When people find themselves in need of a locksmith, the situation is usually urgent, which doesn’t allow for a lot of time to shop around. Most clients looking for a locksmith in Melbourne do so while stranded outside of their homes, businesses or cars and are all too happy to accept the first bid from the first person who promises to come to their aide. However, this can be a costly mistake.
Not all locksmiths are created equal. Some lack not only the experience to deal with certain sensitive situations, but also the credentials and licensing needed to conduct their business as well. When you do not take the time to thoroughly vet a locksmith, you could run into all kinds of problems and find yourself without recourse to fall back on.
Don’t worry. TopLock Locksmiths can help you with that, too. We’re going to show you a few things you should look for in a locksmith before deciding to employ their services.
Licensing/Bonding/Insurance
The first thing you should know about a locksmith company before you hire them is whether they are licensed, bonded and insured to be operating their business. Don’t be afraid to ask for their licensing number and insurance information and don’t be afraid to verify it. A valid license means they have followed the correct protocols for operating a business and were found reputable. A valid insurance policy means you and your property will be protected against damages incurred by the company while performing their service.
References
It’s always a good idea to deal with a locksmith company that someone you know has dealt with before. Ask around and see if anyone can refer you to a reputable company. Only trust the opinions and recommendations of a neutral third party. Otherwise, it could be a paid reference employed by the company to drum up business. On the other hand, bad feedback is just as helpful as good feedback. If many different people have had bad experiences with the same company, consider it a red warning flag and move on to the next one on the list.
Expanded Services and Hidden Fees
Of course, the more involved a locksmith job is, the more its going to cost. However, there are many other variables that you should be aware of before deciding to hire a locksmith. Two of the most common fee hikes stem from a locksmith traveling outside of their normal service area and answering service calls after hours or on holidays. If you’re traveling and need a locksmith in Melbourne or any other city, choose one that’s located within the city where the services are needed. The farther they travel, the more the call is going to cost. Don’t forget to ask when their ‘normal hours’ end and their ’emergency service hours’ begin to avoid any surprises on your bill.
The best advice about choosing a locksmith would be to choose one before you need them. That way you give yourself time to compare prices and services of various companies and to gather as much information about them as you can. Keeping this information handy in case of a locksmith emergency alleviates the stress (and possibly the extra cost) of having to choose one on the spot.
