You may have already read our other article titled “3 Critical Questions Before Hiring a Locksmith”, which was a great way to do a quick vetting of a locksmith before hiring them. We know you’re a thorough person, and that you like having confidence in those you hire. So if you’ve got a little more time to investigate your locksmith before dispatching them to fix the problem, we’ve got a few more questions for you to ask them before you hire them.
Don’t be afraid to ask a locksmith plenty of questions before hiring them. Remember, you’re the one hiring them- and trusting them not just to do good work, but with the security of your home, car or business. A good locksmith understands that there are plenty of scammers and inexperienced locksmiths out there, and should be more than willing to answer your questions and provide you with peace of mind.
Are You Licensed and Insured?
Licensure requirements for locksmiths vary from state to state, so if your state doesn’t require a locksmith license, it isn’t really a deal breaker if the person you call doesn’t have one. If your state does require them, however, getting proof of licensure is a great, easy way to determine if your locksmith is the genuine article.
Regardless of how your state handles licensing, any decent locksmith should be insured. Make it a priority to ask about their insurance status, and if they don’t have insurance, reconsider having them send someone. Locksmith insurance protects both you and the locksmith from costly mistakes.
What Are Your Rates?
If the price sounds too good to be true, it probably is. If a locksmith quotes you less than $40 or significantly cheaper than other locksmiths, they are likely going to be scamming you out of more money after they arrive. Even some legitimate locksmiths will quote you a lower price, but have additional fees for things like travel and time of day, so it’s good to get all of the information before they arrive. Make sure you ask about all applicable fees before having someone come out- and then ask again after they’ve had a chance to look at what you are going to have he or she work on.
Do You Have Any Relevant Certifications?
Technology is changing rapidly- and locks are not exempt from this. A good locksmith will keep their education and training up to date, and will be able to provide certification documents to prove it. Seeing how recent their certifications are is a good way to see just how serious they are about their work, and how knowledgeable they are about newer locks.
Do You Have Any Client Referrals?
When you hire someone to work for you, you typically ask for references. Why not ask for the same thing from your locksmith? A good locksmith should be willing to give your referrals from people they work with. Great work usually speaks for itself, so there’s no better indication of a trustworthy locksmith than a happy customer.
The best thing you can do to make sure you’ve got a reliable locksmith is to find one before you need one. If you are in Jacksonville and need a locksmith, consider hiring one of our reliable locksmiths- they’re available 24/7, and are radio dispatched while they’re out in the field, making for shorter response times. Our vans are well outfitted to help with all your security needs. To see a list of services that we offer, click here. To hear from our customers about why they keep choosing us, check out our testimonials page.