How to find a good locksmith

If you ever find yourself standing locked outside of your house or car, you may need to find a good locksmith. A locksmith is a professional who works with, makes, and repairs locks. These locks can be found on doors, safes and anywhere else that needs to be secure.

In order to find a good locksmith you can trust and to avoid a locksmith scam, here are a few things to consider during your search.

Licensing and certification

Each province has a different set of requirements for locksmiths to be able to provide services in their province. For instance, Ontario doesn’t require a locksmith to have a license, while in Alberta, under the Security Services and Investigators Act, individuals working in locksmith services industry have to be licensed.

Providing services without a license could result in fines or a court appearance. In British Columbia, locksmiths must be licensed. Even a person who is performing the work of a locksmith while under supervision of a licensed locksmith, must be have a license. Make sure to learn the requirements for your province. Additionally, if a locksmith has passed certification, this can serve as proof of their skills and capabilities.

Third-party accreditation

If you happen to live in a province like Ontario where locksmiths do not require licenses, you might want to look into third-party accreditation. In your search online to find a good locksmith, you might learn that they meet certain standards to qualify for a particular accreditation. Some accreditations require some sort of action to maintain it.

Professional associations and membership

Many locksmiths belong to associations so that they can get together for training and to discuss issues that affect their industry. If a locksmith is part of a professional association, it can mean that they're up-to-date with the latest industry information and regularly attend meeting with other professional locksmiths.

Mobile vs. storefront location

Since a locksmith will gain access to personal information like your address, feeling secure with your locksmith is important. While a mobile locksmith can reach you when you’re stranded in a mall parking lot after locking your keys in your car, nothing beats a storefront location. A locksmith with a physical location for their business gives you the opportunity to visit. Meeting a locksmith before you even need one is a great way to really know who you are dealing with so when an emergency happens, you’re prepared for it.

Listen to your friends

Our friends are people we can trust, so if you’re trying to find a good locksmith, ask around for the right one. Simply ask a few friends and family members for locksmiths they’ve used in the past. Nothing beats a recommendation.