Why the tagline means little
Superlatives cost nothing to print. Any company can buy an ad that says it is number one. What matters is how the company behaves when you call and when someone shows up at your door.
Five things that do matter
- A clear price before work. A service call fee and an estimate on the phone, and the total confirmed on site before work starts.
- Questions about you. A locksmith who asks for ID and proof of address is protecting you.
- A licence you can check. In California, locksmith companies are licensed by the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS). Ask for the number and look it up on the Department of Consumer Affairs website.
- Honest advice. A good locksmith rekeys when rekeying is enough and only suggests new hardware when it is needed.
- A written invoice and warranty terms. Know who invoices you and who stands behind the work.
Red flags
A phone quote that is far lower than everyone else's and grows once the locksmith arrives. Refusal to give any estimate. Pressure to drill a lock that could be picked. No invoice. Insistence on cash only.
Be clear about who does the work
Some locksmith websites, including this one, are referral services that pass your call to independent contractors. That is legal and common, but you should know it. Read the terms and conditions to see who invoices you and who provides the warranty.
Final thoughts
Judge a locksmith by transparency, not slogans: a stated fee, a confirmed total, ID checks, a licence number and a proper invoice.
