A locksmith is one of those people you really don’t give much thought to, unless you are faced with an emergency situation. Unfortunately, if you wait until a crisis, you could end up paying through the nose. Avoid this and other locksmith catastrophes by reading the following helpful tips and tricks.

When a locksmith comes to help you, always ask to see their ID. In some states, the locksmith has to have a license as well, like in California, North Carolina, New Jersey and Texas. Do your research ahead of time so you know what documentation your locksmith needs to have.

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 have doubts about a locksmith’s reputation, research with the BBB. This can help you identify any person trying to scam you. Also, ALOA.org is another great organization that you can check to verify any locksmith you wish to use.

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.

Prior to allowing a locksmith to come into your home, obtain several references. Once you have them, give each a call. You need the best quality services and a person that you can completely trust.

When you talk to any locksmith for the very first time, inquire as to how long they personally have been in the trade. Make sure that they’ve also been operating from the same location. Chances are that a business that has been operating successfully for at least 5 years in one location is reputable.

Do not trust a locksmith that gives you a quote that is far less than any others you have contacted. In some cases, this is done with the intention of reeling you in. Once they begin to service you, they will start to add on additional fees for things like paperwork and the fuel they used to get to where you are.

After a locksmith has changed the keys or locks in your home, try them yourself before he leaves. While his work is no doubt top-notch, new keys and locks can be tricky. Make sure you can figure out the knack or get his advice on how to break them in, so that you’re not frustrated about it later.

Once you have hired a locksmith to come out and help you with home locks, ask them if they can give you a safety assessment. Most locksmiths do not mind walking around your property and letting you know what, if any, security measures need to be made to keep your home secure.

Be prepared and find a locksmith before you require their services. If you wait until an emergency arises, such as being locked out of your home or car, your choices will be severely limited. Additionally, if you wait until an emergency arises, you may hire someone who isn’t reputable.

While you may want to get a great deal on services from a locksmith, the last thing to get is a service from someone not charging a competitive rate. Those who charge low prices may not have the qualifications necessary to charge more. Get multiple estimates, throw out the high and the low number, and choose one of the mid-range quotes.


The law states that all locksmiths are required to carry a pocket-sized version of their license on them. If you ask the locksmith who comes to help you for theirs and they don’t have it, send them away. You cannot trust the quality of their work if they are unlicensed.

If you have a really bad experience with a locksmith, be sure to contact the Federal Trade Commission. They will not pursue a refund for you, but they may take action against the company if they receive many complaints. This is one way really bad companies can be shut down for good.

If you are in the market for a locksmith, you should always do research before hiring one. Find out about a potential locksmith’s experience, insurance, license and references. If anything about them seems off base, you should definitely look for someone else. It is a lot better to err on the side of caution in this case since your security is at risk.

Ask around to find out who people you trust use for their locksmithing needs. If they don’t have any recommendations, check with service rating websites such as Angie’s List. You can also ask construction companies to find out who they use, or even local security companies as they may know someone good.

Don’t sign any blank forms which authorize work being done! This just opens you up to being fleeced for all you are worth. If you receive an estimate, try to get it in writing. If they arrive and say that the job is going to cost significantly more, send them on their way.

Look for a locksmith who offers emergency services. You can get locked out at the most inopportune times, so you need someone that can help you in all situations. Inquire as to the locksmith’s rates for such services too. There will be additional fees, so it’s best to get the sticker shock over with before you call.

You are letting in people that can pick locks easily. If your instincts tell you no then call a different locksmith. This will help you to stay as safe as possible throughout the process.

Call your local law enforcement agencies to see if there are any locksmiths in town who have received complaints. Complaints about locksmiths generally go through the police department and are public record. If you find that there are a lot of complaints, you should hire someone else to get you the help you need.

An emergency is not the time to find your locksmith. Use the valuable information in this article to go about hiring a locksmith in the right way and at the right time. These tips and tricks will end up saving you a lot of money and a lot of trouble. Put them to good use!