How to Avoid An Expensive Locksmith in London

Anyone can find themselves in an emergency lockout. Many need lock maintenance and repair on a regular basis. However, it can be easy to pay more than is necessary for the job, leading to further stress and frustration. Here are 6 concrete steps to ensure you hire a reliable locksmith who won’t leave you out of pocket.

1. AVOID HIGHLIGHTED GOOGLE ADS

Google charges such locksmiths in return for top listings. You will see them highlighted in green after hitting the search button. The locksmith will then pass such a charge onto yourself, making your bill higher than necessary.

2. CONSIDER LOCAL LOCKSMITHS

Locksmiths from further afield may incur additional charges for travel costs. To this end, it makes financial sense to consider local locksmiths first. You could search these firms via Google Maps, or refine your web search by only selecting local websites.

3. CHECK CREDENTIALS

This is a must. Locks can require future maintenance, and you want to be sure someone is held accountable in the event of a fault. Do take time to check reviews. Filter for the 1-star reviews to gain a clear indication of why the clients were unsatisfied. If many people have raised the same complaint, avoid that firm. Ideally, you want a firm that has only around 1-4 poor reviews out of around 75.

4.GET AS MUCH INFORMATION ON PRICE BEFOREHAND

Don’t be put off if a locksmith asks for more information over the phone. A good locksmith will ask several questions about your situation in order to give an accurate estimate. On the other hand, a poor locksmith would give an immediate price without informing you of how this could increase.

5. DRILLS ARE EXPENSIVE

A good locksmith will assess your situation carefully and try all non-destructive methods before using a drill. This is because drilling naturally incurs greater costs. So be on the lookout for locksmiths who want to drill within the first 5 minutes, as they will increase your overall bill.

6 PURCHASING A LOCK ISN’T MANDATORY

When changing your locks as a last resort on an emergency lockout, it isn’t mandatory to purchase the lock. Check what a locksmith is selling online. To give you a clear indication of costs: a rim cylinder should cost £20-£30. A Euro cylinder should cost between £45-£60. If you require a British standard lock, this should cost between £90-£100. If you require a deadlock or a night latch, this should cost between £60- £90.

There’s no substitute for doing your research before hiring a locksmith. Following these tips should ensure minimal distress, even in the middle of an emergency.

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