Do you need a locksmith?
Whilst there is a vast range
of professional locksmiths
in Newcastle
who are members of the Master Locksmith
Association (MLA), like us at NLS Security Ltd, there is a handful of
unscrupulous dealers too.
But the good news is, there
are steps you can take to check the credentials of a local locksmith – like
asking them questions to prove their reliability and validity and seeing
whether they have an up to date MLA ID card.
Here’s what you need to do to
find a professional locksmith.
Four tips for finding a
reputable locksmith in your area
1.Keep
an eye out for third-party approval
MLA approved locksmiths are
vetted, regularly inspected, and employ qualified locksmiths only. They have
proven their legitimacy and often display the MLA logo with pride on their
website and commercial vehicles.
It’s important to note that
some companies make false claims of accreditation and use logos without
permission which, in turn, can make it difficult to determine whether they are
security industry professionals.
Fortunately, you can check if
a locksmith is certified – and find MLA approved locksmiths in Newcastle
– on the MLA
website.
2.Do
your online research
Word of mouth recommendations are
a great way to find reliable Newcastle locksmiths
, but you also want to
establish whether the company has an online presence.
Do they have a website that
includes their contact details? What about social media? Do they actively
update their posts and respond to customer enquiries?
In most cases, rogue locksmiths
won’t be on social media and, if they have one, their website will be basic and
provide little information about the services they provide.
It’s also a good idea to check
that the address advertised is genuine as some locksmiths have bogus addresses.
3.Stay
local
Do a quick online search for ‘locksmiths
near me’, and you’ll find a wide range of companies. But we must point out that
not all of these will be Newcastle locksmiths
,
and some may be
national call centres who sub out the work to anyone in the area at the time.
Our best advice is to check
that their phone number is local. All numbers in Newcastle upon Tyne begin with
the 0191 area code.
Listen carefully to how they
answer the phone when you call too. A regional locksmith will use their company
name, rather than something generic like “local locksmith”.
4.Request
a quote
Before you decide which locksmith
to choose, you want to know how much they charge.
The cost of hiring a locksmith
can vary depending on the job, your location and the day/time, so it’s a
sensible idea to get at least 3 quotes from different locksmiths in
Newcastle
. If someone is offering prices that seem too good to be true,
this is a red flag and could mean that you’ll end up paying more further down
the line.
Another thing to bear in mind
is what vehicle the locksmith uses. Often, a reputable locksmith drives a van
that incorporates their company name, contact details and a brief description
of the services they offer. Most professionals also have a branded uniform
which makes them easier to recognise. And they are equipped with the most
reliable tools to change locks, duplicate keys, deal with lockouts, emergency
repairs, and more.
Contact NLS Security today
Every one of our Newcastle
locksmiths
is MLA approved and covers all areas in the North East. We offer
a comprehensive range of locksmith services
and
even provide a 24-hour call-out service.
To find out how we can help
you, or for more tips on choosing a locksmith near you, call 0191 238 6000.
