Why you should rekey the locks when you move in
Who else might hold a key to your new place, what rekeying actually changes, and when replacement is the better call.
Read the articleWashington, DC locksmith line
The truth about "best locksmith" claims
Search for a locksmith and every ad says it is the top choice in town. None of those words help you at the door. A few simple checks do.
- Price quoted before work starts
- Written estimate on request
- Ask the locksmith for ID at the door
Anyone can type a superlative into an ad. Nobody checks it. That is why so many locksmith listings sound alike, all glowing adjectives and no detail. They are marketing, not evidence.
02 Part 1
Superlatives are free
It is worth being honest about this site, too. The terms say plainly that the number here belongs to a referral service that passes calls to independent locksmith contractors. The name on the site is used for advertising. You should know that before you call, and you should apply the checks below to whoever arrives.
03 Part 2
What actually matters at the door
- Identification. Ask for a name and photo ID, and check it matches the job you booked.
- A written estimate. Before drilling, cutting or replacing anything, get the total in writing: trip charge, labor and parts.
- Who invoices you. You should know which business is billing you and how to reach it later.
- A clear method. Ask how the lock will be opened. Drilling should be a last resort and explained.
- Proof you belong. A careful locksmith asks you for ID before opening a home or car. Be glad of it.
None of these require you to know anything about locks. They just require asking.
04 Part 3
Red flags
Watch for a phone quote that changes sharply once the locksmith sees the door, for pressure to replace a lock that only needed opening, and for a refusal to write anything down. A locksmith who goes straight to the drill on a standard lock, without explanation, is another warning sign.
Very low phone prices are a classic lure. A starting price is only a starting price; the price list on this site says exactly that in its footnotes, and you should expect the same honesty from anyone.
05 Part 4
Licensing and the District
Rules on locksmith licensing differ between states and cities, and they change. Rather than rely on a claim in an ad, ask the locksmith directly what credentials they hold and check anything they tell you with the issuing body.
Reviews help a little, as long as they are specific: a named neighborhood, a described job, a price. Vague five-star praise tells you as little as the ad does.
06 Part 5
A shortcut
Do the research before you need it. Pick a locksmith on a calm afternoon, save the number and keep a spare key with someone you trust. Then the day you are standing on a Capitol Hill stoop in the rain, you are not choosing from ads. The home page lists the questions to ask on the phone, and the neighborhood hubs note the local quirks of each area.
07 Questions
Questions readers ask
Does a locksmith need a license in Washington, DC?
Ask the locksmith what they hold and verify it with the issuing authority. Rules vary by place and change over time, so a direct check beats any ad.
Is a very low phone quote a good sign?
Not by itself. Ask what the quote includes and get the full figure in writing before work begins.
Who is responsible if something goes wrong?
The contractor who did and invoiced the work. Keep the invoice; any warranty comes from them.
08 Related
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