Whether you’ve locked yourself out of your home, you’re looking to upgrade your locks or need lock repairs, there are times when you’ll need to hire a locksmith. The security of home or business is of utmost importance and shouldn’t be left in the hands of someone who isn’t reputable. Here are our top tips for choosing the best locksmith.
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Know what Services You Require
Knowing exactly what services you require can make the process of obtaining quotes easier, and you can be sure you are getting the right quote for the right job. Be sure to ask questions if you are unsure of what services you may require.
Competitive Pricing and All-inclusive Quotes
Whilst the cheapest isn’t always the best, it’s worth finding a trusted locksmith that offers competitive pricing to ensure that you are not overpaying for your locksmith services. Ring around to get some quotes before hiring someone. Ensure your quotes are all-inclusive, some dodgy locksmiths will give you a price but fail to mention that there are additional fees and hidden costs that they didn’t notify you of.
Look for Good References
Nowadays, a lot of people utilize the internet to leave feedback on their experience with a business – both good and bad. This is an easy way to check whether a locksmith is reputable or not. Have a read of their customer reviews, this will give you an idea of whether they’ll do a quality job or not.
Another way to get unbiased feedback on a locksmith is if you ask a friend or family member. They will tell you whether they are happy with their services or not.
Verify their Qualifications
All locksmiths need to be trade qualified. Under the Security Providers Act 1993 (SPA), all locksmiths need to be licensed. To obtain this licensing, locksmiths must undergo necessary fingerprinting and criminal history checks. You can check whether the locksmith has a license on the Office of Fair Trading’s (OFT) website. This is free and can save you a lot of money in the long run from using an untrustworthy locksmith. They can cause damage to your locks and leave your home vulnerable to unwanted entry.
See How Many Experiences They have
The longer the locksmith has been in the industry, the better. This shows that they are maintaining a regular client base, so they must be doing something right. Additionally, the longer your locksmith has been in business, the more experience they will have dealing with all types of lock situations, from older styles of lock repairs and replacements to newer, more complex fittings. They will know how to complete the job with precision every time.
Check Whether They Offer Emergency Service Or Not
Not all locksmiths offer an emergency lockout service, and this is important to consider when hiring a locksmith, especially if you are locked out and need to gain access quickly. Some may do it as a once-off but charge an exorbitant price for doing so. Their availability is another factor to consider. Lockout situations don’t always happen at the most convenient times and will often occur outside regular business hours. For this reason, ensure the locksmith offers a 24/7 locksmith service to avoid being stung with extra fees.
Ensure They are Insured
If something goes wrong and your locksmith doesn’t have adequate insurance, you’ll likely be the one that’s out of pocket for the damages. Even if you have home insurance, this is a huge inconvenience and may even increase your premiums as a result of something that was not your fault. Always ensure that your locksmith is insured for peace of mind.
Go With a Local Company Over a National Brand
Choosing a local company over a big national corporation ensures you are speaking directly with the locksmith, or at the very least, you can pass a message on easily. Dealing with bigger companies usually means ringing a call center where you are just a number. You typically don’t get the same person twice, and you have to deal with multiple people. Going local also sees your money being filtered back into the community. The service is more personalised, and you are helping small businesses rather than huge national companies. Additionally, you can save yourself some money on travel fees. If the company isn’t local to your area, they may charge you a travel fee to attend the job. Always check this when in the quoting process to be sure that travel isn’t an extra cost.
Take Notice of All Written Quotes
It’s a good idea to take notice of any written documentation you have been given. The locksmith may verbally say one thing, but their quoting may say another. Checking this can help you to avoid any surprises when it comes time to pay for your services.
Choose a Locksmith that Offers a Guarantee on Their Workmanship
If a locksmith doesn’t offer a guarantee on their workmanship, and something goes wrong, they may not fix it for you. A guarantee is a good indication that the locksmith is confident in their work. If your service isn’t carried out to precision, it is my fault. If they offer a guarantee, you can have it fixed for nothing.
Avoid the Following
- Locksmiths with bad reviews
- Lack of qualifications and those with no insurance and or license
- Quotes that seem overly cheap
- A locksmith that doesn’t have a business address
- Those that are pushy and dismissive of your concerns
- Companies that don’t include clear pricing in their quotes
Why Choose Express Locksmith Gold Coast?
At Express Locksmith Gold Coast, we pride ourselves on our exceptional locksmith services. Every care is taken to ensure that your home is damage-free and secure at the end of the job. We offer a 6-month guarantee on all our workmanship, allowing you to have peace of mind. Our team is highly skilled and competent locksmiths who hold all the necessary qualifications, insurance, and licenses to carry out their work with precision. We only use the very best products and equipment to produce long-lasting results.
Our locksmiths are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for emergency lockout situations, and we service all of South East Queensland. Contact us today for more information!