Have you ever hired a seemingly professional locksmith only to end up with a poor lock installation or lock repair failure? Or are you antsy about hiring one because it will be your first time to consult with a locksmith?
Whichever it is, you need to know how to differentiate real locksmith experts from the fakes. To do so, you must know which key questions to ask before you hire them.
To help you find a professional and reliable locksmith, we’ll go over some of the most important questions you need to ask.
1. Are they licensed and insured?
First and foremost, you need to verify if they have proper licenses and insurance. If they have both of these, any errors they make or possible damage to your property as a consequence of their work will be covered under insurance.
You should also know that not all locations require locksmiths to be licensed. Despite that, we still advise seeking licensed options.
You’ll feel more comfortable and at ease with them if you know that they’ve complied with set standards, you see.
Also, in Singapore, it’s required for every service provider to register their business with ACRA in order to operate. That means you should check if the locksmith service is a registered business before deciding to engage their services.
2. What skills and services do they provide?
Do they have the skills and tools that you need for your specific door problem? Some locksmiths have their own specialities, so you must also ask them about the services that they offer.
If you’ve gotten locked out from your car, for instance, then you need an auto locksmith who specialises in car locks. You may also need to see if they cater to emergency services if you need someone who can immediately respond to your request.
For another example, let’s say you’re doing a full-house or apartment renovation and want a locksmith to handle security for windows, doors, and the like. In such a case, you’d have to ask the locksmith if they’re capable of working with others.
That’s because, according to the contractors we talked to at Renovation Contractor Singapore, not every locksmith is willing to collaborate with contractors for big or complex projects. Hence, you need to consider even the flexibility of the locksmith for certain assignments.
3. Do they use non-destructive methods for entry?
When you can’t access your car or your home, breaking the lock isn’t the only solution that you have. That’s why it’s important to ask if they can use non-destructive methods for entry.
In this way, you can be sure that the existing lock isn’t unnecessarily damaged. This includes lock picking — and professional locksmiths must be familiar with basic lock picking techniques.
4. Can they give an accurate quote?
The offered rate is one of the main factors that people consider when looking for a locksmith. However, going for the one with the cheapest service isn’t always the smartest decision.
So, don’t forget to check if they truly provide quality workmanship and reasonable cost.
After sharing your lock concerns, be sure to ask for a quote so you can have a total cost estimate before the work begins.
Keep in mind that the rates vary depending on the hourly charges and some locksmiths may include additional fees. So, you also need to make sure that they offer transparent pricing.
5. Do they offer a warranty?
Warranty duration and after sales services vary by locksmith. It’s advisable to ask directly about their offered warranty and services.
During the warranty period, they must still monitor the condition of their work and guarantee that there won’t be any further problems.
Workmanship and customer satisfaction must be their top priorities. If you’re consulting with a locksmith that doesn’t focus on those things, then you might need to look for other options.
As you ask these questions, make sure to weigh your options fairly and don’t settle for anything less than you believe you deserve. Quality work will last longer and cost you less in the long run, so take your time finding the most credible locksmith.
