Best Practices When Hiring a Locksmith

Best Practices When Hiring a Locksmith

The locksmith industry, unfortunately, has its share of shady characters — from low-ballers and “trunk slammers” to full-on scammers. While the first two are frustrating for professionals like us, it’s the scammers who truly hurt consumers. They take advantage of people in vulnerable situations and leave them overcharged, under-served, and with no way to get help when something goes wrong.

Here’s how to protect yourself and hire the right locksmith the first time:

• They Rely Solely on the “Google Guarantee”

While that badge looks official, many reputable, established locksmiths choose not to pay for that service. Don’t assume it means they’re verified professionals.

• They Won’t Give a Straight Quote Over the Phone

“It’s $29 for us to come out” might sound reasonable — until they arrive and the final bill is hundreds more. Ask for an honest estimate upfront.

• You're Talking to a Call Center, Not a Locksmith

If you hear background chatter from other agents, you’re not dealing with a local business. These centers dispatch unverified contractors, not trained professionals.

• You Receive a Second Call From an Out-of-State Number

If someone else follows up from a different number, that can be a red flag. Often, it's the actual tech being looped in after a call center books the job. This is not always the case, but it is something to look out for. 

• They Arrive in an Unmarked or Personal Vehicle

Legitimate locksmiths show up in clearly marked work vans with proper signage, tools, and identification. No logo = no accountability.

• They Drill First Without Exploring Other Options

Professional locksmiths treat destructive entry as a last resort. Scammers go straight for the drill to upsell you on cheap replacement hardware — often charging $300+ for a $20 lock.

• They Claim They Need “Special Tools” for Car Keys

This is a common tactic to justify massive upcharges. A trained auto locksmith has the right equipment on hand — and doesn’t need gimmicks.

• They Disappear After the Job

No business card. No receipt. No way to reach them if something goes wrong. That’s not service — that’s a hit-and-run.

• We provide honest, upfront pricing — with no bait-and-switch
• We always answer our own phone — you always speak to the locksmith providing service
• We drive a marked, professional vehicle with our logo, name and number displayed
• We are licensed, insured, and can provide identification
• We only use high-quality hardware from trusted brands, this goes automotive, residential and commercial. 
• Only drills as a last resort
• We Offer follow-up support(6 month warranty) and stand by our work

One of our customers called us to rekey her home. While working, we noticed her doorknob was keyed differently than her deadbolt — a red flag. She explained that weeks earlier she had locked herself out and called a “locksmith” she found online.

He arrived in an unmarked car, didn’t ask any questions, and immediately drilled the lock. Then, he replaced it with a bargain-brand deadbolt he had in his trunk and charged her $350 on the spot. No receipt. No company name. No way to follow up.

That’s what these scammers do — and why we take education and transparency so seriously.

Hiring a locksmith should bring peace of mind, not added stress. Protect yourself by choosing a local, established professional who values your safety and trust. Ask friends, family and colleagues for recommendations. If you find a locksmith on google. make sure to search their phone number or business name. Here in Florida, you can also check out sunbiz.org, and verify whether a business is legit. 

Here are two google searches for Viking Lock Service, and our phone number. As you can see we have a good amount of link backs and posts on all sorts of different websites. That is a perfect example of how a locksmith company should be represented online.