5 Things to Know Before Hiring a Locksmith
When you find yourself locked out of your house or car, have lost your keys, or have need to hire a reliable locksmith, there are a few things you need to know before you contact the first available one. The five things to know before hiring a locksmith include gathering recommendations from those you trust, checking for third-party approval, doing your homework, knowing how to spot fraud, and always hiring locally. Let’s discuss each point in more detail so when the time comes for you to hire a reliable locksmith, you will know what to do.
1) Gather Recommendations from those you Trust
Getting recommendations from those you trust is one of the best ways to hire a professional. Some call this word-of-mouth advertising, and it’s truly one of the most trusted ways to be assured you are contacting the best for hire. This is especially true when it comes to hiring someone to work with your keys and locks that you rely on to keep you, your family, and possibly your business and employees, safe and secure. Quality locksmith professionals tend to not only show up during an emergency but also stick around to build strong, lasting business relationships with their clients. Start by asking neighbors, friends or family members you already trust who they have had work for them with their locksmith needs and whether or not they would recommend these companies. Also, consider contacting local real estate agents in the area who have worked closely with the best area professionals and can give a solid recommendation.
2) Check Third-Party Approvals
Third-Party simply means verifying that the company and their technicians are known by and have a good reputation in their field based upon an opinion other than what they claim in their advertising and preferably from a reputable oversight organization. Receiving the approval of a reputable third party ensures that they have already been approved and vetted with oversight from a trusted source. Often, this means that they have obtained proper certifications, are up to date on testing and exams that prove competency of knowledge, or are bonded and insured giving them more credibility.
A good place to start your research is at a website called Associated Locksmiths of America (ALOA) another good third-party site is Findalocksmith.com, which is a website backed by ALOA. Search for the locksmith’s company name, search by location, or find the kind of service you need. It is important that you go to the third-party site to verify any claims the individual professional states in their advertising is true.
3) Do your Homework
Do your homework well before hiring someone to work on your locks, keys, or security systems. Do your best to research the company enough to be assured that the locksmith has good safe technician skills, and always make sure to verify their credentials. Expect to be asked to show proper identification when the expert arrives. A legitimate and trustworthy professional will possess a valid state locksmith license and registration. Don’t be afraid to ask for this before allowing any work to be done. Also, look for the technician to show up in a clearly marked vehicle.
4) Spot Fraud
Know how to spot fraud before you hire a locksmith. It’s easier than you may think to be deceived. Not everything you see on the internet or in an advertisement is the truth. Before you trust your security to the first company that makes remarkable claims, verify that they are who they say they are and that they are a legitimate professional business. When you call, listen closely to how they answer the phone. If you don’t hear the company’s name stated, start to ask questions or end the conversation and call another company until you are confident the company you hire is legitimate and trustworthy.
5) Hire Local
Finally, these two short and simple words make a huge difference. Verify that the company is truly local and not just a technician being dispatched from a national call center. The first problem with using a national call center that you probably were deceived into believing was local, is that the locksmith may not know your local area and may take longer to show up, but that’s just the beginning of potential risks. These technicians may claim they are local only because they may live and work in the area, but the company who sent them to do the job is not a local company. Rather, the locksmith has been subcontracted to get the work done which means the cost may be higher than working with a locally licensed business. It also means that a complete background check or verification process may not have been fully implemented in regards to the technician working on your locks. Obviously, time is not always on your side to allow for this, but the best way to verify a company who claims to be local is, in fact, local is to visit their storefront before you need their services.
An Extra Word of Advice
Another helpful piece of advice when hiring a dependable locksmith is knowing that a true professional will be able to do a lot more than simply show up during a house or car key or lock emergency to get you out of a jam. A trained expert will also be able to help you out with cutting or programming keys on the spot, helping with safe locks or file cabinet locks, or setting you up with a new set of locks when you move into a new place. Before you call for help, understand what specific services your needs pertain to and then look for a local locksmith who specializes in that area of expertise.
Are you in need of a dependable, knowledgeable, trained expert locksmith technician in the Denver area? Call us now at (720) 575-2484. We look forward to serving your lock and key needs.