Different Kinds of Locksmith Services

The job of a locksmith is no longer restricted to just picking locks or duplicating keys. Today, professional locksmiths offer a variety of services, which are often accessible through service providers. These services are not varied through their specific use, but their applications also go across different industries. From home and car protection up to industrial security, there is a corresponding locksmith service that will be of great help to any individual. Below are some of the common types of locksmith service that are being offered today.

Domestic Security

Some of the most common services offered by locksmiths involve residential work. Improving domestic security is among the main thrusts of locksmith service providers, as many of their clients are homeowners. In this type of locksmith service, the main objective is to keep a house safe from potential intruders by strategically installing effective locks on gates, doors, and even windows. Locksmiths can also install an entire locking system throughout a property. This often includes the installation of special locks on garages and other similar home additions. There are also advanced security services that can be requested from certain providers. For example, the installation of a safe or a vault in a room is a possibility. For more progressive providers, the building of an efficient panic room can be an option. Other than installing a home security system, locksmiths can also provide basic services such as key duplication, key cutting, and lock picking.

Commercial Services

As mentioned, locksmiths are now involved in bigger projects concerning security. Many locksmith service providers are now offering security system installations to small offices, schools, shops, and even large corporations. In essence, a comprehensive commercial locksmith service works for any institution, building, or property, regardless of size and coverage. For these commercial services, professional locksmiths typically provide complex security systems, which involve security cameras and other advanced tools. The system for commercial properties can also be modified to establish different clearance levels among all members of the institution or the company. For this, the usual security features include biometric- or fingerprint-based locks.

Car Protection

Automobile locksmiths are some of the rarest kind, although they do have a special edge. This is because being an automobile locksmith is rather challenging, as different car brands and models have their own complicated lock mechanisms that a locksmith then needs to learn. The most common services provided by automobile locksmiths are the unlocking of cars and the replacement of lost ignition keys.

Emergency Services

In events where a locksmith is most needed, there is always the option to call a locksmith company that offers emergency services. Today, most service providers allow call-in requests for a locksmith service, so that troubled individuals can easily seek expert help during dire situations. So when people lose their keys or unfortunately lock themselves out of their car, they can make a quick phone call and wait for a locksmith to rescue them. An emergency locksmith service also works best for property owners who are victimized by burglary because these people will naturally need to change their lock system immediately.

Posted By: DPW Lock Services http://dpwlockservices.com

What Makes a Good Locksmith?

Finding yourself locked out of your home or car is not a pleasant experience. But it is something that happens more often than most people would like. Now, when this happens, the first thought is to look for a locksmith. Usually, it is a good idea to find a good locksmith before the need for their services arises. But truth be told, many people do not think that they will ever need a locksmith in the near future. So, how do you decide which locksmith to call in under ten minutes? What are the qualities that distinguish a good locksmith?

Availability

A good locksmith is available 24 hours a day, because lock emergencies tend to happen at the worst of times. So if you make a call to the locksmith and the phone is answered by his machine, hang up and move on to another locksmith.

Locality

It is not enough for a locksmith to be available 24 hours a day if they will require hours to get to your place. As such, it is a good idea to restrict your search for a locksmith to your locality. If the locksmith will take say, more than 30 minutes to get to you, you might want to go for one who is nearer to you.

Insurance

Locksmiths get access to the most precious assets of a person, including their safes and the houses and cars. If something goes wrong while a locksmith is working on your locks, you need to have the assurance that such a loss or damage will be covered. Therefore only go for those locksmiths that come with insurance.

Word of mouth

In certain fields, word of mouth is highly critical. And that is the case with locksmiths. Should a friend or family member tell you to be wary of a certain locksmith- pay attention. If online reviews about a particular locksmith point towards disappointment, proceed with caution.

Options

There are different ways to deal with different situations involving locks. If you constantly lose your keys, your locksmith should be in a position to offer you options that eliminate this problem. For instance, they might recommend installing a biometric locking system. Do not settle for a locksmith whose idea of fixing a problem is unlocking and/or replacing locks. That is just not enough.

Rapport

It is always advisable to get a locksmith with whom you can easily build a rapport. After all, you want to build a relationship with them so you can call on them whenever something goes wrong. A locksmith should be professional, personable and friendly. If you feel that you cannot get along or trust a particular locksmith, do not force a relationship.

And of course, a locksmith needs to have the right kind of training, licensing and certification. One does not wake up and decide that they will be picking and fixing locks for a living. There is training to be undergone and licensing to be obtained. So ask for this as well.

If your locksmith meets all the criteria on the checklist, it is time to put their number on your speed dial. 

Posted by: DPW Lock Services http://dpwlockservices.com

Tips for Finding a Reliable Locksmith

Locks provide security to our houses, cars and other property. Unfortunately, if you ever find yourself locked out of your car or home, you’ll wish locks never existed. Usually, people think of finding locksmiths at the very last minute, when they are locked out of their houses, business premises and even cars. If you can, the best way to finding a reliable locksmith is to get started on the search before you actually need one. Either way, there are some things you need to keep in mind when looking for a locksmith you can trust.

Location

One of the first things you need to check when choosing a locksmith is whether they are localized. If you choose a locksmith who is located far away, it only means that you will have to wait longer before they can get to you. Also, keep in mind that a far-located locksmith might charge you for travelling, and this is going to be an additional cost.

Licensing and identification

It is important that you ask a locksmith for their license before you get any work done. Also, ask them for identification to ensure that the name appearing on the license is the same one on the identification. You must not allow anybody to work on your locks before making sure they are who they say they are. Also, an insured locksmith is much better than an uninsured one.

After-hours charges

Most locksmiths will charge higher for services rendered after hours. It is common to require locksmith services after hours, since many lock emergencies happen unexpectedly anyway. For this reason, you must make sure to compare after-hour charges to determine who has the best prices. However, keep in mind that choosing a locksmith based only on their charges is unwise.

Work approach

Avoid locksmiths whose first instinct is to replace your locks, when a simple repair would do. It is a red flag if the locksmith is insistent on replacing your locks, even when you only want them to repair a small component of the lock. This is an indication that they are only after your money or they are not really skilled and experienced in offering locksmith services.

Get referrals

Family and friends offer invaluable input as far as recommending tradesmen you can trust is concerned. Ask around to find out which locksmith has built the reputation of being reliable. You could even check local review pages and sites to see what other people have to say about your local locksmiths.

Be prepared

Do not wait to start looking for locksmiths when you desperately need one. Most things done out of desperation do not yield good results. Find three or more reputable locksmiths, and then keep their numbers safely, for that day when you really need one. Or you could even go online and bookmark a page that contains a list of localized locksmiths. This way you’ll know that if you ever find yourself locked out of your car or home, you’ll have someone dependable to call.

Posted by: DPW Lock Services http://dpwlockservices.com

What You Need to Know About Lock Services

You’ve had a long day at work and are happy to be heading out of the office. You cannot wait to get home. You get to your car in the parking lot, only to realize you have misplaced your keys. Or maybe you are already home and cannot find the keys to your house. What to do? Getting locked out of your home or car is frustrating, especially when you do not have a spare set of keys (and you should) or if the spare keys cannot be delivered on time. Usually, in such circumstances, the first thing you will think of doing is calling a local locksmith.

You may not have the time to research a locksmith when you need one, but you could always find one in advance and keep their number just in case. Doing online research and talking to your friends and family is a great way to learn more about the locksmiths in your area.

Because the locksmith will be working on your property, it is important that you ensure it is protected. You will do this by making sure the locksmith is licensed, insured and bonded. If any damages occur when the locksmith is working on your property, the insurance company of the locksmith will pay for the losses. Using an uninsured locksmith means taking full responsibility for any damages that may occur during the repairs. Also, if possible, make sure you’re present when they are working on your property.

Lastly, you should always understand the pricing system of the locksmith before you give them the go-ahead to do the job for you. The prices may be different depending on the type of lock at hand, but you should get a general estimate so you know how much you should expect to pay. Usually locksmiths will charge you a fee just to come out to give an exact quote, and it is important to be aware of this.

Whether you have lost your key or wish to change your locks to restrict access to unauthorized persons such as a former employee, a local locksmith will offer these services to you. Experience in providing locksmith services to businesses, homeowners and car owners guarantees the company you’re working with can be relied on.

There are numerous services a seasoned locksmith should offer, including re-keying of locks, creation and maintenance of master-key systems, installation and replacement of locks, installation and replacement of commercial door closers and pivots, installation of high security locks and restricted key systems and even duplication of keys. It does not matter if you have been locked out of your car, or want to get a safe installed in your bedroom; they should be able to help you.

If something that involves locks and security needs to be installed or maintained, you no longer have to scurry around looking for the Yellow Pages. Such emergencies do not leave a lot of time for research anyway. It is always better to be prepared in advance.

The Importance of Hiring a Reputable Locksmith

Have you ever tried to fix a lock yourself? Many people are tempted to transform every other problem in the house into a DIY project. What they don’t know is that, if they happen to do it wrong, they are likely to end up incurring even more costs. That said, locksmith services should be left to experts. Trying to fix your own locks can end up in disaster.

Professional locksmiths are usually available 24 hours a day so you don’t have any excuse when something goes wrong in the middle of the night. You just have to identify a locksmith in your area you can trust and contact them whenever you need the service. Some of them take less than half an hour to respond so you don’t have to be left stranded in case you locked yourself out of your home.

There are so many eventualities that are likely to arise that will make you require the services of a locksmith. You may lock yourself out of your house or your car keys may get stuck early morning when you want to drive off to work. You need to identify a locksmith who can help you solve all manner of issues that involve locks. Whether you want new locks installed in your apartment or a set of keys to be removed from the ignition of your car, a reliable locksmith should offer this service in a timely and efficient manner. Hire a locksmith who handles automobile call outs so that you can rely on their service when you get stuck.

Locksmiths are also very important if you have a commercial property and you need someone to install high security locks to protect your business. They come with experience to recommend the best quality locks for your business. Even if you simply want the locks to be installed on your filing cabinets, a locksmith can provide this service.

With the rise in insecurity in most parts of the country, you must take the initiative to upgrade your home by investing in high quality locks that will keep criminals away. To do this, simply hire a locksmith who will provide an estimate of the new security system including the locks that will be required to upgrade your home’s security. The estimate should include their labor costs. You can always contact two or three locksmiths and compare their quotes before making a final decision.

Most importantly, make sure the locksmiths you are considering are reputable and qualified for the job. Don’t rush into hiring someone because they offered an incredibly low price. Get as much information about the locksmith as you can so that you can make a decision based on facts. You should even contact some of the customers who have dealt with the locksmiths before to find out what their experience was. Take your time to find the best locksmith and you’ll have nothing to regret. Once you found a reputable locksmith, have their number at all times because you may need it when you least expect.

Posted By: DPW Lock Services http://dpwlockservices.com

Looking for a Lock Change

Locksmiths are available in cities and they come to offer their services on demand. Now they have even become mobile and they have networks set up in different places. You can call their toll-free number and they will make themselves available at your door steps. You need to have an understanding of the services being provided since they can give you more services when you demand the same. They offer you services which are similar wherever you are put up.

On an average you may know the repair services being provided, lock changing and key making. Key making is done by copying the existing key that you give them. This is where you need to interact with them and understand what other additional services you can obtain from them. Lock repair is cheaper than changing locks. Instead of obtaining hardware that is new you can repair the existing one. This will be a great idea since replacing your hardware will definitely cost you heavily.

You can choose the hardware that you tend to purchase from the product catalog shown in locksmith`s website. Your vendor is the most experienced person who can definitely help you in choosing the efficient hardware that suits your doors too. Their suggestion plays a vital role in ensuring both security and economy. You need not spend expensive hardware for a home that is average. This vendor not only suggests the most suitable one for your doors but also would suggest hardware that you need to avoid.

As you saw to making new keys that resemble your existing one, this is more efficient than going in for a new lock. When you re-key your lock it is as same as having obtained a new lock or changing the existing one. Now your old lock gets opened with the new key.

You can go through the instructions as below:

1. Unscrew and remove the old lock
2. Remove the screws for the plate from the edge of the door
3. Place the new lock on the edge of the door
4. Screw this lock at appropriate places
5. You can again put the screws to make the plate get attached to the door
6. You can screw the lock cylinder from both inside and outside portions to fit the alignment properly
7. You have to ensure that bolt plate at the door`s edge is flush mounted against the wood`s surface.
8. Finally test your door lock from both inside and outside for its proper assembly.

Rob Hargreaves - An American Locksmith working for mr-locks.com, a leading locksmith company in New York. For any locksmith, lockout and lock installation services with relevant information, call Mr-Locks now.

Posted By: DPW Lock Services http://DPWlock.com

5 Things Your Locksmith Should Tell You

The locksmiths play a fundamental role in the society. They are the professionals who will help you get into your house when you misplace the keys and also help with the replacement of locks. It does not matter whether you forgot the combination of your safe or you locked your car keys in, a locksmith will help. The important thing, however, is to hire someone you can trust.

The number of professionals in the locksmith business has increased. Some are out to make money while others genuinely want to help you. Considering you will be inviting them to your home and entrusting them with your locks, you have to be vigilant prior to hiring. The important areas to focus on when choosing a locksmith are their experience, reputation, certification and cost. Away from that, let us look at some of the things your locksmith may not be telling you.

1.     A properly installed deadbolt is the best lock

Most people trust the dead bolts. What they fail to understand is that how well the lock is installed will determine whether your house is secure enough or not. A properly installed deadbolt will have a 1 inch ‘throw’ as well as a security plate that comes with screw on the ‘strike side’. Needless to say, the door frame must also be strong enough.

2.     Remove the window that is near or on the door

If you plan on installing a thumb-turn dead bolt, then the first thing you have to make sure is that there is no window near the door. Burglars usually break the glass then stick a hand in to unlock the door. If you really need a window, it is best to install a double cylinder lock that is only opened with a key, from the inside.

3.     Think twice before buying a used safe at the flea market or auction

It is possible to get a good quality safe at the flea market, auction or estate sale. The first thing you should make sure of before bidding is that the safe’s combination is available. More often than not, when there is no combination available, it will cost you an excess of $300 to get the safe opened. Chances of finding treasure in locked safes today are zero. If you are thinking of buying a safe for what is in it, don’t buy it.

4. Always replace the locks of your new house

Having the locks rekeyed is highly recommended once you buy a new house. If you don’t, there is probably a master key that can be used to open all the locks with ease. Hire a locksmith to rekey all the locks.

5.     ‘Do no duplicate’ keys are always duplicated

The fact that a key has been stamped as ‘Do not duplicate’ does not mean it can’t be duplicated. If you want a high-security lock, ask your locksmith for locks that come with keys that cannot be replicated.

The more questions you ask, the more you will learn about the locksmith and the better the services you will get. Do not hold questions back.

Posted By: DPW Lock  http://dpwlockservices.com