It is becoming an all-too familiar story: the consumer hires who he or she believes to be a locksmith only to discover that the person at the door doesn't have the credentials or the knowhow to perform the work.
[USPRwire, Fri Jan 25 2013] It is becoming an all-too familiar story: the consumer hires who he or she believes to be a locksmith only to discover that the person at the door doesn't have the credentials or the knowhow to perform the work. In California, locksmith licensure is mandatory to be able to practice the trade but most people are unaware of the applicable laws and do not know what questions to ask before hiring a locksmith.
For most, it comes down to a matter of price: the lowest bidder gets the job. But with home invasions on the rise and the risk of theft by break-in reaching epidemic proportions in a sluggish economy, it is more important than ever to be sure of whose hands one places his or her home and possessions.
When hiring a locksmith, especially for larger, more involved projects like surveillance systems and master keying entire homes or buildings, the lowest bidder may also offer the lowest security and void insurance policies when the worst occurs. Santa Monica locksmith company Danlock offers this advice to consumers:
1. Ask to see licenses for any and all contractors before allowing them into your home.
2. Know the history of the business and be certain that their primary service offerings are those common to the locksmith.
3. Research the business via the Better Business Bureau and other sources. You can find a listing of reputable state-licensed locksmiths at lalocksmith.com. A listing of Santa Monica Locksmith shops can be found there.
4. Ask for references.
5. Do not contract for locksmith work with a big-box retailer without first confirming the credentials of the person or persons who will be completing the work. It is not good enough that the supervisor is licensed. Everyone doing the job should have proven skills in the work they are doing.
