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.

Always get keys made by a locksmith that is close to your home. Sometimes keys are not calibrated correctly and they will not fit the lock in question. Going to someone too far means there will be a hassle if you have to take the keys back. Aim for a place that is a mile or two from where you live.

To find a locksmith that performs quality work, always attempt to get recommendations from family and friends. Chances are, someone you know has locked themselves out of their car or their home. In addition, research any locksmith you are considering on the Better Business Bureau’s website to help ensure they are legitimate.

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.

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.

The best way to find the most reliable locksmith is usually word of mouth. When you need one, start asking your friends and family who they trust. From there, check with the local BBB or other agency that will provide information about reputations. Don’t just trust anyone with the keys to your home!

Most locksmiths are aware of how to pick a lock and help you gain access to your home. If you are told that the entire lock needs to be replaced, you should see this as a warning sign. This costs significantly more than picking the lock, which is the reason some locksmiths will say it is necessary.

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.

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.

If you are looking for a good locksmith, you should ask friends, family and co-workers for recommendations. This is a service that many people use, so it is likely that someone can lead you to the right place. If not, you can try finding someone on a legitimate review site.

Don’t be afraid to do a little comparison shopping when you need a locksmith for your family. While trust and reliability are mainly the most important qualities to look for in a locksmith, you shouldn’t end up being charged a fortune either. Look when you don’t need one and get your money’s worth.

A burglar generally tries both the windows and the doors of the home in an attempt to get in. If both kinds of locks have been affected, find a locksmith that can deal with that. They might also be able to service your alarm system.

The next time you are in need of a new lock for your residence, buy one from your local locksmith. They may cost a little more than the ones that you can find at home improvement stores, but the quality is a lot higher. Don’t worry too much about the cost when your safety is at stake.

Steer clear of any locksmith who simply uses a generic name for his or her services. Look for a reputable company with a brand name attached. Those generic companies are more likely to be scams, so its best to avoid them all together. Plus, it helps you narrow down the best choice in your area.

One easy way to determine if a locksmith is local or not is to ask how long it will take for them to get to where you are. You can pretend to be locked out if you are just doing research. If they say more than an hour or so, they’re likely not local.

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.


Call your local law enforcement agencies to see if there are any locksmiths in town who have received complaints. They may be provided to you for free or you may need to pay for a police search. If there are complaints, you probably want a different company.

Don’t assume the price they quoted you on the phone is going to be the price you’ll be charged at the time of service. Prices can legitimately change once the locksmith arrives to appraise the situation. Beware of scammers though if the on-site price is hiked up way over the original quote.

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.

Of course, reading this article has been a great use of your time. That said, if you don’t make use of this advice, that time will have been wasted. Get down to work and find the locksmith you need today or might need in the future by utilizing what you have learned from this article.