Author: Haidy Elsawaf

The new year is the perfect time to start looking at your home door security to make sure you stay secure in 2023! It was thought that in 2021, 76% of burglars gained entry to a home through a door, with 33% forcing the lock and an astonishing 14.5% simply opening an unlocked door, so in 2023 your home door security will help to keep your house secure!

In this blog, we will take you through the best ways to secure your door in 2023 so you and your home stay protected!

 

Make Sure You Lock Your Home Door!

Locking your door is usually a normal habit, however, surprisingly some people still forget to do it! Remembering to lock your door will certainly offer your home more protection and help to keep your family, and your valuables safe!

Home insurance providers will usually want to know what locks you have on your external, patio and garage doors when you apply for a home insurance policy. This is because it’s an indicator of how well your home is protected. If you don’t lock your doors when you leave the house could invalidate your insurance as this may be a requirement of your policy!

 

 

Get A Door Replacement Or A New Home Door

If your door is severely damaged it may be past the point that a local Locksmith or a Carpenter can repair it, so it might be worth looking for a new door replacement.

Making sure you have a suitable house door is not only important, but it’s also critical. Therefore, choosing the right door is going to significantly help your home security. Different door types offer different designs, thermal performance, security, and practicality. Different types of door materials are:

Wooden Doors

Whilst they can add traditional elegance to their property, wooden doors can be the least secure type of door type as they are not reinforced in the same way that a uPVC, Composite and Aluminium door are and are susceptible to issues like warping and rot!

Aluminium Doors

Aluminium is a durable and powerful material that creates a strong physical border between your property and the rest of the world. It’s a cutting-edge substance that will stand the test of time. Aluminium doors are weatherproof by nature and will withstand whatever the elements throw at them.

uPVC Doors

uPVC doors are extremely secure and safe with exceptional performance and durability. It’s a great material for front and back doors because it’s low maintenance, thermally efficient, and when paired with the multi-locking mechanism can benefit your home security.

Composite Doors

Composite doors are naturally sturdy and resistant to intruders due to their structure. They feature an insulating core and are made up of multiple layers, making them also incredibly energy efficient.

Check out the home door security guide for more information on door types.

 

Upgrade Your Home Locks To High-Security Locks

Different lock types and models can come with different security features, which not only can help keep your home safer but also can potentially help you save money on your home insurance.

One of the most common lock types on a uPVC door is a euro cylinder, which unfortunately can be prone to lock snapping! To combat this, there are higher security models available which have protection against this form of forced entry and can better help to protect your home against attack.

Consider upgrading your door locks to higher security models such as British Standard locks (BS3621) to benefit from the different security features that they hold to keep your home secure.

Learn more about higher security lock brands including Ultion and ABS locks!

 

Upgrade To A New Smart Lock In 2023

Another way you can help secure your door is to update your traditional lock into a smart lock. Smart locks for uPVC doors have amazing features like the ability to keep a record of who enters and leaves your house, remote access to lock and unlock the door and even get notifications of when the door is opened.

Usually controlled through a smart device, you can give and take away access to family members, friends, and neighbours to have better control over who has access to your home!

 

Add Some Extra Home Door Security Accessories

Something that people can often overlook is accessories. Things such as peepholes and door chains give you an extra layer of security to your door at a relatively cost-effective price, so they are something you should utilise to keep your home safe and your door secure!

It’s no surprise that all door accessories can play a factor in securing houses, but they are only effective when installed correctly. Therefore, it’s important to hire a professional to install your door accessory, to ensure that it is working correctly and doesn’t cause damage to your door or frame.

Install A Door Peephole

A front door peephole is a cost-effective solution to increase a sense of security in your home. Before unlocking the door to someone knocking at the door, you’ll be able to quickly check who’s there and just outside your door to make sure you’re opening the door safely.

Fit A Door Chain

A correctly installed door chain for uPVC doors or wooden doors allows you to safely open the door without giving the person on the other side full access to your home. A great deterrent from someone being able to force a door open, a door chain can give you peace of mind that there is a second line of defence should someone try a force their way through your front door lock.

Get A Smart Doorbell

Smart Doorbells are a great addition to highly secure your door. With traditional home doorbells, we all know the drill. The doorbell is rung by whoever is outside your house, and the chime is heard throughout your house. Then you open your front door without knowing who was on the other side of the door.

Doorbell technological advancements have expanded the levels of home safety that a traditional doorbell can offer. You can have a chat with someone without opening the door, see visitors clearly through an integrated camera, use it through a smart app and receive smart notifications.

To conclude, you could make your home more secure for you and your family by making your door entry points more difficult to access and storing your most valuable possessions in the hardest to break into areas. Take a fresh look around your home now that you’ve learned all the above home door security ideas. Try and think the way a potential thief would and check if your door has any vulnerabilities that they could exploit – then address them.

Locksmiths provide lots of different services to customers, the most common is in emergency situations when you are locked out or when keys have been lost. However, calling out a Locksmith isn’t a regular occurrence for most so knowing how much they can cost can become confusing.

It’s important to have an estimate of how much a reliable Locksmith might charge for Locksmith services, so we have created this blog to answer some of your questions about Locksmith prices and what can affect them.

For in-depth information about Locksmith prices, our Locksmith Prices and Cost Estimates Guide provides more information or call us on 0808 164 2928 for more accurate quotes.

 

Time of Day

Time of the day is a  factor of how much you could pay a Locksmith. If you have called out a Locksmith at 11pm, the cost is most likely going to be higher than if you called them out at 11am. This is because outside of normal working hours (6am to 6pm, Monday to Friday) you can expect to pay a premium.

 

Day of the Week

Most Locksmiths in the UK operate 24 hours, providing their services at times including bank holidays and weekends. As these days are outside of normal working hours, Locksmiths will usually charge a little more than usual for working these extra hours.

 

Call Out Charge

Some Locksmiths will apply a callout fee, which is a fee for physically arriving onsite and then will charge a labour rate on top. A labour rate is a charge for the time a Locksmith spends on site actually fixing the issue.

Some Locksmiths will charge for both, but most will only charge for the labour rate, but it can significantly increase the price of a Locksmith service if a call out charge is added. It’s worth asking the Locksmith on the phone before they attend if they charge a call out charge, most reputable companies do not charge these.

 

Location

Where you live can also affect the cost of services. It’s no surprise that services in larger cities, like London, come with a premium charge and the Locksmith industry is no different. The price of a Locksmith is reflective to the area in which you live and the general costs of the area.

 

Type of Job

Every type of Locksmith job will differ in its costs. The cost to replace a lock will be different from replacing an entire mechanism, and again, will differ from burglary repairs and boarding up!

 

Required Parts

The parts needed for the job will affect the overall price you will be charged, for example a euro cylinder (commonly found on uPVC doors) can cost £30+, whilst a mortice lock (commonly found on wooden doors) can cost £45+.

 

Size of the Job

Most reliable and trusted Locksmith companies will try and get all work done within the hour where possible. However, it’s worth noting that the size of the job can affect the cost of the Locksmith service.

Most Locksmiths will charge an hourly labour rate and if you were looking to get a single lock changed then this will most likely just be a single hours’ worth of labour, however if you are moving home and were looking to get all your locks changed then you might have to factor in a couple hours of labour.

 

About the NCCL

The National Guild of Certified Locksmiths provides our customers with a platform to be connected to professional, expert local Locksmiths where quality is assured and customer service is the top priority. All of our Locksmiths are DBS checked, accredited and some of the top experts in the industry. Find your local Locksmith.

*where possible

Updated December 2023

When it comes to home security, you want to make sure you are as safe as possible, however, you may not have the finances for a high-tech security system or gadgets. Good news is you don’t have to spend a fortune to keep yourself and your property safe. We’ve gathered some effective low-cost security measures you can use to secure your home in this blog!

 

Apply House Safety Habits

A very important, but completely free, step is to establish some safety habits or rules. These can include where to put your house key once you are back home, how to open the door to strangers, or how to secure items in your garden.

 

Find a Home for Your Keys

Most of the time, people will innocently lose their keys by misplacing them, so having some habits for where to put your keys can help to minimise the risk of losing them. Likewise, if you do lose them, you know the first place to check!

 

Opening the Door to Strangers

Setting some safer habits for when someone knocks at your door is also a good thing to put in practice, especially if you have children.  Having set rules where children might not answer the door or asking who’s there before opening the door, helps to make your home that bit safer. Whilst it’s not as common some would be burglars will knock on the door to see what kind of security someone might have and if someone is just home alone.

You could also install a door chain to help restrict your door when you open it. It’s an affordable and effective measure that means that you can open the door without exposing your home.

 

Securing Your Garden

Gardening tools and furniture can give burglars an opportunity to gain access to your home in ways that you might have considered. So, if you are doing work in the garden or have anything just lying around be sure to set some rules that they need to be locked away in a shed or placed somewhere out of sight.

 

Lock your Doors and Windows

Very simple, yet always forgotten. Locking your door should always be on your mind!

You should always lock your doors and windows when you leave the house and even if you are at home! It’ s surprising to learn that more than ¾ of burglars will gain access to a home through a door but that 1 out of 3 of those doors are unlocked!

You should never leave doors and windows unlocked, and if you have home insurance you could actually be invalidating your policy if someone doesn’t use force to enter your home.

 

Cheap Security Measures

If you are willing to spend just few quid to deter burglars away, here are some affordable security measures you can consider:

 

Alarm Stickers

Even if you don’t have an alarm system in your property, you can buy an alarm warning sticker for the outdoor wall. Alarm stickers have a very noticeable design and usually in red to be more visible, sticking it near your house will certainly make a burglar make your home a less attractive target!

Click here for different alarm stickers on Amazon with less than £1!

 

Fake Outdoor Camera

Fake cameras, often referred to as dummy CCTV cameras, look exactly like a real one and even an expert thief will be less likely to take a risk on a home with a ‘security system’. It’s certainly way cheaper than a real one and will deter intruders away in the same fashion!

Click here for different dummy CCTV cameras on Amazon with less than £2!

 

Decoy Alarm

Also referred to as dummy security alarm, a decoy alarm is another option if you don’t want to spend loads on a full security alarm system. You get all of the benefits of the physical deterrent without the price tag!

Click here for different dummy security alarms or sounder bells on Amazon with some for less than £9!

 

Join your Local Neighbourhood Watch

A further free of charge option to help keep your home secure, especially when you are away, is to join your local neighbourhood watch. The group aims for deterring and preventing crime across your neighbourhood and is a good option to help keep your local community a bit safer too.

Find out your local scheme here!

Another thing you could do is to get to know your neighbours as well. They can help detect odd behaviour whilst you’re away and help to reduce your risk of becoming a target. It won’t cost you anything whilst helping to make sure your home is safer.

 

To sum up, home security should be an essential consideration but it doesn’t have to be expensive. Whilst there are several options to keep your home secure, being low on budget shouldn’t affect your security measurements.

 

About NCGL Locksmiths

The National Guild of Certified Locksmiths provides our customers with a platform to be connected to professional, expert local Locksmiths where quality is assured and customer service is the top priority. All of our Locksmiths are DBS checked, accredited and some of the top experts in the industry. Find your local Locksmith here!

For more information on how a Locksmith can help you in many different ways click here.

*where possible

Van theft hits approximately 47,000 commercial vehicles in the United Kingdom every year. Taking some extra security precautions will help to limit the likelihood of your vehicle becoming one of them, and may actually also be essential to keep your insurance valid!

Especially in the Locksmith industry where your tools are essential to your work and get carried around to jobs on a daily basis, if you haven’t fully protected your van from theft, then you could be at risk!

In this blog, we will give you some tips to help you theft proof your van!

 

Don’t Forget to Lock your Van

It seems obvious, yet it’s shocking how often van doors are left unlocked! Some car thieves plan their actions, while others might see an easy opportunity for theft and exploit it. Make sure you don’t give thieves the opportunity by locking your van anytime you’re not using it.

 

Park Responsibly

Vans that are parked alone can be bigger targets for any thief, so try to park closer to other vehicles or in more populated areas. Preferably, you should park your van in a well-lit place that is visible to CCTV (if there is any) and other cars. Even better when parking in a public place is to park near a wall or fence, which means burglars won’t be able to get access to your doors in any way.

 

Hide the Valuables in your Van

If you have a van or looking to get a new one, it’s probably because carry lots of items most of the time, especially being a Locksmith with your stock and tools.

Some Locksmiths use stickers as a deterrent for thieves, such as a sticker that says, “This vehicle is fitted with a GPS tracker”, to preventing becoming a target from the beginning.

If emptying all the items in the van isn’t practical for you, try parking smartly overnight (as mentioned above) to avoid becoming a potential target. It’s also better to keep track of what’s inside your van as thieves may steal one or two items and you wouldn’t notice quickly.

 

Enhance your Van Lock

Adding extra locks to your van will help you prevent any van theft. There are 2 main van locks we suggest if you are theft proofing your van locks:

Slamlocks

Slamlocks will allow your van doors to be opened separately, so if you would like entry to your van’s side door, for instance, opening it with a key will not open the back door.

Deadlocks

Because there is no spring mechanism weakness, van deadlocks prevent locks from being broken.

 

Additional Security Measures

Van Alarm System

The majority of vans come standard with an alarm. So, before you continue, check to see if yours has one. If you don’t already have an installed alarm, you can get one easily fitted by a specialist. Alarms will be a great asset to have in protecting your van.

 

Engine Mobilisers

An engine alarm immobiliser is a type of electronic security equipment that is placed to keep automobiles from being stolen. The engine immobiliser incorporates a one-of-a-kind electronic chip into the vehicle’s electronic control unit. The installation of a high-quality immobiliser stops the engine from starting without the use of the van’s key.

 

Check Van Insurance

Examine your insurance as completely as possible to ensure you understand the situations for which you are protected. For example, most insurance might not cover you if your van is stolen if it is left unlocked.

Check out our guide to insurance here!

 

The Most Secure Vans for Locksmiths

The Ford Transit Custom Van

It comes on top of the list when choosing a secured van to own. The Ford Transit Custom is more capable and sophisticated compared to other competitors in the market. This is due to a variety of innovative features that adds to its security.

Find out more about the Ford Transit Custom here!

 

Mercedes Sprinter Van

A further option to consider is the Mercedes Sprinter van. It comes with a factory immobiliser and keyless entry. Further innovative features also make it a top secured van to own!

Find out more about the Mercedes Sprinter Van here!

 

Fiat Fiorino Van

Fiat Fiorino is also a great option. For added protection, all doors can be shut from inside the van and independently from the front doors. When it comes to turning around corners with confidence, it’s certainly one of the greatest on the market. It feels safe and secure whether loaded or unloaded.

Find out more about the Fiat Fiorino Van here!

 

To sum up, van break-ins can happen all throughout the country, and there are some things you can do to make your van more secure. Make sure you secure your van with our top tips above!

As Christmas approaches your home is going to be getting full of lovely, but expensive, gifts. Burglars know this and it’s not surprising that burglaries tend to spike around Christmas time. There are a few steps you can take to make sure your home is as secure as possible and keep Christmas a special and wonderful time of the year.

 

1.    Activate your Security System

Over the festive period you might be out of the house more, Christmas shopping, for Christmas parties or just for general festive events. But it’s important to remember to set your alarm or security system if you have one. Even if you are only popping out for a short time, most burglars are in and out within 8-10 minutes, so your home doesn’t need to be unsecured for long to be at risk.

 

2.    Make the House Seem Occupied

If you are heading to stay with family or friends over Christmas to open your Christmas gifts, you don’t want people to know your house is empty. Cancel any newspaper or milk deliveries and it’s worth asking a trusted friend or neighbour to keep an eye on your house while you are away. You might also consider getting plug timers, so your lamps can go on and off during the day, to give the illusion that someone is home.

 

3.    Hide your Boxes

These days most of the gifts you buy are going come in some form of packaging, and this needs to be disposed of. A big box left by the bin that says 60-inch television on it, might piqué the interest of a passing burglar. The best way to stop this is to either collapse your boxes and put them at the bottom of the bin, or if this isn’t possible dispose of them at your local tip.

 

4.    Don’t Display your Gifts

You might want to leave all your wrapped gifts under your tree before the big day. However, if they are easily visible from a window, then this could be a risk. If a burglar can see lots of goodies through the window, he could be more likely to break in. Try to leave all your gifts hidden until at least the night before, so they are safe from anyone looking through your windows.

 

5.    Be Safe at Parties

The festive season is often full of social events and parties, which can bring other risks. Now that covid cases are rising again in the UK and around the world, some countries started lockdown restrictions again. If you are lucky enough to be able to attend Christmas parties and gatherings this year, make sure you keep your belongings and yourself safe!

Here are what you can do to be safer at parties during Christmas:

• If you do want to get rid of any bags or coats, then its best to use an official coat check, if the place has one.

• You must also never leave your drinks unattended or accept a drink off someone you don’t know. This is because there is a chance your drink has been spiked or tampered with.

• It goes without saying but you must never drink and drive, always plan a lift or get a taxi if you have had more than one drink at a party.

For most people Christmas really is the most wonderful time of the year, so make sure it stays that way by protecting you, your family, and your home.

Regardless of size or type, any business can be a victim of broken locks, lock outs and in extreme unfortunate situations, burglary.  As a business owner or manager, the security of your business is going to be one of your top priorities and it’s therefore vital that you can trust those who offer you commercial security services.

This blog will take you through why a commercial Locksmith should always be on top of your business contacts so that your business remains secure!

 

What is a Commercial Locksmith?

Commercial Locksmiths are highly skilled individuals who specialise in commercial security for businesses. Often experts both commercially and domestically, these Locksmith hold a vast knowledge and experience which a business owner can utilise to get tailored Locksmith services to best maximise a business’ security.

 

Why Should you use a Commercial Locksmith?

Whilst they are not only some of the top experts in their field of work, but commercial Locksmiths also often have a more expansive skill set that allows them to work with the particular locks and security systems often found in commercial establishments and provide security solutions tailored to individual businesses.

Commercial Locksmiths also tend to offer their commercial clients more flexible payment terms, like paying with invoices rather than on completion.

For more information about commercial Locksmiths for different businesses, visit our commercial Locksmith page!

 

Commercial Locksmith Services

Replacing a Lock

The odd lock change thanks to a lost or broken key is a common occurrence for commercial businesses, and to ensure the job is done properly so that the business’ security is maintained, you’ll want to call out an expert Locksmith.

A commercial Locksmith will arrive to site with a fully stocked van in order to complete a job in one visit where possible and ensure that the security of your business is secured.

Safe Services

Most businesses will have a safe somewhere onsite and unfortunately, keys can be lost or their locking systems can break so you’ll need someone that can get you into your safe to access whatever valuables are stored in there!

Upgraded Security

You might be looking for a bit of extra security for your business, whether it’s heftier locks that are more resistant to break ins or window restrictors for health and safety. Commercial Locksmith are great to utilise for this as you can use their expertise and experience to make your business more secure and your investments safer.

Key Suites

With multiple doors, entrances and needs for your business you don’t want to have a key for every single door in your business, just think of the size of the keyring! This is where key suites come in, you can create a master systems of locks where one key can open multiple doors! Expert commercial Locksmiths can measure, order, install and optimise this system for you to make your business more security and more efficient.

 

Advice

If you are opening up a new business/ or office, a commercial Locksmith can help you establish your business’ security.  Whether it’s changing locks, adding more security, or identifying weak points in your security, a commercial Locksmith can use their expertise to help you!

 

Emergency Lockout Response

Unfortunately, lock outs happen all the time, whether the lock has stopped working, the key has snapped or has been misplaced. Either way, when locked out you want someone reliable to help you get back in and quickly! A commercial Locksmith can be on hand to assist in emergency situation and get you sorted no matter what!

 

Estate Agents and Landlords Locksmith Services

Despite commercial locksmiths’ importance and crucial role in all types of businesses, they should be on top of the list particularly for estate agents and landlords. Often the business with the biggest need for Locksmith service due to the nature of the industry, having a trusted commercial Locksmith on call helps to ensure that any issues are sorted efficiently and properties remain secure.

 

Need a Commercial Locksmith?

At the NGCL, our commercial Locksmiths are highly skilled individuals who provide professional, efficient, and effective 24-hour services using extensive industry experience. We offer a range of different services to suit all commercial needs, offering solutions to a variety of different scenarios and situations, whatever the issue we have the expertise to help.

All our locksmiths are DBS checked, efficient, professional, and overall experienced to ensure that unbeatable Locksmith solutions are provided to efficiently solve and issues our customers might face.

When you’re having issues with your lock and in need of an emergency locksmith, it’s important to know how to choose not only a trusted and reliable locksmith, but also someone that is going to provide the best service for your needs.

Whether that includes lock maintenance, repair or an emergency lockout, choosing the right locksmith is key. Read on to find out the most important aspects to consider when searching and subsequently choosing the best locksmith for you. 

1. Be Clear About the Kind of Locksmith Services You’re Seeking

There are many different areas in the industry varying locksmiths cover. That is why it’s crucial that you are clear about the locksmith services you need and in turn find a locksmith that is skilled in providing the services you need in particular. 

You want to ensure that they are knowledgeable, safe and can deliver the service to a high standard. After all, hiring a locksmith is a security matter for your home and business. Let’s take a look at some of the distinguishing locksmiths out there:

Emergency Locksmiths

Despite the fact that many advertise themselves as a 24 hour locksmith, you may need one who specialises in the area of emergencies. That’s because only emergency locksmiths are truly available 24 hours and 7 days a week. 

For example, if you are locked out, have just snapped your key in the lock or are trying to secure your home in the middle of the night, you’ll need an emergency Locksmith who provides a 24 hour service with an emergency response time. 

A directive of the NGCL is to protect our customers whatever time that may be. NGCL locksmiths can be on site within 30 minutes of being contacted for any and all emergency situations. All of our emergency locksmiths give ETAs as soon as they’re booked as well as live time updates so you are assured of us arriving on time.

All NGCL members go through a thorough vetting process to ensure they are trained to the highest level within the industry so your safety and quality needs are met. If you are ever in need of an emergency locksmith, remember to call 0808 169 8069 as soon as possible.

 

Domestic and Commercial Locksmiths

If you need a lock changed or are looking for security upgrades, you’ll just need someone that offers general locksmith services and carries a variety of stock on board to get the job done in one visit where possible.

However, when it comes to commercial properties, the qualities an owner prioritises when it comes to locksmiths is someone that is trustworthy, professional and reliable. Many businesses work with the same locksmith for years. Therefore, a relationship built on trust and efficiency needs to be formed. 

Commercial locksmiths are quite different to domestic ones in the sense where not all local locksmiths have the knowledge, equipment or skills to provide services in a commercial setting. After all, many situations that take place in a commercial setting are unlikely to happen in a domestic one. Professional commercial locksmiths are able to better understand the different scenarios that take place in commercial settings. 

If you’re in need of an experienced commercial locksmith, we recommend contacting the Business Accounts team at Keytek® Locksmiths. 

Safe Specialists

Most Locksmiths will have experience with safes, or at the very least can open one destructively. However, with so many different types of safes and locking systems, it’s always best to describe your safe to the Locksmith so they can let you know whether it’s a job they’re capable of doing. 

Locksmiths who advertise as safe specialists will often have an in depth understanding of safes and can provide a far wider range of services. This includes the ability to open up a safe and protect your files, data or valuables without inflicting any damage. 

 

Auto Locksmith

You might think that all locksmiths are able to unlock a car but in actual fact this isn’t the case. Auto locksmiths are a lot more technical. A specialised auto locksmith will provide swift solutions for any type of vehicle.

Older cars can often be opened by a general locksmith but if you have a newer car or a more expensive model, you will most likely need an auto locksmith as they will have experience with not only car locks but the electronic locking system and internal car computer. 

However, you always want to ensure that you find an auto locksmith that is a highly trained professional so the vehicle’s surface is not damaged when removing or opening a broken key. 

Most locksmiths will have a crossover of experience from all of the specialties but you should always try to describe your problem to them as accurately as you can so they can let you know if they’re best suited for the job.

2. Recommendations and Word of Mouth

Once you have found a Locksmith who can provide the service you need, it’s time for one of the most vital steps — to ask friends or family who have had lock work done for any recommendations. 

Once you’ve gotten a personal opinion, we also recommend taking a look at review sites. Not only will checking reviews help you choose a trusted locksmith, but it will also help you choose from the best local locksmiths among other competitors.

Most locksmiths will use independent review sites such as Google, Trustpilot, Yell or Checkatrade and will have a profile where previous customers can leave a review. Don’t just rely on bigger review sites, take a look at social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook for increased transparency.

Despite reviews being really good indicators of the way a company operates and how a locksmith provides their services, remember that anyone can leave a review without actually being a customer!

 

3. Verifying Their Skill Level

Ask yourself some questions when looking for a Locksmith to understand what experience they might have and if they are safe to use.

• Have they been operating for a long period of time?
• Have they had formal training?
• Are they qualified/accredited?
• Are they DBS Checked?

If a locksmith claims to be accredited, make sure you check the accreditation being claimed is true. False claims of accreditation could greatly jeopardise your safety. All of our locksmiths are accredited to at least a level 3 and have had all the necessary training for the service they are offering. 

If you’re a fully trained locksmith who prioritises customers and considering becoming a member of the NGCL, you can read more about the criteria here.

 

4. Make Sure the Costs Are Fair

Be wary of any locksmiths that aren’t clear about their prices. Some could prey on the vulnerability of those in need of an emergency locksmith and can charge outrageous prices. 

Get a written estimate for the cost of services beforehand and confirm with the locksmith that it covers all the related fees and charges. Get in contact with one of our local locksmiths, explain the job that needs doing and they will agree on a price with you before starting any work. 

 

NGCL Locksmiths

The National Guild of Certified Locksmiths provides our customers with a platform to be connected to professional, expert local locksmiths where quality is assured and customer service is the top priority. All of our locksmiths are DBS checked, accredited and some of the top experts in the industry. Find your local Locksmith here!

For more information on how a locksmith can help you in many different ways and for some tips on security matters click here.