Locksmith Pro shares tips on how to find a Legit Locksmith

Today, it’s very difficult to find a locksmith that you can fully trust to finish the job right and protect your privacy in the process. Unfortunately, there are many so-called “experts” out there who will either do a poor job installing, replacing or fixing your lock (leaving your property vulnerable to potential intruders) or charge you way more than they should for the service they provided.

In addition, there is always the question of security when it comes to letting a random stranger tamper with your locks, and you need to make sure that person is trustworthy and even police cleared. Given that there is so much false advertising when it comes to locksmiths, you need to take certain steps to verify the legitimacy of the company you’re about to hire.

For example, even though there are different lock brands out there that may be more complicated to service than others, if you have a simple issue such as a home or car lockout and a locksmith tells you they’ll need to drill and replace your lock, think about getting a second opinion. Legitimate locksmiths have been trained to solve lock issues to the best interest of the customer, not to do extra work on a simple problem just so they can charge more.

In addition to getting a reasonable quote and estimate, you should always do a bit of a background check on the company you’re about to call. You can do this with a simple Google search. By doing so, you’ll be able to see what their rating is and verify if there are any severe accusations against them. However, be realistic in your expectations and remember that there are very few businesses out there with no disgruntled customers.

Last but not least, once your locksmith arrives at your property, ask them to see whether they’re insured and licensed. A legit locksmith will never do a job without having the proper documentation. Also, if they give you authorization forms or other documents to sign, make sure you read them to the letter before you sign. As an extra precaution, pay attention to whether they will ask you for ID before starting the job. No legitimate locksmith will ever tamper with a property’s locks unless they have authorization of the owner.

It’s always better to be safe than sorry, and taking the basic precautions when hiring a locksmith is highly recommended. A simple Google search can tell you a lot about a company, and once you’ve found a locksmith you trust, save their contact information for the future. You never know when you might need them again.

Disclaimer: The views, suggestions and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No Forbes India journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.