If you are looking for a locksmith in the Silver Spring area, there are many options to choose from. The best way to find the right one is by asking questions. Here are some of the most important ones to consider before you make your decision.
1) How long have they been in business?
The longer someone has been around, the more experience they will have with all kinds of situations that can come up while working on your car or home. If it’s just opening and closing doors, then experience may not be as important to you, but if something happens when changing locks or installing security cameras, then you want someone who knows what they’re doing.
2) What kind of guarantees do they offer?
Some services come with a money-back guarantee, while others may offer you a refund if they don’t do the job correctly.
If a locksmith only stands by their work for 30 days, then you should take your business elsewhere even if they are one of the cheapest options. This is because there is no reason why a company that does good work would not guarantee it for more time, which means that if you have problems, they will not be there to help.
Make sure you find out what kind of guarantees your service is willing to give before signing a contract.
3) Can I get a quote on the phone?
Many lower-priced locksmiths will not be able to give you a quote over the phone. They will need to come by your home or place of business to know what kind of repair they can do and how much it costs. A higher-priced locksmith may be able to give you an estimate based on photos alone.
4) Is there a service call?
Some locksmiths require that someone call them for an estimated time that the service person will arrive. If you just want to prepare yourself for when someone comes and the price isn’t a big factor, then this won’t be a problem.
However, if you need to make plans around having someone come to your place of business or home during certain hours, then you may not like the idea of a service call.
5) How long will the service take?
This is especially important if you need to have the locksmith come out during certain hours. A good locksmith should be able to give you an estimate on how long it takes to get from point A to point B without traffic, as well as how long it takes to actually fix your problem.
6) Are they eco-friendly?
A lot of new locksmiths use equipment that is more environmentally friendly than the older methods of getting a job done. If you’re concerned about helping to save the planet, this may be important to you as well as saving money on your utility bills.
7) Do they have insurance?
You might be wondering why this is one of the first things to ask. Lots of locksmiths may say they do, but they can’t prove it. This question will help you find out for sure. With insurance, your liability is limited in case something goes wrong like if someone’s car window is broken during an installation or lock change. Be aware that insurance doesn’t cover damages on your property or injuries sustained to yourself during the service.
If they don’t have insurance, this could mean that any damage while working on your home or car is not their responsibility. You will be responsible if anything happens to the locksmith or his equipment during the job he is doing for you.
8) Can I get a direct line to my service team?
Some companies only allow you to call a number and you will be sent to a call center that then dispatches someone to your location. This can lead to longer wait times or worse, the wrong kind of locksmith being sent your way. If you have a problem with bad service from one of these call centers, it is hard for the locksmith company itself to fix the situation.
9) Can I get a receipt?
If you are paying for the service with a credit card, make sure to ask if they can give you a receipt. Many locksmiths do not offer receipts and will just tell you to pay when someone gets there. This could be an issue if you think the job was overpriced or want proof of the service actually being done.
10) Can I get a list of references?
This is a great way to see what other people thought of the kind of locksmith you want to hire. Ask for names and numbers or emails that you can contact for more information about the services they received from the company in question.
11) Do they have a website?
A reliable locksmith should have a website to let you know about their company and services, as well as prices and contact information. If they don’t have any type of online presence, or if their site does not give enough information for you to make an informed decision, be wary.
12) Do they offer discounts?
Some companies are cheaper because they are newer or have not been in business for very long. However, many established service providers may offer some sort of discount if you use them more than once or refer other potential customers to them.
13) Will I get a written estimate?
This is always important because later on, you can compare their quote with the final bill to make sure there are no discrepancies. In many cases, locksmiths will charge more if they have to come out for another reason other than the one you initially contacted them about (i.e.: lockouts, changing locks, or installing alarms).
14) Are they experienced?
This is hard to determine over the phone but you can get a sense of whether this person has been in business for long if they are required to provide references (see above for how to find out more about these). If the last person who used this locksmith is open with you about their experience, this can also help give you a sense of whether they are good or not.
15) Do they operate during off-hours?
Locksmiths that work outside of normal business hours (i.e.: late at night or on weekends) are important to have on your side because emergencies usually happen at these times. Customers should also be aware that locksmiths sometimes charge more for work done outside of normal business hours (this can vary by state).
16) Do they have an emergency hotline?
Even if you are not in need of an emergency locksmith, it’s good to know who to call if there is ever a situation that requires your locksmith to come out right away.
17) Are they certified with the Better Business Bureau?
The BBB is a great resource for checking on a locksmith before deciding whether to use them or not. Make sure the company provides good customer service and has no complaints with the BBB.
Right On Time Locksmith is available 24/7 to assist you!
The key to getting the best service possible is knowing what questions you need to be answered before choosing a company. Of course, these aren’t the only questions you should be asking, but they are a good place to start.
For more information, call us any time at (301) 798-5333.
