It happens when you least expect it, and seems to occur at the worst possible times; locking yourself out of your home or vehicle. When you find yourself in this situation it can obviously be a big headache, with a fair amount of hassle thrown in for good measure. This hassle can easily be multiplied when you have locked yourself out during the night, or on a holiday. In order to make getting back into your home as easy and hassle-free as possible, it is crucial to choose a 24 hour locksmith company before you are in need of service. By vetting a company before you are in need of their services you will be able to find the best professional to take care of your needs. As a customer, you will also be able to find out the exact pricing that a specific 24 hour locksmith company charges, allowing you to choose a locksmith based on a realistic final cost amount.
Ask Your 24 Hour Locksmith the Right Questions
As mentioned above, finding the right locksmith company to use when you are locked out comes down to properly vetting the company before going to them for service. This means that you must ask any applicable questions that could affect the way that a 24 hour locksmith completes service for you. It may take calling to several companies to find a professional that you are comfortable with. However, this time is well spent and can help you to avoid a headache in the future.
Hours of Availability
The first task in the process of finding the best 24 hour locksmith for you, is first ensuring the company’s 24 hour availability. Does the company have technicians who are completing service in the middle of the night, or do they keep emergency locksmiths on call? If a locksmith is on-call it can increase the wait time that you would normally experience since the locksmith is not already in the field. Ensuring that the 24 hour locksmith is going to be able to assist you on holidays is also important. While the company may claim to offer service 24/7, they may not have locksmiths available during major holidays.
24 Hour Pricing
When saving the number of a locksmith into your phone for future use, it is also wise to get price quotes for your specific service. This can help customers to avoid becoming another victim of “bait and switch” tactics. When calling for locksmith pricing information it is crucial to ask for the price of service for both regular business hours and after-hours service. Some 24 hour locksmiths charge more during the night and weekends so, as a customer, it is important to know this beforehand.
Have your locksmith of choice saved to your phone for quick access in emergency situations.
Assure Professional Quality Service
Another important question to ask when vetting a 24 hour locksmith company is to ask whether overnight and weekend service is completed by a licensed professional or an apprentice in training. Some unscrupulous locksmiths may offer 24 hour service, but overnight and weekend service is completed by their training apprentices and not their licensed professionals. Having an apprentice complete service is obviously a concern for customers who want to ensure that no damage is done to their lock during the emergency opening process.
Additional 24 Hour Locksmith Services
The most common reason for needing a 24 hour locksmith is for the completion of an emergency unlock, however there is much more that a locksmith company can offer you. A full service 24 hour locksmith company will not only be able to offer you emergency unlock service, but many other helpful services. If you have lost your car keys and are in need of a replacement, some mobile locksmiths will be able to complete this service 24/7. This can be beneficial since it can get your vehicle back out on the road hours, or days, earlier than you would have been able to otherwise. Additional services that a 24 hour locksmith can provide you include lock repair, lock replacement and re-keying. All three of these services can be useful in the case that your home or business is broken into during the night or on a weekend. By having your locks returned to functioning order as soon as possible, customers can avoid additional loss that can occur when security is down.
When it comes to choosing a 24 hour locksmith company, the main concern of customers should be to choose a company that they feel they are able to trust. With the right combination of availability, pricing and services, customers can trust that the locksmith company they are choosing will be there to provide emergency service exactly when they are in need of it.