Locksmiths are people who repair or make locks and they are usually highly skilled technicians.
Locksmiths play an important role in our lives. As the population in cities like London increases, crime rates are soaring too, especially burglaries and theft.
This makes locksmith services indispensable to ordinary people and modern life. In fact, there is hardly anyone these days who has not had to call upon a locksmith at one time or another.
A locksmith can help you secure your home or business from unauthorised entry, safeguard your possessions and help you get back into your property if you are ever locked out.
In most cases, a professional locksmith will be able to open locks, remove broken or jammed keys and repair locks and fittings without damaging your doors and windows.
Locksmiths can be hired by ordinary individuals as well as by businesses. There is usually no difference in the quality of service they deliver, but the nature of the work for domestic customers is usually more straightforward.
Let’s take a look at the differences between the two types of locksmith services.
Residential Locksmiths
If you are using a locksmith for residential purposes you can expect them to provide a range of services such as opening locked doors or making a duplicate set of keys for a lock.
They can also perform other tasks like resetting combination locks, unlocking vehicles, opening jammed locks and preparing safes etc. This is specialised work and not every locksmith can do this, so be sure to ask first.
Home Security
Locksmiths can also provide guidance about home security and advise you on how to best maintain the security of your windows, doors, locks and safes. If you are thinking of stepping up security in and around your home by getting CCTV alarms and cameras fitted, talk to your locksmith first.
A good locksmith will possess additional skills such as carpentry and have an expert knowledge of security installations. They will usually be able to offer more competitive prices than a specialist security company.
Different Types Of Locks
There are different types of locks and safes available on the market, from simple to complex. Locksmiths use different kinds of equipment like nail hammers, spinners, electrical drills, and key decoders.
They also often carry branded locks and keys with them for the most popular makes so they don’t have to make multiple trips.
This is why it’s handy to keep the number of an emergency locksmith in your phone because they will probably be able to help you out in an emergency situation at short notice.
Commercial Locksmiths
Small businesses often require specialised locksmith services that involve more sophisticated locks and equipment.
In such cases, you must check that your locksmith can perform specialist services and that they have the right tools and equipment to ensure the security of your business.
Professional Locksmith Services
As a customer you should ensure that the locksmith you employ offers professional locksmith services.
By this we mean checking that they are fully trained and a member of a professional body.
You want to be confident that the locksmith is well trained, skilled and capable of doing the job you’ve asked them to do.
It might seem obvious but there are locksmiths out there who claim to be proficient locksmiths but they don’t actually know what they are doing. You must avoid such individuals because by giving them access to your home you could be putting yourself and your family at risk.
Today’s locks and security installations are more sophisticated than ever. They require qualified, trained locksmiths who are up to date with the latest technology and procedures and who offer a wide range of locksmith services.
A good locksmith is reliable, trustworthy and be able to provide personal ID as well as references from clients. He or she should also be registered with a trade body.
If you have any reservations about the locksmith you are using or the locksmith services they claim to provide, trust your gut! Replace them with someone who is completely qualified and trustworthy.