A locksmith is more than a professional, he can really be a life saver. You will already know this if you have been late for work and locked out of your car. If you have a quality locksmith on side, you’ll never be left in the cold, so check out the tips below on how to select a good tradesman.

Try to target a locksmith that is part of a community of locksmith professionals. While it’s not required, knowing that they keep current with technology and trends is reassuring. You also want to know that your locksmith company has been around for a long while.

If you have just moved into a new place, you should call a locksmith and have them change the locks right away. Even if the former owners seem trustworthy, you don’t want someone walking around with keys to your home. The price of a lock is small compared to the need for safety for you and your family.

If you are locked out of your car and you have AAA, call them and ask for a tow to a locksmith. Many times locksmiths charge you a bundle because they have to get to where you are. This is a great way to gain access to your vehicle for a lot less money.

If you get locked out of your vehicle, make sure that the locksmith doesn’t block your car in when he gets there. Unscrupulous people will do this in order to get more money from you. Never pay them anything. The best thing to do would be to take note of their license plate and call the police.

Before allowing a locksmith to get down to business in your home, make sure he or she gives you some kind of estimate first. If you know them well, trust a handshake. If not, be sure and get it in writing. Doing this before the work is completed means knowing what to expect in terms of financial obligation.

When you are looking to have a locksmith install a new lock, ask them to use one that has high security. These cost a bit more, but they will keep you a lot safer than traditional locks. You need to show an ID card as well as a card provided by the locksmith in order to have duplicate keys made.

Contact your local Better Business Bureau to ensure that there are no complaints lodged against your locksmith. The BBB will have records of any complains along with what the locksmith done to try to remedy any complaints filed. A reputable locksmith may have one or two complaints filed against him; however, if numerous complaints are recorded, look elsewhere.

You should always receive an estimate in writing before you have any work done with a locksmith. This will let you know how much their services will cost, and ensure that you do not pay more than the stated upfront cost. You do not need a surprise when it comes time to pay.

When you call the locksmith, ask him for a couple of phone numbers belonging to his most recent clients. Talk to a few people to determine their experience with the locksmith. This will not take as long as you think it will, and the extra few minutes you spend will be well worth it if you are able to get someone reputable out to your location.

Before agreeing to hire a locksmith, ask for a written estimate of the charges for the service. Be sure that any additional fees, such as emergency fees, are included. Find out whether the service charges extra for mileage or for weekends. If the on-site price is different from the estimate, call a different service.

If a locksmith insists on drilling out your lock, send him on his way. An expert locksmith can break into any lock and give you a new key.

To ensure the locksmith you are considering isn’t a scammer, look their phone number up on an online directory. Check to see that the address on file for the number matches the one you see listed on their website or business card. If they don’t, don’t hire that locksmith!


When you need to find a good locksmith, plan on driving around a lot. Rather than simply relying on the information you might get over the phone, visit their businesses in person. This will give you a better feel for the level of professionalism you are dealing with and should get all of your questions answered completely.

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.

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.

A good practice is to provide a tip for locksmith services. In an emergency, this is even more true. A general visit deserves 15%, and 20% can be given for after-hours visits.

Before you hire a locksmith, ask them about any additional fees you may face. While their low cost of replacing a lock may seem great, those fees can turn it into an expensive venture. There may be a charge for coming to do the work quickly, the time of day it is or even mileage.

Don’t narrow your list down to just one locksmith. The person you consider the best may be busy on another job when you need them in an emergency. If you have some other options you consider trustworthy, you’ll be able to bring in someone right when you need them the most.

As was discussed in the opening paragraph of this article, locksmiths provide many crucial services. From creating duplicate sets of keys to installing secure locks in your home, the work of a locksmith is essential for homeowners. Apply the helpful locksmith advice from this article the next time you face a locksmith problem.