No matter how conscious you are of looking after your locks, there will likely come a time in your life when you need an emergency locksmith.
Lock problems can emerge for all manner of reasons, from a lock that has worn out to one that has been damaged by the elements, wear and tear, or even a break-in attempt.
However, when you do need a locksmith, it can be overwhelming to find the right person to hire. Why? There are thousands of locksmiths operating in the UK today.
Unfortunately, many ‘emergency locksmiths’ are not licensed or even properly trained. Many are simply hobbyists or, worse, wolves in sheep’s clothing.
That’s why it’s essential that you hire a reliable emergency locksmith; someone with history, experience, and a proven reputation.
To help you find a quality emergency locksmith service in your area, we asked Lock & Key Leeds – one of the UK’s most reputable and experienced locksmiths – what you should look out for. What attributes are essential?
Emergency Lock Problems: You Cannot Afford to Wait
Phone any traditional locksmith, and they will be happy to give you an appointment in the near future. The near future, though, does not always mean today.
If you hire a locksmith, it’s usually to deal with a problem now; it’s not to give you a quote for lock upgrades, but to replace a broken lock or to get you back inside after a lockout has occurred. These constitute emergencies, don’t they?
As such, waiting is not an option. Emergencies can occur at any time, and can include:
• Losing your keys, meaning you are locked out of your home or business
• Breaking your keys, meaning you need a key-cutting service ASAP
• Lock damage where your locks have snapped or broken otherwise
• Lock jamming, with something stopping the mechanisms from turning
• Attempted or successful break-ins, leaving you with broken locks
• Vandalism and damage to your property's doors or windows
All of these situations require help today, not tomorrow. As such, you need to hire an emergency locksmith as soon as possible. Settling for just any old locksmith, though, will not suffice.
You need a reliable expert; someone who can turn up as soon as possible and get to work on your problem(s). The right locksmith is the difference between a same-day solution and further costs and headaches.
How do you choose, though? What should you look for when choosing an emergency locksmith?
The Key Criteria For Picking An Emergency Locksmith
At first glance, finding the best emergency locksmith service can seem tough. After all, there are so many different options to pick from, aren’t there? That makes selecting a locksmith quite tough.
Our advice and insight from Lock & Key recommend emergency locksmiths that are:
Reputable & Reliable
First, you will need to spend some time reviewing the reviews of any potential emergency locksmith service. Take the time to read reviews and look out for patterns – good and bad.
Every service, even the best service, can have bad days or situations unfold. A few negative reviews should not discount an emergency locksmith from your consideration unless you happen to notice a pattern in the reviews.
Are they frequently late? Do they seem to rush the job? Are they opaque with their answers? Look out for the kind of signs that a locksmith might not be wholly suitable.
Reliability is key, too; in positive reviews, see how often people mention how quickly the locksmith has arrived. A quality emergency locksmith turns up within an hour, or at the very least gives you a clear, accurate timeframe for arrival.
Experience
Never hire a novice – it’s that simple. Your locks are too important to gamble with. So, our advice would be to remove any emergency locksmith from consideration that has less than three years of experience.
Two years and plenty of positive feedback are fine, too, but generally, a locksmith will be found out if they lack quality after a few years of service. 3+ years is a good threshold.
Also, be sure to look for qualifications and accreditations. Master Locksmiths Association (MLA) approved locksmiths, for example, have undergone DBS security checks and are expected to meet certain standards, which are regularly inspected by the MLA.
Genuine Locality
Some emergency locksmiths sell themselves as local but are nothing of the sort. The easiest way to check is to look at where reviews come from and where they are listed on their website and/or social media. Check their phone number, too; if they have a business landline, verify that this landline is in your local area.
Credentials & Services
Make sure that the emergency locksmith provides more than just the basics, too. You want to find a locksmith who offers a range of services, from key cutting and lock repairs/replacements to security upgrades and boarding up in the event of a broken door/window.
Make sure they offer a wide range of services so you can avoid hiring someone who might not be able to fix your issue.
Transparent Pricing
Lastly, any emergency locksmith worth hiring should be clear enough about their pricing. They should have a price list on their website/social media profiles.
Or, at the very least, when you call their number, they should be able to give you an accurate price estimate over the phone for the help you need. Locksmiths who seem to come up with the price on the spot are ones to avoid.
Always Be Prepared: Find An Emergency Locksmith Service Now
The final piece of advice we have comes directly from Lock & Key: save an emergency locksmith in your phone NOW. Do not wait until you need a locksmith, because you might not have internet access when you need to make the call.
Run a search for a local emergency locksmith service in your area, and take a look at their reviews. Use the above criteria to find the perfect choice, so you always know you have a trusted, respected emergency locksmith ready to call when disaster strikes.
Better yet, save more than one locksmith; you never know when your #1 choice might not be available.
Find an emergency locksmith you can trust today: it’s better to be prepared than caught cold after an emergency unfolds.
