Paying a professional locksmith to handle your locks at your home or business can be expensive. At some future point in your life you will find yourself having lock troubles that you will need fixed fast and cheaply. To learn some basic advice about locksmithing, continue reading the following article.

To protect your safety when hiring a locksmith, be sure to check the locksmith’s identification before allowing him or her to enter your home. Several states, including Texas, Illinois, California, Alabama, Louisiana, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee and New Jersey, require locksmiths to be professionally licensed. Ask to see your locksmith’s license.

Be wary of a locksmith that quotes one price and then raises it once he arrives. This is a common scam that has been used to get extra money on many unsuspecting consumers. If the quotes are different, tell the locksmith that his services are no longer needed.

Always get a receipt. Most locksmiths are trustworthy, but there are those who try to cheat other. So make sure that you have a receipt that says you have paid in full. Make sure you store your receipt somewhere secure in the event that a payment issue pops up later.

Do not hesitate to call a locksmith in the event you need duplicate keys for your vehicle. Most auto dealers will give you the idea that they are the only ones authorized to do this. They say this in order to guarantee you will hire them in your time of need.

When you call a locksmith company, inquire as to how potential employees are vetted by the administration. It is always good to hear that technicians went through a criminal background check prior to being hired. This should provide you with some peace of mind that the technician that comes out to your location is only there to help you.

In most states, locksmiths are required to have insurance. Ask to see proof of any policies before they start doing any work. You want to make sure that you are covered in case they do a shoddy job and someone gains unauthorized access to your home. Do not allow a low price to make you overlook this.


Get an ID from the locksmith before you make an appointment. While you’re on the phone with them, let them know that they will need to show you proper identification before they can enter your home. Most good professionals wear uniforms as well, but at minimum a valid ID should be presented.

Program the number of your locksmith into your cell phone so you can have it with you at all times. You don’t want to end up stuck away from home with no way to access a good locksmith. Make sure you talk to them about whether or not the rates will be different if you are stuck on the road.

Get references before allowing a locksmith in your home. After this is done, you should take it a step further and give them a call. Because this person will have access to your belongings and family, you want to ensure that your trust is not misplaced.

Although saving money is always a goal, do not hire a locksmith whose price seems to good to be true. This could indicate the individual is not that qualified. It’s always a good idea to get as many quotes as possible and only consider those in the middle of the range.

Check the BBB website before you hire a locksmith to come and service your home or auto. This is an extra step that may take a bit of time, but it can save you from a bad experience. If you see evidence of a lot of complaints, you should definitely consider someone else.

Check the license of any locksmith who comes to your home. Be sure to verify that they are the person listed on the license. Some unsavory types will share one license between everyone in the company, hoping no one will check it. You know better, so check it against their photo ID.

When you encounter a situation that requires the services of a locksmith, but you are unsure where to turn, it always pays to seek personal recommendations. Ask a friend in town or maybe your next door neighbor to see if there is a locksmith from whom they have received great service. In this way, you will have full confidence in the professional you select.

Do not try to be a DIY locksmith. You can easily damage your doors or locks by working on them yourself. Locksmiths are trained professionals who know how to safely work on your locks and doors. It’s well worth the cost of hiring a locksmith to avoid potential damage to your property. So, when you find yourself locked out or needing a spare key or any sort of help with your locks, contact an established and professional locksmith.

A good locksmith should be able to do more than just change a lock on your door. If you have been the victim of a burglary, they should be able to change the locks on your windows as well. Sometimes, they may be able to assist with the alarm system.


Protect yourself against being locked out by making extra keys and hiding them where you can easily get them. Calling a locksmith can be expensive as well as inconvenient, so planning ahead is the best way to avoid the situation. Do find and store numbers of trustworthy locksmiths in your cellphone just in case.

Before moving forward with a locksmith, make sure you check the person’s I.D. You want to make sure the person who arrived is the correct person you spoke with on the phone. This is for your own security. Plus, there are quite a few states that require licensing for locksmiths. You can be doubly safe and request to see that as well.

Once you have a list of possible locksmiths ready, start contacting them. You could begin with an email sent to each with questions you would like answered. Once you choose the answers you prefer, you can meet with them in person to get a feeling for who they are and what they know.

Locksmiths may not loom large in your mind, but they can be very important. With any luck, this article had great locksmith information. Remember these tips because problems with keys and locks will make it hard for you to get inside your house.