Keys to Finding a Good Locksmith

CRISIS!


Your house keys have been stolen or lost, or your home has been burgled.

DON’T BE VICTIMIZED A SECOND TIME, BY AN UNSCRUPLOUS LOCKSMITH—alas, it does happen, I hear about it with some frequency. Since you’re reading this post you probably have a reputable locksmith’s information in your personal phone book, just as you do a dentist, painter or car mechanic.

If that isn’t the case and you need to find a locksmith quickly, here are some suggestions:

BEWARE:

• of calling the first business that pops up on page one of an internet search

• of phone numbers on the web with 800 or 866 prefixes – they often go directly to out-of-state “call centers” and are then referred to someone local. This frequently results in problems with quotes that are not honored, followed by inadequate dispute resolution.

TRY THIS:

• Do you know a realtor or professional property manager you can call for a referral? (They tend to be a good source for all sorts of home improvement professionals.)

• How about a friend who can refer you to someone who provided them with a satisfactory experience?

• Or a neighborhood hardware store – another good source for local professionals.

• Perhaps a subscription-style referral/rating service like the HomeOwners Club in Seattle or Angie’s List can be helpful – situations in which someone else has ‘vetted’ the service for you.



ASK QUESTIONS:

• Will the locksmith meet you and provide a free estimate for the work?

• Is the locksmith clear about all charges?

• Licensed and bonded in Washington? Have a business license posted in their vehicle? (This is required in Washington State.)

• Will he/she provide a specific guarantee for the work?

• Is the business licensed through Washington’s L&I (Labor & Industry) Department (required of anyone doing locksmith work in Washington)?

• Does this person belong to a professional organization such as Northwest Locksmith Association (NWLA) or Associated Locksmiths of America (ALOA)?

• FINALLY, and most importantly, is this person someone you feel comfortable having in your house? If the answer is “no”, listen to your intuition, and take the time to keep searching!