5 Tips for Hiring a Good Locksmith
When the time comes that you need a great locksmith, where do you turn? Whether you’re looking to replace the old locks on your home, upgrade your security, outfit a safe at your business, or replace your car’s worn out ignition cylinder, there is a long list of potential reasons why you might need a locksmith. Whether you need a locksmith for your residence, vehicle, or business, by performing the following steps you can choose the right company for the job.
1. Compile a List of Choices
In Vinings, GA and most other areas in Georgia, there are multiple choices for locksmith companies who provide service. Research your local options and make a list of all of the possible locksmith companies you could choose to hire for whatever job you need help with. Make sure that the company covers the type of locksmith services you need. For example, if you need work done on your home’s lock and keys, you don’t want to get your heart set on a company that only provides automotive locksmith work. You can find the locksmith companies in your area by researching online, asking around, and looking around your town.
2. Research Each Company Online
Any reputable locksmith company in this modern age will have an online presence. That starts with a business website where you can learn general information about the company, the services they offer, and possibly see reviews or recommendations from former clients. You can also search out the company’s social media presence if they have one. Keep in mind that this is only part of the information you should be taking into consideration when choosing which locksmith to hire, but it gives you an initial snapshot of each company.
3. Ask Friends and Family for Advice
If any of the people close to you have used a locksmith service in the last few years, ask them what company they chose, what made them decide to pick that company, and whether they were satisfied with the work and the service. If they were happy with the service they received, especially if the work was similar to what you need done, then add that to your research. Even if their experience was a poor one, it will help you weed out companies that will not fit the bill, potentially narrowing down your list of options.
4. Call Your Choices and Feel Them Out
When compiling your initial list, make sure to include each company’s current phone number. Call each company one by one and ask them a basic list of questions. Write down their responses and compare them. See how their services, procedures, and rates compare between the different companies. What forms of locksmith services do they cover: automotive, residential, commercial, emergency? Or all four? What hours do they operate under? How long have they been in business? These are all important questions that can bring you closer to choosing the best locksmith company for your particular problem.
If the company is evasive or not upfront about their answers, that’s a bad sign and you should reconsider using that company. Trust your gut instincts and if a company seems like it’s not on the up and up, avoid using their services. It’s not worth it to have your locks damaged or your credit card bill shot up to try and hire a shady locksmith service that promises extremely low fees.
5. Stay Informed During the Process
Don’t be afraid to ask questions about what services they choose to perform. If they try to encourage you to have additional services done that you don’t need, politely refuse, and if they push the issue further, know that you always have the right to choose another company instead. It’s important not to feel stuck with the first company that you choose in case something goes wrong or you don’t feel like they are the right fit.
If You Need an Emergency Locksmith
If you’re experiencing an emergency lockout from your home, car, or business, you probably don’t have the time or the patience to go through the above steps. In that case, you’ll want to perform a truncated version of this process that is adapted to fit into a short period of time. These steps include:
- Find the top locksmith choices available in your area. Three is a good number.
- Quickly peruse their websites and read any reviews you find.
- Pick a first choice of the one that appears to be the best for your situation and give them a call.
- If you don’t like what they have to say, call the next company. Keep the call short (5-10 minutes) and to the point, and ask direct questions about their lockout services and the cost.
- Choose the locksmith company to come out that feels right.
While this situation may not always work out perfectly, it’s better than going in to hire a locksmith blindly and being taking advantage of in a difficult situation. This process will allow you to make a better selection of the locksmith performing your services, which can prevent damage caused by poorly trained locksmiths.
No matter what lock and key services you need the assistance of a locksmith with, it’s always best to do your due diligence to find the right company for the job. This is especially true if it is a more complex case, such as replacing your commercial lock hardware with keyless security upgrades. By using this process to screen possible locksmiths you are ensuring that you have picked the best choice.