locksmithinmunster-blog

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Ways To Find A Good Locksmith

If you’re seeking the services of a locksmith there are certainly some very important things to consider before hiring one. Since locksmiths have access to your personal space, it is important that you find one that you can trust. Finding a trustworthy locksmith is possible but you also want to make sure that in addition to their being trustworthy, they are also effective in their duties. The two go hand-in-hand. When choosing a locksmith, you’ll want to choose one who acts like they want your business and will do whatever it takes to gain it. When you are looking for a Munster, IL locksmith, you may come across the name of Locksmith Munster IN, simply because we are one of the most reputable and reliable locksmiths in the area. While we certainly consider ourselves good locksmiths, we know that there are specific things that consumers pay close attention to before hiring us for the job that they wish to have us perform. Here are some things that you should know if you don’t already.

Many locksmith companies will advertise their services under more than one name. They want to give the appearance of being several companies but in actuality, they are the same company. What this means is that when you think you’re contacting one service provider you could be contacting a locksmith that is further away or with less experienced locksmiths. They give the appearance that they think you might be most attracted to in order to entice you to use their services. When the locksmith his dispatched, don’t be surprised if a locksmith arrives with less experience than you had hoped for. Some of these companies simply send out the closest locksmith to your location. They don’t know anything about them, which means that they are putting your safety in jeopardy. There are some of these locksmiths who don’t even honor the quote that was given to you and will insist that you pay them with cash only. Even if you don’t necessarily want the services of the cheapest locksmith, we’re sure you at least want a trustworthy and dependable locksmith. This is certainly something that you should be able to receive and we can make sure you do if you follow these simple steps for finding a good locksmith.

Look For Local Locksmiths

When contacting a locksmith, pay attention to how they answer the phone. If they are not using the full name of the company, continue looking. This is because your call is actually being routed through a call center. When this is the case, they will usually answer with some type of generic business name rather than an actual business name.

Check online reviews of the company. When looking at reviews, make sure you check more than one review website. This will enable you to get a good picture of what a particular locksmith company has to offer. You’ll also want to hire the service that has more good reviews than bad reviews.  

Make sure that you choose a locksmith company that has a physical address, it lends to their legitimacy.  

Also, when seeking the services of a good, reputable locksmith, make sure they provide you with an estimate that includes the following:

Labor cost

Service call

Parts

Estimate in writing

Emergency call out fees, surcharges, mileage fees

A copy of the company insurance  

Don’t be afraid to ask for proof of their qualifications. Ask about their license and if they are registered in Illinois.

What You Should Expect From A Locksmith

When a locksmith arrives they should be able to identify themselves by showing you their identification. They should also arrive in a vehicle that is clearly marked the name of the company that they work for prominently displayed on it. If you notice a name that is different from the name of the company that you have hired then do not do business with them. Simply let them know that you are unable to have services performed that day and then contact the company that you hired and cancel the service. You don’t have to explain why you have decided not to use their services.

You’ll also want to check the written estimate that was provided to you before the locksmith arrived. If you don’t have a copy, the locksmith should be able to provide you with one. If it doesn’t match what you discussed then you can decline services until they can produce a written estimate. They may not want to produce a written estimate because they want to charge you according to their needs. This is not good business, which is why you shouldn’t give them your business. They should be willing to honor any rate that they initially quoted to you and this should be in a written estimate.

Any legitimate service provider is more than willing to show you their credentials, this should also apply to a locksmith services. If they are unable to show you their credentials, such as a certificate of operation or that they are certified, avoid using their services. Go with a locksmith who can produce these credentials. They usually keep them on-hand so that they can gain the trust of the customer.  

If you receive a written quote from the locksmith when they arrive, compare it to the initial estimate you received. Whatever you do, never sign anything that you haven’t read through thoroughly. If you feel more comfortable asking them to wait in their vehicle until you have had a chance to read the estimate before signing, do so. A good locksmith will want to do whatever is needed to make the customer comfortable. If they attempt to rush you or intimidate you then kindly excuse them or simply tell them that you’ll be in contact once you have had a chance to thoroughly read the estimate.  

The bottom line is you should only hire a locksmith that you are 100% comfortable with and that you have researched in advance.

#locksmith #good locksmith #hire a locksmith

[locksmithinmunster-blog]

Various Types of Locks

When you are in the market for new locks for your home or business, it is more serious than you might think. Your locks are your first line of defense against intrusion. If you don’t have the right ones then it would be easy for someone to break in. You may not have given too much consideration to this until now. If you’re having a new home built or you have signs that someone has tried to get inside your business then it is important that you consider the type of locks you have installed. Even when you are having your home remodeled, you’ll want to be sure that the locks you use are not just attractive but that they also offer you the security that you need. At Locksmith Munster IN we have helped many find the right types of locks for their needs. Our locksmiths can assist you by consulting with you about where you intend on having the locks installed. If you are looking for exterior locks you’ll need the most durable types of locks available to you. You wouldn’t use the same types of locks for your exterior doors that you would use for your interior doors. Most interior locks are simply for aesthetic purposes, while the exterior locks are intended to keep out intruders. Many homeowners believe that simply because they are familiar with certain manufacturers that it must be a good brand. This definitely is not the case. What this usually means is that a manufacturer has chosen to advertise more than another one. The other manufacturer may find it more useful to put additional money into the development of better locks. Our locksmiths can help you determine which locks are most suitable for your needs.

Someone could break in when you least expect it and that is why you have to be prepared for this to occur with the right locks. Every lock has a rating and when you are not familiar with this then it is likely that you’ll purchase any type of lock that looks good. Don’t worry because our locksmiths are well aware of the different ratings and what they mean. They can explain them to you so that you can find the most durable lock based on their rating. Since our locksmiths are so familiar with these ratings, it is certainly in your best interest to consult with them prior to purchasing your locks.

How Your Lock Works

Knowing how the mechanics of a lock works might be instrumental in helping determine the type of locks you need. Knowing how your locks function might help you make the right decision about the ones that you will need. A standard lock is usually a doorknob lock. It’s a straight-forward lock that is easy to install. The doorknob lock is usually used on interior locks and is not the most durable types of locks. This is why it helps to consult with a locksmith about any new locks that you purchase, so that you’ll know where they should and shouldn’t be installed.

Here is a list of some of the most popular locks installed by our locksmiths:

Pin Tumbler Lock – This lock has a set of pins, which align with the locking mechanism. When they align correctly the lock will disengage. When the incorrect key is inserted into the keyhole the pins won’t align, which means that the lock will not open.

Warded Locks – There is a bolt in the lock and once the right key is inserted it will disengage. The ward inside the lock is what obstructs its movement when the incorrect key is inserted. It will only move when the right key is inserted.

Lever Tumbler Locks – The bolt inside the locking mechanism will not move if the incorrect key is inserted.

The type of lock that you have will determine its locking functionality. The only way that you should be able to unlock any lock is with the correct key. You shouldn’t be able to use just any key, as this is what a passkey is able to do. Those who have a passkey are usually maintenance technicians who take care of properties. It is illegal to use a passkey without authorization.

Electronic Locks

The world is advancing and therefore there are new locks introduced to the market place constantly. More products are being designed for convenience. This would also include locks. Electronic locks offer a great deal of convenience for those who use them. It is true that electronic locks are more expensive than traditional locks but they offer a lot more too. The level of technology used to design them is so far advanced that they deserve to be paid for them. You are definitely paying for the expertise of those who design these types of locks. You are also paying for their level of efficiency. The electronic locks are seldom compromised due to advanced design features. In many instances when a burglar notices that you have electronic locks they will often avoid attempting to break in.  

Types of electronic locks that our locksmiths install most often include:

Push Button Locks – A code is required to unlock and lock this type of lock. A keypad is installed and this is where you’ll have to put in the correct code to open the lock. Some push button locks have internal motors and some with magnets that engage the lock. This type of lock is simple to program, which is why it is a good option.

Biometric Locks – This type of lock is often found in government buildings to allow access to authorized personnel only. Biometric locks use personal characteristics to identify the person. The most widely used type of personal characteristic is a fingerprint. When the person places their finger on the keypad and the correct fingerprint is identified, the lock will unlock.

No matter what type of lock you’re interested in, you can get the help that you need to install them from a qualified locksmith.  

#types of locks #locksmith #locksmithing