Things happen and you never know when you will find yourself locked out of your house, or out and about with a car key that suddenly snaps, and in urgent need of locksmith services. These situations are always stressful and at the moment all most people want is for a professional to get there as soon as possible to help, which is totally understandable.
When it comes to calling a locksmith there are a few questions you should ask before hiring a company to assist you, even if you are in an emergency situation. After all, your locksmith should be the most trustworthy person you hire to help you, as you are putting your safety and the security of your home, business or car in their hands.
So, what do you need to know about a locksmith before working with them? Here is a list of the most important questions to ask any locksmith you are considering hiring.
Do you have a license and insurance?
It is very important to make sure that your locksmith is licensed to work in your area. Ask if the company has insurance because as with any other service person, a locksmith may cause accidental damage to your property while working and you want to be sure that the company will be responsible for any damage they cause.
What services do you provide?
It is very important to know what services your locksmith provides, you don’t want to call a locksmith for an auto emergency only to find out that they only deal with residential locksmithing. Ask about the locksmith’s skills and training and certification. Find out how long your locksmith has been working in the industry and what his expertise is. Do not mention the service you need until you have heard about all the services they provide.
What are your prices?
Trustworthy locksmiths are always happy to tell you their prices, which are usually fixed prices, both for services and for hardware. Most reliable locksmiths will be happy to give you a price estimate as soon as they know what you need. The locksmith might not be able to give you the exact price until he has been and completed the job but he must give you an estimate.
What is your estimated arrival time?
While most locksmiths cannot promise an exact arrival time, and times tend to vary during different hours of the day and night it is important to find out if your locksmith provides quick emergency service.
When are you available?
Many locksmith services are not urgent but it is important to find out if your locksmith works 24/7 so that you know that you can call them in an emergency lockout situation.
We believe that you should always have a list of reputable service people who you can call if you have an emergency. The list should include a locksmith who you have spoken to and have the answers to all the above questions because if you need urgent locksmith services you will not want to start looking for a trustworthy locksmith, you would want to have someone you already know and trust.
So, now is the time to ask around for recommendations, speak to friends and check on the internet, then call your local locksmith and ask these questions, so that if you find yourself in an emergency locksmith situation you will already have someone you trust.
ADI Lock & Key in Sacramento provides a full range of locksmith services to local customers. If you have any further questions please don’t hesitate to give us a call, we’re always available to answer any questions.