Tips To Hire A Good Locksmith

No matter where you live, it is important to consider the importance of hiring a locksmith. A lock and security provider that is licensed, reputable and insured can help you to protect your property. They can give you peace of mind that no one else can. And they can make sure that any features you decide to purchase for property protection are installed correctly, so they will not fail. Dorchester Locksmith is a trusted locksmith that serves the Dorchester, MA area but they have been kind enough to provide tips that will be helpful to people everywhere. If you are considering hiring a locksmith in the near future, then keep this advice in mind as it will help you to make the best possible decision. There are always businesses everywhere throwing their advertisements at you, and trying to get you to hire them. Unfortunately, many of these businesses use bogus tactics. Many will make broken promises, and others will go so far as to pay people to write fake reviews for them. It is important that you know exactly what to look for so that when the technician shows up at your front door, you will know that you hired the best person for the job. After all, they are going to be gaining access to your property and belongings. 

Tips To Hire The Best Locksmith

1. Make sure that the business is licensed and insured. Some companies will avoid mentioning anything about licensing and insurance on their web site because they simply do not have any. While not mentioning these things on a web site should not be a deal breaker, it is important that you ask and get proof that the company has the accreditation that they are supposed to have. Otherwise, any random stranger who took the time to create a web site or business card could end up gaining access to your property. This is a scary thought and counterintuitive to what you are actually trying to accomplish.
2. Make sure that if you need 24/7 emergency help, this is something that is offered. Most lock and security providers will make themselves available at all hours because they understand that a person can end up locked out at an inconvenient time. They also realize that business owners sometimes need to get into the office before 9AM when most businesses open up for the day, but they can end up misplacing their key in the hustle and bustle of things. See to it that you are able to get the availability you are looking for when hiring a lock and security professional to assist you.
3. Do your research. This might entail checking reviews online or even just talking to trusted friends, reliable neighbors, colleagues and family who have used the services of a locksmith before. How can you spot a company that has fake reviews? Make a note of the date the reviews are posted. Are there 50 reviews posted in the same day? How likely is it that numerous people went online at the same time to share feedback about one relatively small company? Do they all sound like they were written by the same person? Are the reviews posted exactly one week apart? There are sure signs that indicate reviews might not be real. This is a poor tactic that some companies use to convince unsuspecting customers to hire them. Talking with people directly can prove if a business is reputable or not. So one of the best things you can do is ask around.
4. See if the company offers free price quotes and consultations. A company that really wants your business will do what they can to convince you that they are the best. They will do this by offering free price quotes, which allows you to compare their rate to other businesses in the area. They also take the time to answer any questions in a way that is hassle-free. If they tell you that you have to pay for a few minutes of their time, then this is a red flag that they are more focused on making money than actually protecting your property.
5. Make sure that you find a business which is local. When you have a local locksmith you are using, you can trust that you will be able to get last minute help if it is ever needed. If you hire a locksmith to help during a lockout that isn’t anywhere near you, you are probably going to have to pay an excessive fee for the travel, and you are going to have to wait. When you find someone close by, you can trust you will get fast help.
6. See to it that the company offers plenty of services. Most lock and security providers will offer automotive, commercial and residential solutions, making them a good option for a one stop shop. Common services that are offered include key duplication, rekeying locks, lock installation, keyless entry, lockout help, deadbolt installation, lock repair and more. The more options, the better. You should be offered tips on how to protect your property because the person you are speaking with should have a lot of knowledge and experience. At the very least, during a consultation, you should be able to learn about solutions you knew very little about before.

These are just some of the things to keep in mind when looking to hire the best locksmith in Dorchester, no matter where you are located. Of course, Dorchester Locksmith is convenient to those in Dorchester, Massachusetts but you should be able to find a business that is in your city or at least, that provides service to your city because they are in close proximity. Be sure to pay mind to the individual or local business you are hiring, because this is who you will trust to help you keep your most prized possessions and property safe. Good luck in your hunt for the best locksmith in your area!

Types of Locks for Residential and Commercial Use

It can be overwhelming attempting to find the right commercial or residential locks since there are so many to choose from. However, you’re in luck if you live in Dorchester, MA because Dorchester Locksmith can advise you on the type of lock that would be most appropriate for your needs. It can often be helpful when someone simply spells things out for you. Below you will find a few of the most widely used types of locks used today for both commercial and residential use. Even though you may already be familiar with the most common locks used, such as deadbolt, lever locks, padlocks and knob locks, you may not be familiar with how they work. Knowing how these and others actually work, may help you narrow down your options.

1. Deadbolt Locks

Most people don’t realize that there are three different types of deadbolt locks, double, single and thumb turn deadbolt locks. Single cylinder deadbolt locks are used most commonly in homes. This is when a key cylinder is used on the exterior of the door with the thumb turn on the interior of the door that allows you to open the door. The only downside to this type of lock is that you will always have to have the key to open from either side. This could pose a real safety threat because if you’re unable to locate the key, you won’t be able to unlock the deadbolt. Having a key on the inside of the door is recommended in cases of an emergency. The thumb turn deadbolt offers both the single and the double cylinder. The thumb turns inside functions like a single cylinder deadbolt. The only difference is that a thumb turn deadbolt can be locked with the key. Maximum security is offered when you sue a thumb turn lock.

2. Padlocks

A padlock is a secure lock but it isn’t permanent. They come in various sizes and easily be moved to wherever they are needed. There is a combination padlock or a keyed padlock. When you purchase a combination padlock, you use a sequence of numbers to unlock and lock the padlock. A keyed padlock is offered in rekeyable and non-rekeyable. When you have a non-rekeyable lock, you are not able to change the lock. A key-retaining lock will not enable you to lock the door when the lock is open.

3. Rim/Mortise Locks

You will often find these types of locks are used for commercial doors and in apartments. These two locks are similar in certain areas but use different hardware. The rim cylinder lock is placed on the inside of a door. It has a long metal piece that goes into the back of the lock, which eventually connects with the lock mechanism on the opposite side of the door. A mortise lock has hardware on the inside of the door. The lock uses a cam to connect the locking hardware and is held together by a setscrew. These types come in different lengths and are offered with a different cams depending on the type of mortise hardware that is used.

4. Knob Locks

The knob locks are typically found on the exterior of the home door. These types of locks should not be used as your primary lock. The lock cylinder on a knob lock is situated inside the knob and not inside the door. This means it is easy to break the knob and gain access the lock and unlock features. This type of lock is a lot more useful for doors inside your home and should be used in addition to a deadbolt lock, if used as a primary lock.

5. Lever Handle Locks

The lever handle lock is often installed on the interior door of commercial businesses. They provide easy accessibility by simply pushing down on the handle to open. The lever handle lock makes your business handicap accessible.

6. Wall Mounted Locks

These types of locks are also used for commercial businesses. The come in handy for more than just security. They are also used to store keys used for the business. It isn’t unusual that this type of lock is also used as a safe. The wall-mounted lock is often installed while the building is being constructed. Some wall-mounted locks feature alarm sensors that are able to detect entry that has not been authorized.

7. Jimmy Proof Deadbolts

These types of locks can generally be found on apartment doors. You are not able to make many modifications to the door that this type of lock will be installed on. Since the lock connects to the jamb bracket, it is very hard to force apart. It is easy to install since it screws right into the inside the door. Only a hole needs to be drilled through the door in order to install the rim cylinder.

8. Rim Latch Locks

This lock has a rim cylinder on one side and surface mount latch on the other. This is another lock that is primarily used on apartment complex doors. Again, this wouldn’t be the type of lock that you would want to use as your primary lock without using another more durable type of lock, such as a deadbolt.

9. Interchangeable Core Cylinder

Mostly found on the doors of larger businesses, this type of lock is known for their ability to easily open and rekey. Re-keying this type of lock can occur without taking the lock apart. The only thing that needs to be changed is the core. Two different types of keys will open an interchangeable core cylinder, a standard key and control key. This lock is useful because you don’t need to change the locks hardware in order to change the lock.  The lock can be upgraded at any time. You cannot, however, install this type of lock with a deadbolt lock or locks that do not work with interchangeable core cylinders. This is identified by the figure eight on the outside of the lock.