5 Helpful Tips to Consider When Choosing a Reliable Locksmith

Hiring a reliable locksmith Singapore service can be a challenging task, and is usually one that only comes to mind when you are under frustration (such as when you happen to be locked out of your own home).

But while you can’t simply call any locksmith service in Singapore and expect quality service right away, there are a few tips you should consider when hiring one to work on your property:

1. Ask for Credentials and Certification

Some locksmiths have a diploma just to prove that they are qualified to do their job. When hiring a locksmith, be sure that they are able to prove that they have a diploma, and that their said diploma and certification exists and is legitimate. This is to make sure that the business is not a scam. 

Insurance is another factor to consider, in case the repair leads to potential damages, but the best way to know if the business is legitimate is if the locksmith will ask you first for your identification, to make sure that the property they will be working on is actually yours. 

2. Check for Experience

How long has the locksmith service been an active business in Singapore? While not all quality services have started out for a long time, you are more likely to run into a reliable service if that service has been successful in Singapore for a good amount of time.

3. Customer Recommendations

Word of mouth is always the best advertisement available. If you have friends or family members that have experienced getting locked out of their home and needed to call a reliable locksmith Singapore, you can call them and ask their suggestions.

You can also read review sites online and see customers’ feedback. The more positive feedback, the more likely the service is actually reliable.

4. Prepare to Shoulder the Cost

Ask for an estimate in advance to avoid whatever misunderstandings that could add to your frustration of getting locked out of your own house. Having a clear estimate will save you and your locksmith the potential trouble of getting in an argument.

The labor cost could vary, and could be higher on evenings or weekends. A locksmith could also charge at a fixed rate, or charge by the hour. You should also ask how much the replacement locks will cost. One things is for sure: the cost will be expensive, so be prepared.

5. Consider Convenience

Is the locksmith service available? If so, how long will it take for them to get to your house and do their job?

When contacting a locksmith service (especially if you happen to be locked out of your own house), make sure that their working hours and location are within reach and are compatible with your situation.

A large company size with no address may mean that the company is operating in a large area in Singapore, but it also has its own disadvantages. For instance, the locksmiths may be contracted and not working directly for the company. This means that they could take a while to reach you as well as not that concerned about the quality of service.

For required replacement parts, make sure that the locksmith is able to maintain a good amount of stock parts for locks, as well as emergency replacement locks themselves that you can trust are high in quality.

Watching Out for Potential Scams

As hiring a locksmith is a delicate and crucial matter that could leave you vulnerable if you end up hiring a less than legitimate service, here are a few things you need to watch out for to know if the service is potentially a scam:

• Using a legitimate locksmith service’s information when the business is located in another area or that person/company is unaffiliated with that said locksmith service.
• Claiming that the lock cannot be picked and proceeding to drill it to remove the old lock and install an expensive replacement.
• Providing an unusually low price for the fix, only to raise the charge on the labor costs and/or adding the expense of mileage to the job.

*This list is compiled in no particular order.*