If you’re like most people, you’ve probably locked yourself out of your home at least once. And if you’re unlucky, you may have also lost your keys at some point. When this happens, it’s important to know where to find a locksmith who can help you get back into your house as quickly as possible. So, what’s the best way to track down this service?
If you’re locked out of your home and need a locksmith asap, then there is help available on the internet. You can find a reliable and experienced locksmith that will open doors and repair locks for any car or house. The Move, Store & More team will look at some of the following points in this blog:
- What to do if you lose your keys
- How to find a locksmith in your area
- What to look for when hiring a locksmith
- Tips for avoiding locksmith scams
- How to prepare for a lockout emergency
What To Do If You Lose Your Keys –
The first thing to do is remain calm; you will not find your keys if you panic. Once you’ve calmed down, look at the places where you usually keep them. Please start with the last place that you remember having them and work backwards from there until you either find them or decide that they’re lost for good. Ensure that you don’t overlook any areas such as inside of books and between cushions on sofas and chairs.
If you can’t find your keys after searching for ten minutes, it’s time to think about what alternatives there might be.
Option One: Locksmiths
You might need to go this route if there’s a broken key stuck in the lock or if you’ve lost the keys and don’t know what type of locks they are. Locksmiths can open up just about anything, but there’s also a chance that it will be expensive depending on how bad your situation is.
Option Two: Emergency Service Providers
If you’re at home, try and remember if you have a spare key with someone who lives nearby. Some apartment buildings have an emergency service provider in the main office where you can get a spare key or replacement lock.
Option Three: Lost and Found
If your keys are at work or elsewhere, it’s worth checking with lost and found. This is because people hand in lost items in one central place, making it easier to check. You could also call around local businesses that may be able to help if you lose your keys somewhere, like a cafe or restaurant.
If you lose your keys, do not panic; remain calm by looking around all the places you usually keep them. Then, consider your options systematically to exhaust all options before you contact a locksmith.
How to Find a Locksmith in Your Area –
There are a few things more inconvenient than losing your keys. Trying to find someone who can give you a replacement set can be very stressful when it happens. A locksmith will be able to help you with getting new keys made for your home, car, or office lock.
Local councils may sell some basic key sets through their local stores, but these are often only designed for one-time use. You’ll have to buy new ones after the initial cutting. If you accidentally snap your key, the best thing is to contact a local locksmith. They will be able to remove any broken key parts in your lock so that it still functions. This will also save you money by not having to replace the lock entirely.
Finding a locksmith in your area can be tricky if you’ve never done it before, but there are some good ways to look for them online. The first thing you’ll need is their number; this should be on display somewhere on their website or adverts. It will be easy enough to find through Google search – type ‘locksmiths near me’ into the search engine and follow the links until you’re at their website.
From here, note the number and call them up using that information. Ask how much it would cost for them to come. This will give you an idea of how much it might cost depending on the service they are giving, whether it’s a replacement set of keys or a more complex lock opening.
Locksmiths Near You –
Most locksmiths will also have some form of social media presence, so keep an eye on their Facebook page for announcements about promotional offers or new items in stock. It can be useful to ask friends if they know any local locksmiths. Sometimes people save this in their contacts under L for anyone listed as ‘locksmith’ or similar. You can also save some numbers as a means of preparation.
Online directories are another place to look, which you’ll probably find on a locksmith’s website. If there’s not one, search for them by name, and they should pop up immediately. Making your car keys is usually straightforward, so don’t be afraid to call them out. If the lock has been badly damaged or broken, they might have to replace the whole thing. It’s also worth checking whether it would be cheaper.
By finding a reliable local locksmith quickly if you lose your keys, you’ll avoid expensive call-out charges, so this is one of the best ways to keep your costs down. Cutting new keys at a local store costs less than a locksmith’s call-out fee. Always be mindful that preparation can often reduce the need for emergency service providers.
What to Look for When Hiring a Locksmith –
It’s essential to choose the right locksmith for your situation. Here are some things you should look out for:
– Make sure they have an active affiliation with The Master Locksmiths Association (MLA). This means they’ll abide by rules and regulations set out by this association. Trustworthy businesses will want to operate within these boundaries, so it’s safe to assume that an MLA-registered company is also reliable. You can check their registration on the MLA website.
– Ask if they offer a guarantee. If the locksmith damages your lock while trying to do their job, this may be covered by their guarantee or insurance policy. Find out more about locksmith guarantees.
– Don’t hire a locksmith who quotes you over the phone. Some professional locksmiths may quote high prices so that they can get away with putting in less work when they arrive at your home/business. Try and get a quote in writing if possible.
– Ask for their full contact details before agreeing to anything and call them twice during the day and then again later to check if they’re coming. They should return your calls promptly, if not immediately. Locksmiths should also provide a detailed estimate of how long it will take for them to complete any work or advise on what other you need to ensure you’re fully informed.
– Check if your locksmith has insurance. The insurance company will pay if they damage anything while working on your home. This means you won’t have to worry about footing any bills. You can check their insurance status online or inquire if they have coverage by asking them for confirmation.
Tips for Avoiding Locksmith Scams –
Locksmith scams are not always common, but these chancers do exist. It’s crucial to be aware of any red flags so that you don’t get ripped off with high prices or fees that are entirely unreasonable. If someone ever tries to charge you more than is fair for their services, it’s best not to work with them at all. There are genuine locksmith professionals who can help you in an emergency without charging unreasonable rates for their service.
Locksmith scammers know their stuff and will display signs that say “24-hour locksmiths” or “emergency locksmiths” on their vehicles. They might tell you to meet them somewhere far from your location, so it’s easier for them to exploit you with fees that are completely unreasonable financially. It’s best to go with a nearby locksmith willing to help without charging any inflated call out charge.
Be aware that some scammers suggest hourly rates and won’t charge per service. Locksmith scammers often apply fees for services that don’t exist, including costs that are utterly unreasonable for unrelated services or payments that increase without warning. Finding a locksmith who focuses on unlocking your vehicle or house door most securely and safely for you is best.
A locksmith scammer might tell you stories about why they need a deposit payment in advance when they want your money for work that’s outstanding. Beware of locksmiths who ask for expensive down payments before starting their work. There’s no reason to do this, regardless of their explanation about why such expenditure is necessary. They might claim this is to secure materials, but no credible professional has stock or parts issues.
How to Prepare for a Lockout Emergency –
Prevention is always better than the cure when it comes to your locks. There are some surprisingly easy measures you can take to stop yourself from getting locked out in the first place. Unexpected lockouts happen all the time – but that doesn’t mean there aren’t steps you can take beforehand to protect yourself from any unfortunate incidents.
There are some simple measures you can take before disaster strikes:
– Keep at least one key outside of your home (preferably attached to an inconspicuous keyring).
– Leave a spare set of keys with a trusted friend, family member or neighbour.
– Keep locks in good condition – replace them if they’re easy to pick or break.
– Invest in locks that are harder to pick open (like deadbolts) to improve your security measures.
If you do find yourself locked out of your home and don’t have a spare key to hand, then there’s no need to panic. With thousands of locksmith services in the United Kingdom at your disposal, you will find one nearby to assist you. Just remember some of the cautionary pointers from this article before you hand over any money or make any formal commitment.
Move Store & More: Helping You Deal with Losing Your Keys –
We’re signing off for another episode of Move, Store & More. There will be more content heading your way shortly. Don’t forget to check out our previous articles here and share them online. You never know who might benefit from the advice held within. And that’s what we’re all about – providing helpful tips for anyone who’s moving or needs storage.
The sinking feeling when you can’t find your house keys is what many of us experience. It’s not that much of an issue if you know how to remedy the situation. We hope you find the answers in this article, but we’ll gladly go through more specific tips if you need assistance.
We’ll be back with a new blog shortly. Until then, go well, and we hope you’ll Move, Store & More with us soon.