Your locks, key fobs, and electronic access cards are critical to the security of your home or business. The people and companies you trust to repair them have to be qualified and experienced professionals. You want them to have a good reputation and a solid track record of performance.
How do you increase the odds of selecting those people when you know nothing about locksmithing? There are some things you’re going to want to look out for.
A “Real World” Address
These days, it’s very easy to set up a website and advertise business services. Anyone could do it. When you encounter a locksmithing business online that appears to have all the “right” credentials, check to see if they have a street address.
This way, if you encounter an issue, there is a physical location to visit to lodge a complaint or to have legal letters delivered.
Fraudulent businesses tend to operate almost exclusively online because they wish to avoid this kind of accountability.
Positive Reviews
The Internet has made it very easy to identify bad actors in every industry through reviews. Consumer sites like Angi’s List, ConsumerReports and Choice help you choose peer-reviewed companies.
You can see which companies have consistently delighted customers and which ones failed to do so. From there, it becomes a simple choice of matching your needs to the companies with the best ratings.
Certification
The next thing you want to look for is certification. The Associated Locksmiths of America is the recognized body for granting qualifications. Find out if the company you are considering is registered with them, if their staff hold certificates, and in what areas.
Make sure that your locksmith is licensed as well. Legitimate locksmiths are happy to answer any questions about their license. Any locksmith being evasive about their background, qualifications or certification should be avoided.
You want to ensure that the company you eventually hire can handle the job you need them to do. The ALOA also provides a list of locksmiths on its website.
Consider the Services You Need
Along with certification, you also have to know what locksmithing service you need. Now that there are electronic locks, smart locks, keypad locks, remote operated locks in addition to the traditional physical lock, locksmiths need specialized training to service them.
What kind of locks are on your property? Is the company you’re considering hiring qualified to handle that kind of lock? On further examination, you may find that you need a rekeying, lock repair, or even replacement. Every company has its specialty or group of specialties. You won’t know which to hire unless you consider your needs.
Budget
You wouldn’t purchase anything without checking whether you could pay for it. It’s the same with locksmith services. Each company has its range of specialties and associated price ranges.
Do your research. With a bit of legwork, you can find companies with the services that you want and align that with what you are willing to pay.
Additionally, don’t just pick the first locksmith service with a price that matches your pocket. Shop around.
Making the Choice
Great relationships take time to build. Applying these principles will set you on the right path to building a great one with your locksmithing company.
If you’d like to find out about our services, please check out our website https://southbeachlocksmiths.com/ to see how we can start that great relationship with you.