be driven up. A family-owned company that specializes in one particular area is ideal, as they tend to take great pride in their reputation and work hard to maintain it.
Clarity Counts
When contacting a locksmith company, do not be afraid to ask very specific questions about the person they will be sending and what you should expect in terms of their entry into the house, commercial building, or your car. Any locksmith worth their salt is going to be eager to put you at ease, as they are trained in dealing with something as sensitive as personal safety. You are entitled to ask their name and the exact time of their arrival, as well as their experience in managing situations that reflect your particular circumstances.
Scammers are Scary
It is rare to come across a fraudulent locksmith company. However, they do exist. And you will want to be absolutely confident that the person you are giving access to your car/home/place of business has the most professional standards and intentions. This is why you will want to do all of the research ahead of the time you need to enlist the services of an experienced locksmith. Steer away from any 1-800 numbers and locksmiths who come in unmarked vehicles. Most importantly, trust your instincts and when you feel like something is fishy, quickly halt communication and continue in your pursuit until you find a locksmith who is on the up and up.
Request Referrals and Credentials
A helpful tool in securing a reputable locksmith is asking them for referrals and for proof of their previous work, as well as all relevant credentials. Some states require locksmiths to take an exam in order to become licensed. Within these states, any locksmith who takes pride in his work will be happy to provide you with their certification.
With the exception of Miami Dade County and Hillsborough County, locksmiths in Florida do not require a license. However, any technician affiliated with a quality company will be fully trained and experienced in installing locks, entering locked buildings or automobiles, creating replacement keys, and any other type of issue you may be having. A solid locksmith company will have testimonials and credentials to back themselves up. (1) Make sure to always request a form of identification upon their arrival.
Request Documentation and Invoices
When your chosen locksmith arrives at your destination, having agreed to provide the service that you require, request confirmation of the estimate that was previously provided. A trustworthy locksmith will be happy to provide you with this. Make sure that the work the locksmith intends to do is what you requested and wait to pay for the services until completion, at which point you should request a copy of the invoice, detailing the services provided and including the final cost. You may need such documentation if you plan to make a claim to your insurance company, but at minimum it will be important to have in your records.
A reputable locksmith will most likely ask for proof that you are the owner of the property or the vehicle. Be ready with identification and/or proof of address, such as a utility bill. You will be required to provide a signature to indicate your agreement to the terms and to the work completed. Make sure to read over any documentation prior to signing.
Remember that you are entitled to ask if your locksmith company provides this kind of documentation prior to hiring them.
Be Secure Locksmith Is the One You Can Trust
At Be Secure, we are ready to come to your aid at a moment’s notice. A family-owned company, we have been faithfully serving Gainesville and its surrounding counties for over 15 years. We take great pride in our work, and your comfort, ease and satisfaction are our top priority.
At Be Secure Locksmith, we provide skilled, professional, reliable locksmiths who are trained to come to your rescue and deliver efficient service. Whether programming car keys, gaining entrance to a commercial building, home or automobile, or installing your brand new locks, we are the company you can trust. No job is too big for our experienced team. Our aim is to solve your problem quickly so that you can enjoy peace of mind.
We know that life is busy, and at Be Secure Locksmith we are ready on the sidelines to jump in and solve your lock and key problem so that you can get going. Our aim is to get you set up with your security system, so that you can rest easy. At Be Secure Locksmith, our experienced technicians are standing by with all of the necessary tools to get you safe and secure and on your way.
Contributed by: Be Secure Locksmiths – Florida’s Foremost Experts in securing your possessions with years of experience in all types of locksmith work from cutting keys to keyless entry card locks and more.