Questions You Should Ask Before Hiring a Locksmith

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Questions You Should Ask Before Hiring a Locksmith

March 20, 2021 | Admin

If you’re the type of person who wants to ensure that their property’s security is at its prime, then it is important that you find a locksmith with a proven track record of satisfied clients, and top-of-the-line services, such as the ones here at Lion Lock N Key.

Whether your locks require routine maintenance or replacements, it is always in your best interests to seek the expertise of a team of highly trained and skilled locksmiths with the experience required to safely, quickly, and affordably handle all of your lock and key concerns.

 

With the number of options available in the market, though, it can be challenging to distinguish who the real experts are from the fakes who are just looking for people to bamboozle. However, with a little due diligence, it’s not an impossible task to find a reliable professional locksmith you can count on to get the job done with utmost ease and precision. Not getting taken advantage of is often as simple as asking the most important questions before hiring someone to do the job.

While trying to locate a reliable locksmith, here are a few questions you should make sure and ask.

1. Are you licensed and certified?

The little known truth by the general population is that not all states demand locksmiths to be qualified to offer locksmith services. Don’t simply presume that a locksmith has all the paperwork you need to do the job you’re looking for effectively. Adequate certification and protection also ensures that if anything goes wrong when changing locks, such as damage to the door or injuries to the technician, both will be covered under insurance guidelines.

It is also imperative to find a locksmith technician that is certified. Someone with certification can show that they have taken the classes and training required that ensures that they are up to speed with the latest technologies and practices concerning locksmithing.

2. Are your prices affordable?

Depending on the locksmith you choose, their prices can, and sometimes do, vary a lot. Some will charge for an hour, while others may charge a flat fee. Be sure you ask about any undisclosed costs that might not be reported until after the work is finished. The choice on who to recruit for the job at hand always boils down to how much it costs. With that being said, though, going with the “cheapest” contractor isn’t the wisest choice. Make sure to always do your homework and find a provider that is “fair” priced and well-rated in the area that you live in.

3. What services do you provide?

Find out whether they provide emergency assistance or locksmiths specialized in particular types of locks. Finding a smith who delivers emergency assistance ensures that you will be able to contact them 24/7. If you have an emergency where you can’t get into your vehicle or house, you may need someone who can answer your call immediately.

You will also want to ensure that your locksmith is well versed in servicing all of the locksmithing concerns you have. If you have an automotive locksmith problem, you would want an automotive smith who specializes in these kinds of locks.

4. Is it more practical to rekey my locks, or replace them all together?

In most cases, it would be generally easier to rekey a lock. This method does not take a professional locksmith a long time to do it. There are “key pins” that your smith will reset to keep the old key from operating in the lock. This is also a common option if you want only one key to open all the exterior doors of your house.

There are cases where changing the locks will be the more cost-effective option in comparison to rekeying. One example is that if you don’t have a key to the lock, you need the lock to be rekeyed. In this scenario, the locksmith would have to pick a lock before deciding to rekey it. In fact, this could cause more charges than merely changing the locks would cost.

5. Should you change all your locks when you buy a home?

As long as you have one of the original keys for your own home, it is possible to rekey the locks over having to replace the entire lock itself. It is a generally good idea though to either replace or rekey all the locks when you move into a new home. You never know how many copies of the original key were made by your previous owners, or who may still have access to one of these keys. Once a professional locksmith rekey your lock, then the original key will no longer work with the new combination.

6. What can a locksmith do if you become locked out of your home?

A competent locksmith will pick up a lock and get you back to your house. There would be a charge for their support, but the expense of each emergency call is different. Be sure you find an expert locksmith who can take the time to help you obtain entry without digging into your doorknob. Any locksmiths who don’t have enough expertise will only speak to you about getting a new lock and drill through the one you currently have, which could be more costly.

7. Are smart locks a better way to go?

Smart locks are usually keyless and allow an owner to enter your home with the use of a key fob. If your locksmith is pushing you to replace your traditional locks with a smart lock, then there are a few things that you have to know before pushing through with the decision. It is possible to hack into a smart lock. It’s very safe, but there have been isolated cases of hacking reported in the smart locks. It is also imperative to know that some smart locks require stable Wi-Fi connections to work.

If you’re alone, though, then the chances of having someone you trust around in a lockout are very slim, and you should invest in a steering wheel lock. This ensures that you have an extra layer of security if ever you have to leave your car unattended. Are you in need of a professional locksmith? Just give Lion Lock & Key a ring at 972-972-9354, and we will be more than happy to assist you!

Consult with us for free . No registration needed.

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Location

3806 Old Parker Rd Suite D

Wylie , TX 75098

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Phone : 972-972-9354

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MON-FRI 08:00AM – 11:00PM

SAT-SUN 08:00AM – 11:00PM

LION LOCK & KEY

Lion Lock & Key is a full-service local locksmith company serving Wylie, Texas and other nearby cities. Since 2021, our team provides fast and reliable residential, commercial, and auto locksmith services. Lion Lock & Key staff consists of licensed and bonded locksmiths, exclusively.