No matter how careful you are, the time will likely come when you will inadvertently lock yourself out of your home. When that happens, you’ll probably be in a hurry to hire the first available locksmith you can pull up on your phone.
As tempting as it may be to call the first name on the list or the one offering bargain-basement prices, there is a more important factor to consider—is the locksmith you’re contacting a licensed professional? You might be surprised at the number of unethical people lurking online, passing themselves off as licensed locksmiths, and waiting for the opportunity to take advantage of you during a stressful experience.
You may be asking yourself, is licensing really that important? The short answer to that question is a resounding yes. But there are good reasons why you should seek out a licensed locksmith when you find yourself in need, and we’re sharing our top 3 with you today.
1 – They have been trained by experts
You may be tempted to call that guy you’ve heard about…you know, the guy who’s a friend of your best friend’s boyfriend? The one who says he can pop any lock for $10 and a pizza? While it’s nice to try to give work to friends of friends, the truth is an untrained “locksmith” can do more harm than good, forcing you to replace your entire lock and, in some instances, causing costly damage to the door frame.
Professional locksmiths go through extensive training to earn their license and are highly educated on the right (and safe) way to gain entry to a home. They have experience with a wide variety of locks and are up to date on the latest technology and equipment necessary to get you into your home without damaging your door or frame.
2 – They are insured
That friend of a friend you considered hiring is most certainly uninsured…which means you will be on your own when his sub-par equipment or lack of knowledge ends up causing damage to your property. He might let you keep your money and pizza, but chances are slim he’ll reimburse you for your trouble.
Licensed locksmiths, however, carry insurance to cover any damage caused while they are working on your locks.
Pro tip: When calling locksmiths, always ask for their license number and confirm they are insured. Any reputable locksmith will be happy to provide the information. If they hesitate or are reluctant to provide their license number, move on to the next name on your list.
3 – They are available when you need them
Wouldn’t it be grand if we only got locked out of our homes in the middle of a sunny, spring day? Unfortunately, many people find themselves locked out late at night or during inclement weather, so it’s important to know that the locksmith you plan to hire will be available when you need them.
Most licensed locksmiths are available 24/7 (though some charge more for late-night calls) and can get you safely into your home within minutes of their arrival.
Bonus: Know who you will call before you need them
Do yourself a favour and research licensed locksmiths in your area before you need one. It’s much easier to make the calls and document responses when you aren’t in a panic standing outside your door at 2 a.m. Find a locksmith who is licensed, insured, and available 24/7…then plug that name and number in as a contact on your phone. When you do get locked out, you’ll have the name of a fully vetted locksmith at the ready.