What Factors Influence the Cost of Locksmith Services?

Sooner or later, you'll likely need a locksmith. While it may not be a service you count on regularly if you get locked out of your home or car, you need to replace or rekey a lock, or you need a safe installed, you'll likely call a locksmith.

When the time comes for you to call a Chicago locksmith, it's a good idea to understand what factors will influence the cost of locksmith services. Here are a few factors that will be taken into consideration when determining the cost.

The Actual Service

You may only think of locksmiths helping you get into your car or home when you've been locked out. However, a locksmith provides many other services, such as rekeying locks, replacing doors, key duplication, safe installation, and more.

When you hire a locksmith, the type of service you require will be the starting point for determining the cost. The same amount won't be charged for opening a jammed lock compared to installing a new door or safe in your home. The skills needed, along with the time necessary for the service will help to determine the cost you will pay.

Type of Lock

One of the biggest factors in the cost of locksmith services is the type of lock. A complex lock will take longer to access and may cost more than a simple lock. With the massive selection of locks on the market today, it's necessary for locksmiths to determine the cost of their services based on the time and skill they will need to invest.

Mortise locks, high-security locks, and interchangeable core cylinder locks won't come in at the same cost, as they are all a bit different. Your locksmith will need to know the type of lock they are dealing with before they can provide an estimate of the cost.

Location

When a locksmith comes to your home, your car, or your office, they will charge a specific fee based on how far they have to drive. Some locksmiths have a flat, built-in fee for a specific service area and will charge extra for any job outside of their service area. Hiring a local Chicago locksmith will help keep the cost lower if they don't have to travel as far to get to you.

Time of Day, Day of the Week

Some locksmiths charge an additional fee depending on the time of the day or the day of the week. Usually, this will apply to any emergency services, as simply having a lock installed or rekeyed may be a service you can schedule during regular business hours.

The cost of locksmith services will likely be higher on weekends, holidays, and after business hours. Make sure you ask if there's a fee for requesting services during these times.

Demand or Availability

Locksmiths work on a first-come, first-serve basis. Even though they may set appointments for non-emergency jobs, they won't leave a job because you have an emergency. Choosing a company offering locksmith services compared to an individual locksmith is a good idea.

Not only will you avoid paying extra due to an individual locksmith being in high demand, but you may also receive a faster response. Most locksmith companies have a team of locksmiths, which means if one isn't available, another will likely be available to help you.

When it comes to the cost of locksmith services, it really comes down to the location of the job, the complexity of the job, the skills necessary, the time of day/week, and the availability of the locksmith. Make sure you ask what fees you can expect up-front before you hire a locksmith or you may be surprised by something you didn't expect.

Does Every Locksmith Provide the Same Type of Service?

When you think of a locksmith in Chicago, you probably think of someone to help you get into your house or car when you're locked out. While a locksmith can certainly provide emergency lockout services, they provide much more.

Are all locksmiths created equal? No.

Do they all provide the same services? No.

Can any locksmith get you into your car or home when you're locked out? Yes.

You're not wrong to think a locksmith is there to help in an emergency. However, it's a good idea to understand the many other services provides by a professional locksmith.

Basic Services Locksmiths Provide:

Along with helping you get into your car, home, or office when you're locked out, a locksmith will also:

• Duplicate Keys

• Install Locks

• Replace Locks

• Install Lock Accessories, such as a Latch Guard

• Rekey a Lock

Most locksmiths will provide all of these basic services, along with any other service having to do with a key or a lock.

Additional Services Some Locksmiths Provide

Not all locksmiths provide more than basic services. However, when you choose a locksmith, such as The Professional Locksmith, you can use them for much more than just emergency locksmith services.

Along with the basic services, a good locksmith will also provide:

• Safe Installation

• Security Camera Services

• Intercom Installation and Intercom Repair

• Iron Gate Repair & Security

• Building Management Services

• And More!

Some of these more specialized services allow your locksmith to do more for you. Whether you need a locksmith for commercial or residential needs, the right locksmith will do more for you than just help you get into your car, home or office when you're locked out.

Locksmiths that Specialize

While some locksmiths only work on automobiles, homes, or buildings, others cover everything. There's nothing wrong with a locksmith specializing in providing emergency lockout services or rekeying services. However, you gain many benefits by choosing a locksmith with the ability to do more for you than just help in an emergency.

When you choose a locksmith with the ability to provide multiple services, some of which don't even include a lock, you'll be able to get more done from someone you trust.

It's best to choose a locksmith that knows how to do everything you need. Some locksmiths don't deal with specific types of keys, and they cannot make security recommendations for you. Whether you're running a business or just need help with a lock at home, choosing the right locksmith will make a difference.

Not Sure, Just Ask

When it comes to finding the right locksmith for your needs, even if you don't see the service listed on their website, ask if they provide it. Locksmiths, such as The Professional Locksmith, have the ability to provide several services other locksmiths may not provide. If you ask, you might just find exactly what you're after.

When it comes down to it, the answer to the question, does every locksmith provide the same services, is simply, No! Some locksmiths do more than others and it's a good idea to know what a locksmith can provide before hiring them, especially if you think you'll need more than just a simple service.

When to Call a Professional Locksmith

If you’ve ever been locked out of the house or left your keys in the car, you’ve probably scrambled to call a friend or loved one that you’ve left a spare key with. Did you know that in those situations, you can easily call for help?

There are times when you really should call a professional, especially when you find yourself in an emergency. Sometimes keys break, locks break, or keys get lost. It’s times like these when a professional locksmith can be there to help you out of a stressful situation. 

Call when you’re in an emergency

The most important time to call is if you have a locksmith emergency. You need to pick up the phone right away if you find yourself locked out of your home, car, or office. Other emergencies could be that your key broke in the lock, your lock isn’t working right, or there has been a break-in and you need to change the locks. In the event of an emergency, call a locksmith to help you get back to safety, whether that’s back into your home at night or back into your car on the way to work in the morning.

Call if you’ve just moved in

When you buy a new home or other property, you’re handed over the keys to the new-to-you place. After this exciting moment, it’s time to call the locksmith to get those locks updated and to get you a brand new, shiny key. That’s because the last owner could still have access to your home or vehicle, or other people who have been given a key for any reason could as well.

If you were to move out of an apartment, your landlord would have the locks changed after you, so why shouldn’t you do the same when you take ownership of something? In addition to the last owner having a copy, anyone from a friend to the person who performed an inspection of the property before selling could have been given a copy. Make sure you have new locks and keys, and that only you and anyone you choose can have a copy and access to the property.

For a change of locks, duplicate keys needed or wearing locks

The other times when you’ll definitely want to call a locksmith would be when you simply need a change of locks for any reason, you need to have duplicate keys made, or if you’ve seen signs that your lock is getting old.

For example, couples that split up in divorce or if you’ve left a key at a friend’s house are good examples of times when you may simply need to change your lock, and a professional locksmith can have it done in no time.

If you’ve added to your family and need extra keys made, your locksmith can handle this as well. And after years of wear and tear on your locks, you should update the locks when you notice signs of wear and tear. These are more examples of times to call your locksmith.

Don’t hesitate to call a professional locksmith thinking that your situation isn’t severe enough to call or that you should just rely on a friend; call in situations like these or with any questions that a professional locksmith can answer for you. Your family’s safety is their top priority.

How to Avoid Locksmith Scams

Do you worry about running into a locksmith scam next time you need to call one? You should be worried if you don’t know what to look for. Many people don’t realize that locksmith scams are common and they are easily avoidable by being informed.

This year, it’s important to know what types of scams someone may try on you so that you can notice when something doesn’t feel right. Use these tips, like looking for a licensed locksmith company and inquiring about pricing, to make sure you avoid common locksmith scams next time you need one.

Get a quote and watch for extra charges

One of the ways to avoid a scam is to make sure a company can give you a quote and be transparent about when extra charges may come up.  If possible, compare a few quotes so that you can see which ones are too high and which ones are reasonable.

If a quote does seem a bit high, it could be due to the job. The reason for the high prices is getting a service at your home rather than getting help from a store. You’re paying for the tools, the time, the transportation, the licensing costs, the continued training, and the skill of that professional.

Extra charges may come in to play and it’s important that a locksmith is transparent about that possibility. It’s common to pay for after-hours assistance, extra mileage, or service call minimums. Be sure to ask for a quote and what extras may come into play, since a professional locksmith would be happy to answer your questions about the intended repair.

A scammer would refuse to answer questions or may try to charge you for things unfairly after the job was done without quoting you for it in advance. Scammers also like to tell you the entire lock system needs to be replaced, charging you for a replacement part that is low-quality and unnecessary.

Scammers aren’t local and aren’t licensed

You’ll want to make sure you’re hiring a legitimate locksmith with proper licensing and identification. Look out for companies that are vague on the phone, don’t offer details like the name of the company, their local address, or a website, and use an 800 number rather than a local number that could actually be a call center.

A legitimate locksmith would answer the phone with identification, and be able to provide proof of their licensure and ID in person or online. In many states, it’s illegal to advertise these services without proper credentials. You can trust a locksmith that arrives in a company car rather than an unmarked car and actually asks for your ID to make sure you are unlocking a home or car that really belongs to you.

Look for these guys if you want quality, professional locksmith services!

Other Red Flags

There are certain details that you may feel uneasy about that are likely red flags to steer clear of this company. Did they answer the phone “locksmith services” instead of mentioning their company name? Are they able to provide ID or did they arrive in an unmarked car? If they insist on cash only, it’s their way of avoiding having you dispute the charge later when you realize this is a scam.

Did they insist on drilling out the lock and insisting on a replacement rather than bringing the proper tools to unlock the door? Are you struggling to find their address on their website or on google? Look for red flags such as these that may tell you to call someone else.

Use this guide to make sure you are working with legitimate locksmiths and avoiding any of the common scams that have fooled so many in recent years.

Most Common Locksmith Scams for 2017

When you hire a locksmith, the last thing you are thinking about is if you are going to be scammed by a company. Your thoughts are all about getting the job done, getting you out of a bad situation when you’ve lost your keys, or getting set up in a new home where you are moving in. For someone that has been trying to get home from traveling and is arriving exhausted and hungry, the worst thing that can happen is to try to open the door with a suitcase in tow just to find that your keys are missing.

Calling a locksmith is supposed to be a solution to these stressful, unexpected situations, which makes locksmith scams one of the worst feelings imaginable. Take a look at how you can protect your home, your family, and your wallet from these common locksmith scams that you may run into this year.

Identity theft

You already worry about identity theft every time you swipe your credit card or have to submit personal information, but do you also have to worry about when working with a locksmith? Watch out for this scam this year when it comes to locksmiths because now customers can be deceived into giving out personal information that can be sold or used by a criminal later.

Companies may do a great a job and charge an appropriate price, but after the service, they may sell your personal information. Look for a reputable locksmith with great reviews and verify their license before hiring them for the job.

Getting overcharged

Did you find a locksmith charging especially low prices as a one-time special? When you find a locksmith with unbelievably low rates, it’s a good sign that you may end up in a bait and switch situation. What happens is that a locksmith will attract new customers with a really low rate, and by the end of providing service, the price will have increased to 400 or 500% more than the original quote.

While the job got done and you are back in your home safe and sound, you are going to end up overpaying a company that you specifically chose for that low price. Don’t fall for a low price scam, and be willing to pay a reasonable price with a company that quotes you appropriately from the start.

New handle needed

Watch out this year for locksmiths that pull this trick on you. Some locksmiths will try to tell you that the only way to get into your home is that they will have to break the handle or wrench it off, when in fact, it wasn’t necessary. Then, you’ll end up overpaying for the services and the replacement when it wasn’t even needed.

You may fall for this trick and pay for the work and the parts that weren’t needed and not realize until later that you could have avoided the whole ordeal with the right locksmith. You should never have to deal with a locksmith that arrives with incorrect tools for the job, like a drill, rather than the standard tension wrench and lever pick. Look for a reputable locksmith that won’t suggest outlandish methods of getting back into your home.

Only accepting cash

Along with the scam of overpaying, you may run into a locksmith that demands a cash only payment. They are really scammers who arrive posing as locksmiths, do the job to “fix” the lock, and then ask for cash only rather than another form of payment. This is a good sign that it’s a scam because the scammer doesn’t have to worry about you disputing the charge later or realizing they aren’t a licensed and legit company.

Make sure to ask a locksmith a few questions before hiring them, such as a price estimate, how they plan to get into the house, where they are located, and whether they would need to use a drill or what could cause the price to vary. These questions will help you avoid being scammed this year when you need a locksmith during a stressful situation.

Call the very reputable The Professional Locksmiths for all your Chicago Locksmith needs!