Like it or not, we’ve all found ourselves in this position: you leave the house in a hurry and forget to check your purse or your pockets. When you arrive home, your door is locked (great!), but your keys are nowhere to be found (not so great). Before you panic or try something unsafe, such as breaking through a window, you should consider calling a locksmith to help you out. There are plenty of great and reputable Chicago companies out there. Do your research first, and you won’t have to worry when the time comes to call. Here are some ideas to help you in choosing the right company to have on speed dial.
First, if you aren’t sure where to start, consider asking friends and family in the area for their recommendations. Most likely, they’ve been in the same situation once before! Be sure that you also check the location of the locksmith. Some businesses may advertise locally but actually be far enough away to charge an extra fee. It can be easy to get roped into calling them in a pinch, but be sure that you are finding a company that is actually in your neighborhood, or nearby! If you call a company in an emergency, you can still ask for an estimate and shop around. Make a list of all additional fees (for example: does the time of day make a difference?) so that when the locksmith arrives you have a price agreed upon and can argue for it if he tries to charge you something other than what was discussed. It is also important to find out if the locksmith is insured. If your property is damaged while the locksmith is working, it would be best if the company could cover any charge for repairs. Finally, some locksmiths may say that the lock should be drilled and replaced, but this isn’t typically the case. A good locksmith, such as many Chicago locksmith, should have the knowledge and tools to open your lock without having to completely gut it.
While it may seem daunting to find the right fit, a little bit of research can really help before you find yourself in an emergency situation. Make sure you have your locksmith picked out before it’s too late!
