The world has moved on somewhat from traditional lock and keys with smart locks and electronic keycards and other forms of entry and security being utilized. That doesn’t stop the old problem of getting locked out from your home from being a common occurrence. If you have ever found yourself in that situation, you will know how frustrating, irritating, and stressful it can be. For those scenarios and so much more, it pays to have a professional and reputable locksmith that you can turn to, especially if it’s an emergency.
Given the variety of services they offer. From the replacement of old locks and installation of new locks to recovering broken or jammed keys and making duplicate copies to installing window locks and alarm systems, having a locksmith you can trust is crucial to ensuring your home is as secure as possible.
How do you choose one though, as there are so many locksmiths operating nowadays? There are several important questions you need to ask when you are obtaining quotes from locksmiths you are interested in hiring.
Are They Fully Certified?
When you plan on placing trust in a professional locksmith to secure your home, you want to know that they are legally qualified to carry out their work. Don’t be afraid to ask about a locksmith’s certifications and qualifications, therefore. If they did not have the appropriate certifications, they could be some amateur who could potentially cause a lot of damage to your home, rather than helping to protect it.
How Much Experience Do They Have?
Just as important as finding out if they have the appropriate certification and qualifications is finding out how much practical experience they have. They may have only recently qualified and although they may be able simple tasks, they may not be able to handle more complicated jobs.
Have They Had a Background Check Carried Out?
Along with the level of experience they have and whether they are fully certified, you will want to ensure that anyone working on the security of your property has had a background check. This is now a legal must for many states. One of the easiest ways to find this out is by asking whether they are an Associated Locksmiths of America member. That organization requires all locksmiths interested in becoming members to undergo background checks first.
What Are Their Rates?
Although price should never be used as the main factor for choosing a professional locksmith in South Florida, or anywhere else, it is still important to consider how much they charge for their services. What you will find is that there is a huge amount of variety between locksmiths in terms of what their rates are and how these are billed.
Some, for instance, offer their services with by the hour rates, while other firms have a flat fee. As well as the main charges, you need to also check how transparent they are with their prices. Are there any hidden or additional surcharges?
While you will obviously be trying to save money where you can, you mustn’t be tempted by bargain-basement prices that seem too good to be true. If a locksmith is undercharging most of its competitors, you should start to question why. Cheapest rarely equates to better.
Do They Offer 24/7 Emergency Callouts?
For the reasons we stated at the outset, it is a good idea to make sure that the locksmith you choose offers 24/7 emergency callouts. The last thing you want is to find a professional that you can trust, but who only works at certain times of the day – i.e. normal business hours.