Get Quotes from Top Locksmiths in Philadelphia, PA

Are You Licensed to Practice as a Locksmith in Philadelphia?

Locksmiths in Philadelphia are not required to obtain any state or city-issued occupational license before offering their services. However, to provide locksmith services in Philadelphia, a locksmith business must first register and obtain a business license from the Philadelphia Department of Business and Self-Employment.

Before starting a business, the locksmith must determine the structure they want to establish. After determining the type of structure they want, the applicants must establish an identification number through Internal Revenue Services. This can either be a Social Security Number or a federally assigned Employer Identification Number (EIN).

In addition, applicants must also register a city tax account number and other applicable business taxes. To apply for a tax account number, individuals can go to the city's eFile/ePay website or visit the physical location of the Philadelphia Department of Revenue In person at:

Alternatively, the applicant can submit a completed business tax account application form via mail:

After establishing the tax account, the business owner will need to apply for a Commercial Activity License (CAL) from the Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections. The applicant can apply online via eCLIPSE. They can also schedule a virtual appointment to submit at the License and Permit Center in person at:

Aside from meeting the city's requirements, applicants must also register with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania through the Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations of the Pennsylvania Department of State. To complete the necessary steps applicants can use an online guide to business registration on the P.A. Business One-Stop-Shop platform, which is operated by the state's Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations.

After all the necessary documents and taxes have been secured, the locksmith business can now be registered and issued a business license in Philadelphia. This will allow them to provide their services in the city. To learn more about the licensing and registration procedures for businesses in Philadelphia, you can contact the City's Department of Business and Self-Employment and the City's Department of Licenses and Inspections by submitting an online request to 311 or call 311. If you are in another city, you can call (215) 686-8686.

If you would like to confirm that the locksmith contractor you're planning on hiring has been registered in Philadelphia, you can contact 311 or submit a request to 311.

Do You Hold Any Certification as a Locksmith?

When choosing a good locksmith in Philadelphia, one should consider the individual's credentials, such as professional certification and trade association membership. Having these credentials can be a good indication of their expertise and professionalism. In addition to being able to demonstrate their expertise, membership in an association also gives a locksmith advantage over their competitors:

• Access to better training and industry resources on current lock and security system-related technological developments
• Adequate insurance and bonding
• Access to state-of-the-art tools and equipment

Being a part of a trade association or holding professional certifications can also help a locksmith stand out from the crowd. These individuals usually exhibit higher levels of professionalism and are more dependable and trustworthy. This ensures that their services will deliver the best possible results. As such, when looking for a good locksmith in Philadelphia, you should consider the individual's credentials alongside their licensing status.

Some organizations that provide training and certification programs for professional locksmith professionals in the Philadelphia area include the Associated Locksmiths of America (ALOA), the Society of Professional Locksmiths (SOPL), the Greater Philadelphia Locksmiths' Association, and the Central Pennsylvania Locksmith Association. These organizations also offer various programs for interested individuals.

• ALOA Fundamental Locksmith Certification
• Registered Locksmith Certification
• Certified Registered Locksmith Certification
• Certified Professional Locksmith Certification
• Certified Master Locksmith Certification
• Certified Automotive Locksmith Certification
• Certified Master Automotive Locksmith Certification
• Certified Professional SafeTech Certification
• Certified Master SafeTech Certification
• Certified Forensic Locksmith Certification
• Certified Electronic Locksmith Certification
• Certified Master Electronic Locksmith Certification
• Certified Institutional Lockshop Manager Certification
• Institutional Certified Registered Locksmith Certification
• Institutional Certified Professional Locksmith Certification
• Institutional Certified Master Locksmith Certification

Before hiring a good locksmith in Philadelphia, ensure you thoroughly check the credentials of the individual with the issuing organization.

How Much Do You Charge Compared to Other Locksmiths in the City?

In Philadelphia, you can expect to pay around $100 to $150 for a locksmith's services. However, their actual charges will be influenced by various factors such as:

• Trip fees
• The types of locks involved
• The urgency of the required services
• The time of day
• The complexity of the job
• Your location in Philadelphia
• The nature and scope of the services you require

Before you start working with a locksmith, it is essential that you and the company agree on the terms and conditions of the contract. Doing so will help avoid misunderstandings and arguments later on when the work is completed. Another important step that you should take is to get and compare the rates of multiple locksmith service providers in the city. Doing so will allow you to avoid getting ripped off by a shady locksmith. When choosing a local locksmith, be wary of companies whose rates are lower than the competition. This is typically the tactic used by shady operators to get clients.

What Kind of Locksmith Services Do You Offer?

In Philadelphia, a professional locksmith can provide four primary services such as residential, commercial, automotive, and emergency services. These skilled locksmiths provide various services under these four groups, including:

• Re-keying
• Key replacements
• New lock installations
• Existing lock repair
• Broken key removal
• High-security lock installations
• Key cutting and copying
• Mobile locksmith services
• Building lockout services
• Car lockout services
• Auto and motorcycle lock services
• Door and window lock repair
• Electronic access installation
• Smart lock installations
• Safe selection and installation
• Safe unlocking and repair
• Home and office security lock upgrades
• Emergency locksmith services
• Access system installation, replacement, and repair

Although many professional locksmith services are offered in the city, it is still essential to confirm that the locksmith you hire has the necessary skills and experience to handle the specific types of tasks that you need. Before you start working with the professional, make sure that you thoroughly discuss the details of the services that you want to receive. Also, ensure that you get the necessary guarantees and agreements in writing regarding the services you want from the professional. This will help prevent misunderstandings and disputes in the future.

The average prices of various locksmith services in Philadelphia are listed below:

Estimates for locksmith services based on the type of service:

Estimates for locksmith services based on the type of lock being installed/replaced (materials only):

Estimates for locksmith services based on the locksmith's expertise/level of experience

Do You Provide Auto Locksmith Services in Philadelphia?

Around 20 million Americans lose their house and car keys each year, making these items one of the country's most common types of lost items. It can be a frustrating experience to lose your keys, especially if it puts the safety of your vehicle at risk. To avoid this, it is important that you immediately contact a professional locksmith that can help you with your ket problems and get you back on track.

When dealing with the issue of lost or damaged motorcycle keys, it is important to ensure that the company you choose has the necessary professional locksmith to handle such a situation. This is because motorcycle manufacturers use unique coding for their keys, unlike other types of vehicle keys. This means specialized tools and training are required to cut new ones regardless of whether you have the original key.

Before hiring a motorcycle or auto locksmith, ensure they have the necessary experience and training to handle the issue with your vehicle's keys. Also, ask them if they provide mobile locksmith services in addition to their in-shop services. You should additionally request a list of pricing options for their services.

Listed below are some of the services commonly provided by car and motorcycle locksmith companies in Philadelphia and how much they charge:

Do You Provide Emergency Locksmith Services?

While it's generally considered urgent to have a lock or key issue, it is important to consider getting in touch with a local Philadelphia locksmith who can provide immediate assistance if you are caught up in the following scenarios:

• Your keys got stolen
• Your house just got robbed
• You are locked out of your home, office, or vehicle
• You have misplaced your house, office, or car keys
• You just moved into a new apartment and need the locks changed
• You cannot remember the combination to your safe
• Your home's access control system is malfunctioning
• Your lock is damaged, or the key is broken inside
• You locked your keys inside your home, office, or car
• You suspect that an intruder has gained unauthorized access to your personal space

Maintaining a level-headed approach when dealing with emergencies such as these is important. You should also ensure that the locksmith you hire is licensed and experienced to offer emergency services. One way to find a reputable and licensed emergency locksmith near you is by using online directories operated by various organizations, such as the Better Business Bureau and Associated Locksmiths of America. Note that charges will vary depending on the emergency. Some locksmith companies charge additional fees for certain services, especially when these are carried out outside regular business hours.

You may consider hiring a mobile locksmith when dealing with lock and key issues. These types of locksmiths operate out of their mobile workshops, which provides them with various advantages over in-shop locksmiths, such as:

• Faster response times
• 24/7 availability
• No towing fees for car-related emergencies
• Better access to difficult-to-reach job locations
• More on-the-job experience and efficiency due to the high volume of jobs typically received and carried out

24-hour locksmith services, such as KeyMe and MinuteKey, help with certain key-related emergencies. These services allow people to create digital copies of their keys and save them online. They can also be used to make duplicates of their keys whenever needed. Unfortunately, these types of services have certain disadvantages:

• You may not be able to access any available self-service kiosks near you.
• You risk giving strangers access to digital copies of your key.
• Most self-service kiosks, unfortunately, can't duplicate high-security keys. This usually happens with high-security keys.

You should consider keeping in contact with a couple of local professional locksmiths. These reliable individuals can help you during emergencies. Aside from having a good and reliable locksmith, you should take certain steps to prevent potential issues related to key problems. Some of them include the following:

• Getting spare keys
• Installing smart locks
• Maintaining your locks properly
• Keeping proper track of all your keys
• Using lockboxes to avoid lockouts
• Using locks that suit your lifestyle and familiarizing yourself with their features

Do You Provide Smart Lock Services?

Smart locks are commonly equipped with Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connectivity and require a voice command or an application to operate them. Since smart locks do not utilize traditional locking mechanisms, the locksmith you intend to hire must have the necessary skills to install, replace, or repair these devices. In addition to being able to operate these devices, a locksmith also needs to have the necessary programming and I.T. knowledge to work on them.

Make sure that the professional locksmith you hire can handle the issue with your smart lock, whether it locks you out, the battery is drained, or the smart lock is compromised. Besides having the necessary skills, the locksmith should also have the necessary knowledge of the operating system that the lock manufacturer uses. Some of the operating technologies that the manufacturers of smart locks commonly use include:

• A mobile app and digital key combination to unlock doors wirelessly
• A programmed numeric keypad with PIN codes to unlock doors
• A fingerprint sensor with biometric authorization to unlock doors

Over 11 million households in the United States have a smart lock. Although many homeowners in Philadelphia are switching to these devices due to their various advantages, such as their better technology and convenience, smart locks still have some downsides to it, like:

Some smart lock manufacturers combine multiple operating technologies into one product to provide their customers with door-opening options. Some of the leading smart lock manufacturers you can find in the city include:

• August
• Schlage
• Lockly
• Kwikset
• Ultralog
• Yale
• Wyze
• Level

Do You Conduct Background Checks on Your Employees?

To ensure that their employees are qualified and trustworthy, locksmith companies in Philadelphia carry out background checks on their potential employees, such as:

• Criminal record checks: One of the most crucial steps a locksmith company must take is conducting a background check on their potential employees. This process usually involves reaching out to federal, state, and local agencies to check if the individual has been convicted of a crime.
• Civil court checks: This process involves going through the municipal and state courts to check if the potential employee has been involved or is involved in any legal dispute.
• Credit checks: This process usually involves checking the entire credit history of the potential employee. This includes their past payments, debts, recent inquiries, and civil judgments.
• Driving record checks: This process is usually performed on people using the company's official vehicles for their work. It involves validating their driving license and checking their driving records to see if they have been involved in any moving violations or DUIs/DWIs.
• Drug screening: This process involves conducting a drug test on the potential employee. These tests are usually conducted after the employee has been hired and are conducted on an ongoing basis.
• Education and employment verification: This process also involves validating the educational credentials and experience of the potential employee.
• International background checks: This process is carried out on people who have lived, studied, or worked in other countries. To get the necessary information, the company usually contacts relevant agencies in the country where the individual worked.

It is important for every locksmith company to conduct background checks on all their potential locksmiths in Philadelphia. Likewise, it is important for you to thoroughly vet the individuals you choose to work with, especially locksmiths who will be handling your lock and key operations. Doing this will help prevent unauthorized access to your possessions and personal space. It also helps minimize the likelihood of robbery and theft.

When dealing with a locksmith company, ensure they thoroughly check the credentials of the locksmiths they are sending to your location. Also, ask them for their names and descriptions and make sure that the company provides them with photo I.D.s that can be used to verify their identity when they get to your location.

In addition to conducting background checks, you can also use the following methods to vet any reputable and experienced Philadelphia-based locksmith you want to hire:

• Checking the records of various local law enforcement agencies and correctional facilities to find out if they have any information on the potential locksmith.
• Using reputable background check websites and services
• Making sure that you ask the locksmith's previous customers for their references. These individuals can vouch for the quality of the service that they provide.
• Conducting a thorough online review of the company to find out if it is reputable. Some platforms you can use include the Better Business Bureau, Yelp, and Google Reviews.

Do You Provide a Warranty for Your Locksmith Services?

When choosing a locksmith service in Philadelphia, one of the most critical factors you should consider is the warranty. These are written guarantees that assure that the work was done properly and that the products were used properly. Although these may be verbal, written, or implied, it is important to hire a locksmith company that offers written ones to be fully aware of their terms and limitations.

In Philadelphia, there are two types of warranties that a professional locksmith can provide their customers, and these include:

• Manufacturer's Warranties: This type of warranty usually covers the locks used for the job. However, it should be noted that if this warranty still covers the installed lock, you might have to contact the manufacturer to resolve related issues. Having a skilled and reliable locksmith service can minimize the likelihood of this happening. This type of warranty is usually issued for a year.
• Workmanship Warranties: This type of warranty covers the labor that the professional locksmith performs, and it assures you that your locks were installed according to the manufacturer's specifications. Like the manufacturer's warranty, workmanship warranties are usually valid for a specific time, usually determined by the locksmith.

The terms and conditions of the warranty vary depending on the type of service that the company provides and the products that it uses. Nonetheless, these warranties are often voided in certain situations, such as:

• The repair or replacement of the lock was handled by a different company or agency than the one that initially installed it.
• The lock was not installed according to the lock manufacturer's specifications.
• The lock was damaged as a result of negligence or misuse.
• The lock was damaged as a result of natural disasters or vandalism.

Before hiring a locksmith service in Philadelphia, ensure you thoroughly understand the terms and conditions of the warranty to avoid voiding it.

Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Locksmiths in the City?

Per Section 301 of the Pennsylvania Workers Compensation Act, a locksmith company must carry workers' compensation insurance for their employees. It is important to confirm that the locksmith company you choose has complied with this before you allow them to start working on your property.

Most locksmith workers get injured on the job due to various hazards, such as lacerations, cuts, electric shocks, and exposure to metal dust and splinters. Hiring a locksmith with adequate general liability insurance coverage will help protect you from legal and financial liability should something happen to them.

As such, before you hire a locksmith, make sure that you request proof of insurance to confirm if they have the proper coverage. Take further by contacting the issuing insurance company to validate the document. Another important thing to check is if they have professional liability insurance, which can cover damages or defects caused by their negligence. You can also contact the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry at (717) 787-5279 to get more information about the insurance requirements for locksmith companies operating in Philadelphia.