How to Choose a Reliable Locksmith

Choosing a reliable locksmith can be a minefield as there are literally thousands of locksmiths throughout the UK. But not all locksmiths are the same in the UK. Unlike the USA where many States require locksmiths to hold a licence in order to operate, locksmiths in the UK range from highly skilled professionals to the have-a-go handyman, and outright rogue traders who are in it to make a quick buck. And it’s unique to the trade industries such as electricians and gas engineers, simply down to the lack of regulation.

The UK locksmith industry is completely unregulated. This often comes as a shock to many people, especially when you consider that you are letting a stranger into your home or business to provide security services. A stranger who doesn’t require any training, qualifications or police checks. And there have been cases where a rogue locksmith has changed a lock and kept a key for themselves for later use. Fact.

Choosing a reliable locksmith

Making sure that you are actually calling on the services of a reliable locksmith and not an amateur can be difficult at times. Most people will simply search Google and call a company that appears near the top of the search results, or a company that appears in what’s known as the ‘map 3-pack’. But by taking an extra minute or two to choose who you’ll call out can help you avoid the rogues and the amateurs. Here’s how.

Check their qualifications

Even in an unregulated industry you can get official qualifications through Ofqual, the non-ministerial government department that regulates qualifications, exams and tests in England. Until 2019 there where no official regulated, vocational courses for the locksmith industry. Locksmiths were then left to choose a private company who had developed their own course and associated certification. These ‘certifications’ are simply a piece of paper given out to show that you had complete that course and are not officially recognised.

So, for the first time ever in 2019, Ofqual regulated two locksmith training courses:

• Level 3 Diploma in Commercial Locksmiths & Property Security
• Level 3 Diploma in Automotive Locksmiths & Vehicle Security

Better qualifications for an unregulated industry

These courses are college/university run vocational courses that take many months to complete and teach the student a full range of locksmith skills such as identifying locks, learning British Standards for locks, as well as a full range of non destructive entry methods. And because it’s an Ofqual registered course, it endorses that the learner has the correct level of understanding, knowledge, application and evaluation skills to successfully conduct a career as a locksmith professional.

Whilst it’s still early days for this qualification, and not a legal requirement for locksmith to undertake in order to pursue a locksmith career, Ofqual-qualified locksmiths will usually display the qualification on their website. But that doesn’t mean the locksmiths in your area don’t know what they’re doing. It takes more than a piece of paper to find a local locksmith who is trustworthy and reliable.

So what else will help you choose a a reliable local locksmith?

1. Ask for recommendations from friends or family in your local area. There is nothing more rewarding than choosing a local locksmith company for services and products. You are supporting businesses in your area. But you are typically also guaranteed a better level of customer service and getting help faster – something that’s usually top of mind when you call an emergency locksmith!

2. Use a reliable directory to find a locksmith. A quick way to find a local locksmith in your area is by searching the Find A Local Locksmith directory, where you can search for all local locksmiths in your area using your town, village or the first part of your postcode. The directory is dedicated to locksmiths only (so much easier to search than other directories), and limited to only local, independent locksmiths who are all fully-qualified, vetted, and provide a reliable locksmith service. They are not a national company – and there’s a difference, trust us. You can read more about the difference between local and national locksmiths here.

3. Check the reviews and ratings for the locksmith. Reviews and ratings can provide real world insight into the types of experience others have had with the locksmith’s service. Look for reviews related to your particular situation or service that you need. Keep a mindful eye out for the review dates: are they recent or old? Also, be mindful of the influx of reviews and ratings. Are they getting a steady flow of positive ratings from happy customers or only once in a while. While not always a red flag, these signs can indicate a problem.

4. Check their credentials. Whilst a locksmith might not have an Ofqual qualification, there are hundreds of genuine, professional locksmiths trading in the UK who are more than competent, professional and experienced locksmiths. As a minimum we recommend checking that you are choosing a locksmith who does not have a criminal record! Check whether the locksmith is DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checked. Because honestly, if you’re going to trust someone with yours, your family’s or your employees’ safety, wouldn’t you want to know they can be trusted?

5. Once you’ve found a locksmith, agree a price for your job. From responding to an emergency callout, to new lock installation for residential or commercial properties, or cutting duplicate keys, it is important to agree a final price so that you know where you stand. And make sure you get a price in writing (whether that’s by email or text). Professional, experienced locksmiths should be able to ask the right questions in order to diagnose your problem and give you a detailed quote and explain what is and isn’t included in that fee. Don’t leave yourself open to being ripped off as the job proceeds.

6. Ask if the locksmith offers Non-Destructive Entry (NDE). If you need an emergency locksmith to get you back into your property, ask them if they offer non-destructive entry. Non-Destructive Entry requires skill; skill that the amateurs simply don’t have or want, but that a time-served, professional locksmith does.

In Conclusion

The best time to choose a locksmith is in advance of an emergency. You don’t want to make an important decision about who to entrust your security to on a whim. We always recommend choosing a reliable local locksmith and that you keep their contact details on hand in case of an emergency.

1. Visit the Find A Local Locksmith directory (https://www.findalocallocksmith.co.uk) and search by your town or the first part of your postcode.
2. Call to ask about the pricing structure and if they quote fixed prices.
3. Check they are local locksmiths and hold van stock.
4. Check online and offline for customer recommendations.
5. Save the number in your phone for emergencies.

Good luck with finding a reliable local locksmith in your area!