If you've ever locked yourself out of your home or car before, you know just how stressful the experience can be.
Do you break a window? Try to barge down the front door?
A skilled locksmith can gain access to your home or vehicle without causing any damage. And although these services don't come cheap, they're fast, easy, and less expensive than repairing a broken window or door.
If you do find yourself in the unenviable situation of needing an emergency locksmith, the last thing you want to do is frantically flip through your phone, as you search for a company. You'll also likely pay too much for slow and substandard service. Instead, take just a few minutes out of your day to identify a local and reputable locksmith in advance with these 5 simple tips. That way, you can ensure you'll be well prepared should an emergency situation arise.
Go with a Local Operator
If you get locked out and have to stand around until help gets there, the last thing you want is to contract a service that takes hours to arrive. Filter your search down to a locksmith within a half hour or so, from your home and office. In more rural areas, you might have to extend that timeframe a little.
Insist on Experience
A good locksmith knows their stuff and has years of experience. Opt for a provider that has performed hundreds of emergency call-outs and thousands of break-in repairs and key replacements. Longevity is a good indication of quality, so go for a locksmith who's been in the business a couple of decades or more.
Furthermore, any local locksmith worth their salt is a member of the Australian and New Zealand Locksmiths Association.
Verify the Reputation of the Locksmith
Like any other service provider, not all locksmiths are created equal. And the last thing you want is to receive shoddy workmanship or get stuck with an extortionate bill. But how can you tell who's hot and who's not?
Your first point of call should be your immediate social network. If you can think of any friends, family, or colleagues who've had to use a locksmith before, get in touch and ask them about their experience. Did they arrive quickly? Were their charges reasonable?
Personal contacts have no vested interests in pushing you towards a particular provider, which means they're a reliable source of information. You'll also need to source feedback from reviews on the internet, which - to put it bluntly - are a bit of a minefield.
The issue is that unscrupulous locksmiths may fake damning reviews for their competitors and glowing reviews for themselves. Furthermore, customers can sometimes exaggerate their negative experiences. Nevertheless, there's often no other alternative, so use your best judgment to determine legitimate feedback.
Look for Value for Money
A cheap locksmith might do a shoddy job, while a premium provider isn't necessarily worth the extra expense. What you really want is value for money.
If a locksmith offers proven experience and credentials at a reasonable rate, then they're likely a better option than the cheapest guy in town. Call the best businesses in your area and ask for a quote on various services.
Insist on a 24/7 Service
Most lockout situations occur at the most inopportune times, typically in the early hours of the morning or late in the night. You'll never know when you may need a car locksmith!
Would you be able to get by without access to your car or home until regular office hours resume? Probably not, which means you need access to a 24/7 emergency call out service. Granted, you'll pay more for the privilege, but the convenience it affords is worth it in the long run.
By keeping these tips in mind, you'll already have the contact details of a reliable locksmith in your phone, should you need one in a jiffy. Furthermore, you'll know who to contact when the time comes to change your locks as well.