Locksmiths aren’t restricted by Government Licensing, meaning they can charge any price they want. Although this means that some Locksmiths will try to take advantage of this and overcharge you, there are still lots of trustworthy locksmiths who will always charge a fair price for good quality work.
If you are unsure what to look for in a locksmiths to avoid being overcharged, then this article is for you. Keep reading for our top suggestions on what to look for when choosing a local locksmith.
Look out for ‘too good to be true’ Google ads
Avoid Google adverts for Locksmiths with a lower price point than you were expecting. You can often recognise a rogue locksmith due to their very cheap advertised price at the top of search engines. This price is usually around £39 to £59.
Although they advertise their service at what appears to be a very good rate, they will usually significantly upcharge you once the work has been completed. The MLA had over 500 reports of this in 2020. Locksmith bait & switch price scheme has become an increasing issue within the industry resulting in customers being majorly overcharged by rogue locksmiths.
At Halls Locksmiths we always guarantee a fair price and quality service to match. If you have any questions about our costing please contact us to discuss a quote for our service.
Claims of being approved or recommended
When looking for services we often gravitate towards businesses we believe to be approved or recommended by a governing body. Unfortunately, locksmiths often make false claims and it can be difficult to determine if these claims are legitimate if you don’t know what you’re looking for. We recommend that you avoid any locksmith that claims to be “Police Approved” or “Police Recommended” as the police do not advocate for any specific locksmith.
A Locksmith that isn’t approved by a trusted company is more likely to overcharge or to be less forthcoming about hidden costs they add on to their services. Going with a trusted and approved Locksmiths will provide you with more overall security.
If you are looking for an approved Locksmith in your area The Master Locksmiths Association can help you. Locksmiths can only become MLA approved after reaching set standards, meaning you can be sure their service is trustworthy.
Halls Locksmiths is a Master Locksmiths Association approved company, view our MLA profile.
A locksmith being vague on price
A genuine locksmith will most likely have a set pricing structure that they stick to with all their customers. We recommend calling your locksmith ahead of requesting their services to ask for a quote for the job either over the phone or via email. If you provide details of the job this shouldn’t be a problem for a trustworthy locksmith.
There is no Government Licensing for Locksmiths meaning they can charge any price they wish. This being said, the MLA have created a price guide that can give you an idea on how much services should cost.
If you are in need of a locksmith but are unsure how to find a locksmith you trust, we recommend calling them to discuss their services and costing before booking their services.
Our friendly team are always available to offer you advice on ensuring your house or office is safe. We are happy to help with anything you need to provide you with the peace of mind you deserve. Pop into our store or give us a call on 0115 9780141.
