Welp MagazineFinding a problem with your locks can be a hassle, especially if you don’t know any trustworthy locksmith who can fix it as soon as possible. If this happens, you must start searching for one immediately, as you need to ensure you stay safe no matter what.
You can get a locksmith to perform many services, such as routine maintenance, repair, or even fixing an emergency lockout. Still, if you don’t want to compromise your safety, you must pick the right locksmith company and make sure its workers have enough knowledge and experience to provide a high-quality and seamless job for a fair price.
It is likely for you to find several unqualified locksmith companies that scam people who don’t know better and make them pay for overpriced services they will never deliver. If you don’t want to fall for this trap, we advise you to continue reading this article that explains everything you need to consider when hiring a commercial locksmith company.
Be Clear About the Locksmith Services You Need
Some commercial locksmith companies specialize in a specific service. Therefore, you must be clear about what you need to find experts who can perform an impeccable job. Some common services you may need are the following.
- Installing new locks on your property, which can be either mechanical or electronic.
- Changing your locks or rekeying your current ones.
- Repairing broken locks.
- Duplicating or creating copies of your current keys.
- Creating new key fobs and electronic access cards.
- Installing high-security commercial locks and military-grade doors for extra security.
- Fixing biometric and keyless control systems.
- Aiding people in accidental lockout situations.
Find out Who Can Provide the Service
The next thing you must do is thorough online research to find professional locksmiths in your area and get to know which services they specialize in. This will help you narrow down your options and compare prices to get the best possible rates.
You can call them for a free consultation or visit their websites to find out more about each company and whether they can help you or not. If you don’t need an emergency service, you can take your time to schedule a meeting with the company or contractor.
Ask Which Locksmith Providers Are Insurance Covered
Most people have homeowner’s or business insurance policies, which tend to cover the cost of repairing locks and emergency lockouts. If this isn’t the case, they probably offer discounts depending on the locksmith company in your area.
Some associations also offer discounts for these services. Therefore, you must choose a company covered by these discounts and talk with your insurance carrier to educate yourself on the steps that need to be followed.
Get an Estimate for the Cost of the Services
Once you choose a commercial locksmith company, the best thing to do is get an estimate for your services to determine whether they fall within your budget or not. You must also consider all potential coverage or discounts you may get and speak about it with the customer service team to make sure it is reflected in the written estimate.
This estimate includes all the costs you have to pay, and you must always keep a written copy of this for your safety.
Request to See Credentials
Some states don’t require locksmiths to be licensed to offer their services, but it is always much better to find a licensed locksmith, as this will give you peace of mind and ensure a much better and professional job. If your locksmith has any license, it means they went through professional certification and have no criminal background.
You can also request the locksmith’s business card, which should connect them directly with the commercial locksmith company you hired. This will show you that they’re legitimate locksmiths, which is why you must request it before they start performing any job. If the company and the locksmith are reliable, there shouldn’t be any problem with this step.
Pay Attention to the Documentation
Once the locksmith shows up at your property to offer their services, you must confirm the price you’ll pay before they start doing anything. Please avoid paying for the service before they confirm the price, as this is a strategy that some scammers use to get extra money out of you.
If they ask to see your ID and fill out a form that authorizes them to perform services on your property, it is an excellent sign that you’re dealing with a professional locksmith. They should confirm you’re the person they’ve been talking to on the phone and the property’s legitimate owner before they start working.
You will be asked for some personal information, but please read the fine print before signing any document.
Get an Invoice for the Locksmith Services
Once the locksmith has finished doing their job, you must get a copy of the invoice stating the final price of all the services performed on your property and a detailed description of everything that happened. Some things that need to be listed would be the costs of the services they provided, the price of the labor time, and the extra emergency pricing if it were a lockout case.
This is a crucial step because you may need to submit this invoice to your insurance company for them to reimburse the money you spent.
The Bottom Line: Contact a Reliable Locksmith Today!
Hiring a reliable commercial locksmith company shouldn’t be taken lightly, as several scammers out there wish to take advantage of people in their area. You must also be aware of middlemen who are likely to offer overpriced services.
After reading this guide, you know everything you need to make sure you hire the best possible locksmith company for your specific needs and get fantastic rates in the process.
If this article was useful to you, we highly encourage you to read the rest of our page and learn more about similar subjects.
