Locksmiths

Glitzkiss

Hello all,

Can anyone advise me about what to look out for when choosing a locksmith to replace the locks on my house? I've looked in the yellow pages and some of the adverts say they are police checked but is there some sort of proof I can ask to see? Or will my local police station carry a register of police-approved locksmiths?

Many thanks in advance

Glitzkiss

Ya1e

As far as I am aware, the Police do not have a register. It is not a regulated business and anyone can call themselves a locksmith.
Look through the yellow page ads carefully, looking for a truly local firm, quiet possibly a small advert! The vast majority of the flashy big ads are just national call centres using a local phone number, who then phone a local to you locksmith, so you pay two firms for one job!!!!!
A genuine locksmith will ask you all the right questions about what type of locks you need changing and give you a pretty near on quote over the phone. This will only alter if locks are unusual and need a bit of extra work to fit. Make sure you have written down all the locks you need changing and any names or markings on them to aid correct identification.
The hardest part about this job is the desciptions given for example I was told a client had a high security lock that needed changing. When I arrived it was a cheap as chips lock and a not very good key cutter had previously informed them it was a high security lock because he couldn't cut a key for it.

Glitzkiss

Thanks Ya1e,

I did look through the yellow pages and made a note of possibilities. There was an advert that stated they are a member of the Master Locksmiths Association but if the business is not regulated surely this means nothing?

Sorry for more questions. I just want to get this right first time

phill99

A decent locksmith will be a Mastrer Locksmith. Although it is an unregulated trade, the Master Locksmith Association is a decent trade body seting standards in the industry. Not any one can join. t6he only thing I would question is whether you need a locksmith at all. A decent cippy will be able to fit locks. Provided they are kite marked so adhere to the appropriate British Standard, that is all that is important. A decent chippy fits locks as part of his routine business. the only time I would suggest a Locksmith is maybe on metal doors/ windows or where a very specialised lock is used. For a standard sash lock or night latch, you may not need a locksmith.

Ya1e

Yes the Master Locksmiths Association is traditionally the industries leading self regulator. Recently there are a couple of "rival" groups setting up because of some unrest in the industry so you are staarting to see approved by so-and-so appearing on adverts. Thats not to say the newer associations are untrustworthy, just adds confusion for the consumer.
A "regular" decent locksmith will have a good selection of locks he commonly comes across in his patch on board the van, and if he has gleaned the appropriate information will almost certainly arrive on the job with the correct locks or cylinders and only charge a minimum. A chippy would more than likely arrive, have a look, trawl round suppliers and then return to fit, possibly charging half a day's wages!

Well I have to say that don't I !!!!

Glitzkiss

phill99 wrote: »

A decent locksmith will be a Mastrer Locksmith. Although it is an unregulated trade, the Master Locksmith Association is a decent trade body seting standards in the industry. Not any one can join. t6he only thing I would question is whether you need a locksmith at all. A decent cippy will be able to fit locks. Provided they are kite marked so adhere to the appropriate British Standard, that is all that is important. A decent chippy fits locks as part of his routine business. the only time I would suggest a Locksmith is maybe on metal doors/ windows or where a very specialised lock is used. For a standard sash lock or night latch, you may not need a locksmith.

I had to google chippys as we call them joiners up here I'm all hungry now :rotfl:

I like the sound of a joiner changing the locks and I'm assuming this won't throw up any problems with the insurance company if I have extremely bad luck and get broken into. The main reason I'm happy with a joiner doing this is that a few of my friends are in the trade and at least I'll know who I'm dealing with.

Glitzkiss

Ya1e wrote: »

Yes the Master Locksmiths Association is traditionally the industries leading self regulator. Recently there are a couple of "rival" groups setting up because of some unrest in the industry so you are staarting to see approved by so-and-so appearing on adverts. Thats not to say the newer associations are untrustworthy, just adds confusion for the consumer.
A "regular" decent locksmith will have a good selection of locks he commonly comes across in his patch on board the van, and if he has gleaned the appropriate information will almost certainly arrive on the job with the correct locks or cylinders and only charge a minimum. A chippy would more than likely arrive, have a look, trawl round suppliers and then return to fit, possibly charging half a day's wages!

Well I have to say that don't I !!!!

Thank you for your help Ya1e. I'm going to have a quick word with a friend (see post above) to see if he is willing to do it - for a price of course. If not then I'll use the locksmith I found in the yellow pages.

LandyAndy

I must be missing something.

If I wanted locks changed I'd do it myself. It isn't rocket science.

phill99

I'm with you on this one Landyandy, but if you are not confident doing something best get someone in. I've always believed we are all good at something and if we stick to what we know, wewill never go wrong in life.

And glitzkiss, its not who puts the locks in, but what they put in. Remember they need to be insurance kite marked to comply with your insurance conditions.

Glitzkiss

LandyAndy wrote: »

I must be missing something.

If I wanted locks changed I'd do it myself. It isn't rocket science.

I'm afraid not all of us have the practical gene. I found out a long time it was easier to get someone to do things immediately rather than me bodge the the job and have to pay more for it to be fixed My friends and family prefer it that way too :rotfl:

Luckily though, as Phill suggested I have other talents which I'm happy to share if required.

Glitzkiss

phill99 wrote: »

I'm with you on this one Landyandy, but if you are not confident doing something best get someone in. I've always believed we are all good at something and if we stick to what we know, wewill never go wrong in life.

And glitzkiss, its not who puts the locks in, but what they put in. Remember they need to be insurance kite marked to comply with your insurance conditions.

Thanks again Phill, I'll make sure the new locks are insurance kite marked