Horley Locksmith

Over the years, I’ve learnt from experience that doing your homework is key. No matter what situation you find yourself in. When it comes to needing a locksmith, there are a number of scenarios that I see play out quite often. 

Firstly, the most popular is the one where you walk out the door and forget your keys. Others include you leaving your keys at work or for some reason the door just simply won’t open. We’ve all been there, so please don’t think you’re alone. You instantly panic and do a quick Google search and find what you think is a local locksmith, but this is not always the case and can be a costly mistake.

Websites can appear to show a local company, making you think they are near your property, when in fact you’re going through to a central switchboard which can be located anywhere from Brighton-Bristol, and beyond. They give you the impression they will arrive quickly, but with the distance needed to travel, this can leave you left stranded outside your property for longer than necessary. All adding to the stress of the situation. 

Call centres often sub out work without necessarily performing full checks on their locksmiths or knowing how good a job they’ll do. This is where you can expect unnecessary high charges to cover the call centre costs and the long distance a locksmith has travelled.

To avoid making a costly call in your hour of need, I suggest you do some research ahead of time on a genuinely local locksmith. Check out reviews and more importantly check they are local. Even a new locksmith, if they are good to their word, will have received some positive reviews. This research can be conducted via their Google business profile and their Facebook page so you can see for yourself what previous customers have to say about them.  

Put in a call to them to have a chat if it makes you feel reassured. I certainly wouldn’t take offence to this approach at all. In fact, I’d commend you for it! And my advice would be to find more than one locksmith if you can so you have a backup should the one you really want not be available when you need them. 

Ideally, word of mouth is the best place to start. If a locksmith is recommended, you’re more likely to use them as your friends or family have been pleased with their work. This way you avoid the costly call centre scenario. 

When you’ve decided on which locksmith you like and trust, store their number in your phone. List as “Locksmith” and not the business name as in an emergency it’s easier to go straight to the locksmith listing in your phone. You never know when you’re going to need them, but when you do, you know you can make that call and trust they are going to turn up quickly. 

Always ask for quotes ahead so there are no hidden surprises when the job is complete. A good locksmith will always be able to give you a quote or at least a guide as to the what the cost will be. Any genuine locksmith will discuss pricing with you before any work is carried out as the costs involved can sometimes differ and maybe higher than originally quoted. This gives you the option to proceed with the work required or not.

Locksmiths are not only available for when you’ve locked yourself out. They can help with faulty doors and locks too, so this is the time you need to get that phone number stored in your phone before there is a problem. A faulty lock can cost you time and money, especially if you are on your way to work or if the faulty lock is located on your business premises.

Alarmingly, there is no regulation around the licensing of locksmiths, which means anyone can trade/advertise as a locksmith irrespective of competence, background or motive. Another reason to do your homework and use someone you trust. The more checks you can do on your local locksmith the better. This may include finding out if they are listed with any local business guild or if they’ve received any accreditations. The more reassurance you have, the better. 

From my experience, locksmiths can quickly become your local heroes. 

Follow my three top tips:

1. do your homework;
2. store a local locksmiths number;
3. and pre-empt the worst happening – to avoid any unnecessary stress or delays.