Get Quotes from Top Locksmiths in Glendale, CA

What Do I Need to Know Before Hiring a Locksmith in Glendale?

Locksmiths in Glendale do not need an occupational license to offer their services. However, professional locksmiths undergo training and certification with local trade schools and recognized organizations (like the Associated Locksmiths of America). It is in your best interest to hire a certified locksmith. In addition, consider the following factors when searching for locksmiths in Glendale:

• The locksmith's local reputation
• The locksmith's location and availability
• The locksmith's rates
• The urgency of the situation

To enjoy the best locksmith service, contact the right type of locksmith. Depending on your required service, you may need a traditional locksmith or an auto locksmith. Traditional locksmiths handle locks and keys of buildings (commercial, residential, and industrial), while auto locksmiths focus on locks and keys for vehicles (cars, trucks, motorbikes).

Are You Licensed as a Locksmith in Glendale?

Locksmiths in Glendale do not need a locally or state-issued specialty license to offer their services. However, locksmiths with a physical business location in the city need a business license from the Glendale Licensing Office. Professional locksmiths in Glendale also get certifications from reputable locksmith training institutions like the Associated Locksmiths of America, the Institutional Locksmiths Association, and other training institutions in the Glendale area to show professionalism and expertise.

It is in your best interest to hire certified locksmiths, ensuring the job will be handled by well-trained professionals. Always request proof of any certifications a locksmith claims to have before hiring. You can also contact the certifying institution to validate this proof.

What Rates Do You Charge for Your Locksmith Services in Glendale?

Locksmiths in Glendale usually charge $30 - $70 per hour for their services. They may charge a flat rate between $80 and $300 depending on the nature of the service (door, car, or safe). Other factors that can affect the cost of locksmith services in Glendale include:

• Your location
• The urgency of the situation
• The lock type
• The time of the day
• The complexity of the task

Before choosing a locksmith, get estimates from up to three locksmiths and compare their rates. This will give you an idea of the expected cost of your service and protect you from being overcharged. However, avoid hiring locksmiths with significantly lower rates, as this method is used by fraudulent locksmiths to reel in susceptible customers.

What Kind of Locksmith Services Do You Offer?

Experienced locksmiths in Glendale offer various services, from faulty lock repairs and replacements to lock installation in residential and industrial buildings. Common services provided by these locksmiths include:

Before hiring, confirm the locksmith's area of specialization and its relation to your required services. You should agree on the expected cost of these services to prevent misunderstandings and fallouts at the end of the project.

Do You Provide Auto Locksmith Services in Glendale?

Auto locksmiths are to vehicles as traditional locksmiths are to buildings. They specialize mainly in providing locksmith services for cars, trucks, motorcycles, and other vehicles. They are experts in handling the following tasks:

• Car trunk reopening
• Unlocking car doors
• Broken key extraction
• Ignition repair
• Key fob programming
• Broken key extraction
• Key replacement or duplication
• Lock repair or replacement
• Door actuator replacement

While some auto locksmith companies may claim to offer motorcycle locksmith services, it is essential to confirm they have experienced and well-equipped motorcycle locksmiths on staff. This is because specialized training and equipment are required for copying motorcycle keys (they usually have a different coding system from other keys).

You should also confirm that your intended auto or motorcycle locksmith has experience working with your specific vehicle brand and model before finalizing hiring arrangements. This will ensure your project is handled by the best hands available.

Auto locksmiths in Glendale charge varying fees for different services. Estimates of the most common services they provide are listed below:

Do You Provide Emergency or 24-hour Locksmith Services?

Although most lock-related issues are considered emergencies, some problems need the expertise of a locksmith more urgently. These emergencies include:

• You need to change your locks after a burglary
• Your keys are stolen or misplaced
• You get locked out of your car or apartment
• Your key broke inside the lock
• You suspect a break-in or attempted burglary

When faced with any of the situations listed above, it is vital to get a certified and trustworthy locksmith to provide a quick solution. Mobile locksmiths are the perfect option in such situations. As their name implies, these locksmiths operate out of mobile workshops, and they offer the following benefits:

• 24/7 availability
• Faster response time
• Availability is not dependent on location
• No vehicle towing fees, as they can offer services anywhere

You can sign up with alternative locksmith companies like KeyMe and MinuteKey for urgent key copying and duplication services.

It is also a good idea to adopt the following precautions to prevent or minimize the occurrence of lock-related emergencies:

• Get spare keys
• Use lockboxes
• Install smart locks or keyless locks
• Clean and lubricate your locks regularly
• Have the numbers of at least two reliable locksmiths on the speed dial

Do You Conduct Background Checks on Your Employees?

Reputable locksmith-certifying organizations (like the ALOA) require Glendale locksmiths to pass a criminal background check before certification. This is one of the reasons why hiring a certified locksmith is the right move. You should also ensure that the locksmith company you are hiring evaluates its employees to ensure they have a clean criminal record. In addition to criminal records checks, reputable locksmith companies in Glendale carry out the following background checks on their employees:

• Civil record checks
• Credit checks
• Random drug screenings
• Driving record checks
• Previous employment verifications

Confirming your prospective locksmiths and their employees have clean backgrounds and criminal records reduces the likelihood of robberies and other related crimes.

In addition, request the name and description of the locksmith heading to your location and ask to see a corresponding ID before letting them into your home or vehicle.

Do You Offer Any Warranties on Your Locksmith Services?

It is advisable to ask your intended locksmith for warranties before hiring. These warranties assure you the installed or repaired lock will function as intended. Reputable locksmiths in Glendale offer two main types of warranties:

• Workmanship warranty: This covers errors or defects in installation, repair, or replacement done by the locksmith.
• Manufacturer warranty: This covers issues with the locks used for the job and typically lasts about a year.

The specific terms of these warranties vary among locksmiths and products. However, standard warranties do not cover certain damages, like:

• Damage because of natural disasters
• Damage because of misuse, negligence, or vandalism
• Damage resulting from unauthorized repairs
• Damage because of improper lock installation

It is advisable to request a written copy of your warranty to read and understand its unique terms and scope of coverage.