Hiring a locksmith

Locksmiths provide keys and locks for everything in your home, from your windows and doors to your garden shed and your family car - find out how to hire a certified locksmith here.

Locksmiths offer a range of
security services

Before looking at what you need when hiring a locksmith it is important to understand the various jobs that a locksmith can do for you:

• Key cutting - hiring a locksmith will allow you to get new keys cut if you lose them ­or even make duplicates of existing keys.
• Repairs - locksmiths will repair all lock mechanisms that have become damaged or unsafe over time. They can even repair older locks that cannot be removed because of certain heritage rules, renovating them and making them functional again. Hiring a locksmith will also help you if you have had a lock damaged in a different way. For example, if you've unfortunately experienced a burglary, most locksmiths can often repair the damage done to the lock.
• Emergencies - in some cases, it might be an emergency you need to hire a locksmith for. A professional locksmith will be able to break a lock in such a way that it causes no damage to your door, and then repair it straight after. Because you never know when you might actually need this service, it's a useful one to particularly bear in mind.
• Other services - apart from locks and keys, many locksmiths can be hired for a different purpose. For example, some specialise in general security and can help you store your valuables. In other cases, some locksmiths can be hired to provide advice on installing CCTV and insuring your home and valuables.

What should I look for when hiring a locksmith?

There are just over 2,000 qualified locksmiths currently residing in the UK and given the variety of reasons why you might need to hire a locksmith, there are several different things you should look out for. It is worth finding out if a locksmith is licensed by the Master Locksmiths' Association (MLA). This body is recognised by the Home Office. To gain a licence from the MLA, applicants undertake comprehensive inspections and are fully qualified. Always make sure you independently check that the locksmith has public liability insurance too.

How much will it cost to hire a locksmith?

Comparing quotes from different locksmiths before hiring one will give you an idea of who will provide the best value for money. When looking to buy products such as alarm systems or locks, seek advice before you commit to buying in order to find the product which will best suit your needs. This means you need to check to see which locksmith will offer the best value. One of the best ways to find a competitively priced locksmith who is also reliable and will do a good job is to look for recommendations from friends and families.

You might need to hire a locksmith for a range of services, including emergencies like locking yourself out or discovering a burglary. The above points are some guidelines to follow to make sure you hire a certified and reliable locksmith at a fair price.