You might think that a locksmith is just there to cut you replacement keys or come and save you when you are locked out of your house, but actually there is a much wider range of locksmith services available to you than you may have originally thought..
A highly skilled Master locksmith has to deal with a wide range of requests from opening safes and keeping up to date with the latest technologies in electronic car keys, to providing you with sound advice on your home security set up. Locksmiths are even being turned by the Police in criminal investigations to help police with their forensic investigations.
Whilst it is true that a handyman would be able to offer some of the services that a locksmith covers, most of the time they wont be doing it with the same degree of proficiency and expertise as a trained locksmith. After all, you are looking at the security of your home or business, so it would be prudent to talk to a professional.
To help you understand who you should turn to for help we've listed out all of the core services that we think a locksmith could help you with in the article below:
Lock Out Services
Domestic lock-outs
The most common locksmith service is provided when you’re locked out of your house or residential property you can call a locksmith to get you back into the warm in the quickest and least disruptive way possible. A locksmith will have specialist tools available to pick a lock and will try a variety of techniques to open your door.
Automotive Lock-outs
If you’ve lost your car keys or even worse, locked them in the car itself, then you can call a specialist automotive locksmith to help you get back into your car. Again they will be able to provide specialist tools and techniques specific to your job.
24 Emergency Locksmith Service
In the case where you’re locked out after hours, yes, you may have had a few drinks and “misplaced” your keys, then you can call a 24 / 7 emergency locksmith to let you back in.
Locks
Install locks
Another common locksmith service is if you’ve got new doors on your property then you’ll need to call a trained locksmith to come and provide you advice and install locks that meet your requirements.
Repair or Change Locks
If your lock has been broken, is getting old or needs to be changed for insurance purposes then you’ll need to employ the services of your local locksmith
Re-Key Locks
In some cases you may not want to replace the lock but want to ensure that no other key holders can access your property. In this case you can call a locksmith to come and rekey your locks, so that you don’t need to fork out for a new lock.
Window Locking Devices
If you’re in an older house you may not have any locks on your window so give your local locksmith a call and they will be able to advise you on the best locks to install and will come and fit these for you.
Lock Sales
Most locksmiths will stock a range of locks and if they don’t they will have a good knowledge of where they can get you the best lock to suit your needs. Your local locksmith should have a plethora of knowledge on all different types of locks so give them a call for advice and to fit the new locks.
Keys
Key Cutting
Pop into any locksmith and they’ll be able to cut you an extra set of keys for most types of locks including nightlatch, mortice and euro cylinder locks.
Keys Cut to Code
If you need a new key then check on your lock and see if you can find a code. This is usually found on the cylinder face and if you quote this number a locksmith will be able to cut you a new key, even if you’ve lost all other keys.
Transponder Cloning
When a locksmith clones a transponder, they are basically copying the data and placing this onto another key, so that it can also access the car. This is, of course, not much good if you lose the keys in the first place.
This is actually usually pretty cheap and easy for a locksmith to do as they just need a cloning device and the skills to cut a new key.
Restricted Master Key Systems
A good locksmith will be able to advise you on and help you install a restricted access master key system in your premises.
A restricted access master key system gives an increased level of security (as only the owner can authorise a copy of the key) and an increased level of convenience (users will only need 1 key to open up multiple doors within a premises).
This is particularly useful in an office scenario where the boss may want access to all doors, department managers only need access to their floor level and cleaners will only have access to certain doors eg supply cupboards as shown below:
This system also means that the likelihood of needing to replace lots of different lost keys is minimised and easier to control.
You’ll find restricted master key systems in the following scenarios:
• Office blocks
• Businesses
• Investment properties
• Large scale commercial buildings
Transponder Cloning
Most modern cars will now be fitted with small computer chips inside of the key themselves, which communicate with the vehicle and the immobiliser. These are called ‘transponders’, and were introduced in an effort to reduce car theft. This is one of the newer locksmith services that a modern day locksmith will provide.
Doors
Door Installation and Repair
A locksmith won’t only be able to help you with your locks but can give you advice in choosing, installing and repairing a door suited to your taste and security needs.
If your doors are damaged by weather, burglary or even vandalism then locksmiths can also offer repair and help with boarding up doors until they are fully repaired.
A lot of consumers are now choosing to switch to UPVC doors, which have enhanced security, soundproofing and are more durable, so your locksmith should be able to assist with new installations.
Fitting Security Screen Doors
Security doors are now becoming more popular as people become more security conscious. These are the barred doors or screens that sit in front of your main door and provide an added level of protection from any intruders.
A locksmith will be able to install, repair and replace security screen doors, which tend to get more wear and tear than the main doors of a house.
Install Door Closers
A lot of commercial properties will require doors to be fitted with door closers for added security and insurance purposes. Typically these will either be hidden within the frame of the door or be an externally mounted device. A locksmith should be able to fit both of these door closing devices.
Safes
Whilst most locksmiths will be able to offer safe services, there are also specialist safe locksmiths that you can contact who specialise in safe locksmith services.
Safe Installations & Safe Sales
There are a range of different reasons for needing a safe and a lot of different products available. Safes can be used to protect valuables against theft, fire and damage and often insurance companies will insist that companies have a safe meeting certain requirements if they store any cash on the premises.
There are a number of different types of safes available:
• Hidden Wall Safes
• Fire resistant safes
• Safety deposit boxes
• Key Safes
• Gun Cabinets
A safe locksmith will be able to help you choose and install a safe that is right for you.
There are a number of reasons why you may need to call your local locksmith to come and open your safe.You may have simply lost your safe keys or forgotten the safe combination or you may have the keys and combination, however, you just can’t open the safe.
If this is the case then you’re best off calling the locksmith or a specialist safe locksmith if you’re worried about the contents of the safe being damaged.
Safe locksmiths will come prepared with specialist tools and equipment to open your safe in a non-destructive manner, and will be able to create a new key for you straight afterwards.
Remember that safes or strong rooms are designed to keep people out, so it’s best to employ the services of a trained locksmith.
Change Safe Combinations
Call out a trained safe locksmith if you are unsure about how to change the safe combination and prevent yourself from a lockout.
Safe Disposal / Removal
A Safe locksmith will be able to advise and help you dispose or move your safe in the most convenient way.
Remember that safes are often extremely heavy and require specialist equipment to move them such as stair climbers, trolleys or cranes.
You may be relocating premises so need to move the safe or you may have bought a place that has a safe that you no longer need.If this is the case then its best to phone a safe locksmith to help you move and dispose of the safe correctly.
Security
Not only will a locksmith be able to help you get back into your house if you’re locked out or replace the locks, they’ll usually be able to provide you with great security information. This one of the locksmiths services, which is now an integral part of the trade.
Security Monitoring
Security monitoring is proven to be one of the most effective methods to protect your property against burglary and some locksmiths will be on hand to advise on the best systems to put in place.
Installation of a home monitoring system with CCTV cameras, and a notification system notifying you of any strange activity in your property is a very effective burglary prevention method.
These days you will be able to find monitoring systems, which provide regular updates to your phone or via the internet.
Alarm Installation
Having a highly visible alarm system on both commercial and residential property will also make potential burglars move on to the next property. A master locksmith will be able to give you the best advice on the latest home security and commercial security systems on the market, and will happily fit these onto your premises.
Alarm monitoring
Some locksmiths will be able to provide different alarm monitoring packages to suit the individual’s requirements, whether it be for residential or commercial property.
A locksmith will be able to advise on the different types of systems and service levels,which will be configured to send messages to a control centre depending on different triggers such as intruders, fire or even gas.
A package may include a maintenance contract where you will receive visits on the premises to check the system and alarms are functioning correctly.
Security Audits
A locksmith will be qualified to undertake a professional security audit of your business to ascertain the insurance requirements and appropriate security measures for your business.
They’ll be able to check out the buildings security vulnerabilities and advise on how you can protect your business from unauthorised entry
Improving your security is about preventing crime and protecting your business from unauthorised entry.
Home Security Advice
Most locksmiths will be able to provide you with advice on what security products and techniques you should employ to increase your home security.
A home security audit will review the entrances to the building, windows and the roofs to ensure that you are advised on the maximum protection and understand the risks to your property.
Whilst there is a bunch of standard advice that you’ll be able to receive, a locksmith will also be able to provide you with home security advice tailored to your property.
Forensic Locksmithing
This is a very specialist service, and a relatively new skill that more locksmiths are learning. Rather than focusing on prevention of crime a locksmith will be able to help ascertain how the crime perpetrators managed to enter the building. This is definitely not a common locksmith service, but is part of a growing industry.
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