Getting Help From A Houston Locksmith: The Price Of Local Service
In The Middle Of Nowhere
If you are having problems with your vehicle, and you are in a remote area, safety should be your number one priority. It may give you comfort to know that a locksmith is on the way, but you still need to take a few precautions. The following tips are imperative.
1. Go where the light is. Make sure you aren’t in a shadowy spot whenever possible.
2. Act like you have a purpose. Do not appear to be confused or frustrated.
3. Call a friend or family member on the phone.
4. Put away all valuables.
5. If you are approached by someone you don’t know, avoid all contact. Keep your eye out for the locksmith and ask for identification so that you are sure you are talking to the right person.
Help With An Emergency
Sometimes, an emergency situation crops up and you are able to handle it on your own. Other times, you have to have a locksmith come out to you on an emergency basis. If you don’t know what to do, and you can’t get into your house or your car, that is where a locksmith comes in handy. You can reach them at any time of the day or night, and they will come out to you as soon as possible. There are several reasons why you might need to work with an emergency locksmith.
For example, you may need help opening your car or trunk. You may need to get a lock picked or you may need a new ignition. You might not be able to find your keys or need to have your car key programmed. Other times that you may need an emergency locksmith include issues with your spare keys, master lock installation, chip key replacement, broken car keys, window lock repair, door locks, gate locks and more.
The price for an emergency locksmith varies greatly depending on what you need done. You could pay as little as $50 but as much as $600. Of course, the thought of paying several hundred dollars may seem a little extreme, but you have to think about what you are paying for. If you live in a busy area, you are paying for time. You are also going to pay for the type of service you get. Do your research, though, to ensure that you are paying a fair price.
Be smart about the situation. Get a quote first and then go from there.
Extra Fees
Always ask if there are any extra fees that will be tacked on to your account. For example, there may be an after-hours charge or there could be a charge if you are located far away from the locksmith. You do not want to go into the process thinking that you are paying one thing when your bill is actually much higher. Instead, get one price and make sure the locksmith is committed to it.
If you can wait to have a locksmith come out, make sure you do your research. Look at their website online and see if there are any reviews listed. Pay attention to what former clients have to say about a certain locksmith. If you get a bad feeling, move on. There are too many locksmiths out there to waste your time and energy on someone that isn’t going to give you good service. Of course, time may be of the essence if it is an emergency.
Qualifications
Unfortunately, there are people out there that will try and take advantage of you. There are several ways you can choose someone that is best suited for your needs.
First, look up the business and the locksmith. Ask to see proof of license and qualifications. If someone says they do not have their license, that should raise a red flag because it is a law that they have it with them in the United States.
If something does not feel right to you, contact the authorities. It is always better to be safe than sorry.
Handle It On Your Own
There are some jobs that should be left to the professionals. However, there are other jobs that you can work on yourself in order to save some money.
For example, if you need rekeying services, you can buy a kit over the Internet or pick something up at a store near you. You take out the knob, then the retainer ring and finally the cylinder plug. Use the pins from the kit and then put the lock back together.
If you can’t get into your car, try using a coat hanger and seeing if you can get the lock to pop up. If you don’t have a coat hanger, and you are close to a store, buy a thin metal one and put it between the weather-stripping and the window, feeling around for the post. After you find it, pull the hanger up. The post should go up as well and the door then unlocks. Keep in mind, though, that this can harm your vehicle.
If you can’t get into your home, search first to see if any window or door is unlocked. If not, use a credit card and wiggle it between the frame and the door. You may be able to pop the lock this way. You can also push all your weight up on the door to force the lock. Of course, you need to call a locksmith afterward to fix the situation.
Trying these methods might work for you but they can also hurt your home or vehicle. Use them with caution and consider working with a locksmith instead.
Call us today! Also, read up on Part I of this article by visiting here.
