Reasons to Call an Out of Hours Locksmith and What You Need to Know If You Do

Locksmith out of hours charges can be 50% more than at other times. Some emergency jobs can wait in order to save money and others are urgent. In this post we talk about emergency situations which must be addressed without delay to maintain the security and integrity of your property.

What is an Out of Hours Locksmith?

Out of hours rates usually apply after 5pm in the evening and before 9am in the morning. At these times locksmiths are usually on call from home. If you find you have a direct line to a locksmith (as opposed to a call center) they can be receiving calls whilst eating dinner or sleeping or may be working at another job.

Reasons to Call an Out of Hours Locksmith

The rule of thumb is you need to call an emergency locksmith if:

• Your property is not secure from intruders
• You are locked out or in and need a door opened urgently

1) Emergency Lockouts

These can range from

• Someone without keys who needs to gain access – we always require ID, to connect the customer to the property, for anyone who doesn’t have keys. The ID could be within the property
• A failed lock – it may need to be repaired or replaced
• People locked outside a property and need urgent access
• People (often young children) locked inside a property

If the property is secure and no one is locked in it is worth considering staying with someone until the morning, if you can.

2) You Have Been Burgled

This is a common reason to call a 24 hour emergency locksmith. If the property is not secure it is a priority to fix and change the locks without delay. The reason is, that it is not uncommon for intruders to return to the scene of the crime and attempt a repeat invasion.

3) Lost or stolen keys

If there is any chance a stranger could gain access to your home it is vital to arrange an emergency lock change as soon as possible.

4) Faulty or Broken Locks

If your locks have failed and you find that you are either locked out of your house, or locked in you, will need a locksmith to help you first gain access and then repair or replace the locks depending on what is required in the particular circumstances.

Home Security Upgrades

It is common for properties with low security to be targeted by intruders. Following a burglary we often advise upgrading locks and suggest other ways to reinforce doors to increase security levels.

It is also advisable to upgrade door security to prevent being targeted by intruders. A security survey will establish where upgraded door and window security is required. You may also wish to consider high security measures such as high security grilles or shutters.

Door Security Upgrade Options

• High security locks and keys – which cannot be easily forced or overcome
• Hinge bolts – to prevent a door being lifted off the hinges
• Birmingham and London bars – to strengthen the door frame
• High security grilles – to add an extra layer of security – bespoke design security grilles can be installed on the inside or the outside of windows and doors.

High security measures like these can prevent doors ‘being kicked in‘ as seen in Totteridge last week. Luckily the home that was targeted had sufficient security to prevent the intruders gaining access.

Prevention is the way to go when it comes to security. Avoiding intrusion is a priority many don’t realise until it is too late.

Out of Hours Locksmith Costs

With out of hours costs at least 50% higher than costs during the day, it is advisable to try to call between 9am – 5pm if you can.

Factors Influencing Out of Hours Locksmith Costs

There are a range of factors influencing the cost of an emergency call out such as;

1. If the locksmith is honest and accredited
2. The time you call
3. If the locksmith you call is local
4. The area you live in – is it easy to access and park, are there road tax charges?
5. Exactly what the job entails – a lock replacement will cost more than an opening (because parts are required), and a straightforward opening will cost more than a more complex opening

Calling an Master Locksmith out of hours, or any time, ensures you will be quoted a fair price for the work.

Typical Out of Hours Locksmith Charges

It is good to have an idea of what you can expect to pay for out of hours call outs with a reliable emergency locksmith in London.

The cost of calling an emergency locksmith out for a basic job in North London should be at least £100 (with daytime rates starting at £70). This could be higher depending on what the job entails.

Be wary of locksmiths online quoting £49 for an emergency call out because it is an unrealistic price, and you could become the latest in a long line of victims of the common ‘bait and switch’ scam used by rogue locksmiths.

Finding an Out of Hours Locksmith Near You

To make sure you are getting a fair price for high quality workmanship and service, choose an MLA Approved locksmith and ask for a fixed price.

What To Expect During an Out of Hours Call Out

The locksmith should do a couple of things before booking the job in:

1. First, they should ask you for details of the job (they may ask you to send pictures) – giving a price without knowing the details of the job is a red flag!
2. They should quote a fixed price – if they don’t say it is a fixed price ask them to confirm this.
3. They should give you an estimated time of arrival – a promise online to arrive in 30 minutes is not valid.
4. You should confirm that you agree and would like to go ahead.

Things to expect when the locksmiths arrives:

1. You would expect them to be on time.
2. You would expect them to be professional and courteous.
3. If there are any price changes due to something that could not have been predicted you would expect the locksmith to discuss and agree any price changes with you before going ahead with the work. You should only pay for work agreed and completed. Don’t expect to pay a call out fee!
4. Finally you would expect the locksmith to leave the property tidy and in good repair.

IKS Locksmiths, Professional Security Specialists

IKS provides an excellent value emergency locksmith service in North London. Our vans are fully stocked and ready to complete jobs on the spot. We also provide a free security survey, lock upgrades, security grille installation and security safe Fitting across London, Hertfordshire and Essex.

Contact us for a full range of professional security services.