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

No matter how urgent you need a locksmith service, do not hire anyone to work on your home's or vehicle's lock without ensuring they are qualified and credible to provide safe and satisfactory service. Locksmiths do not require any occupation-specific license to operate in Pittsburg. However, they may obtain voluntary certifications from professional associations. Consider whether your prospective locksmith has completed a training program and obtained proper certifications. Other factors to consider when searching for locksmiths in Pittsburg include:

• Your preferred locksmith's current location and availability
• The urgency of the situation
• The locksmith's rates

Depending on the type of lock that will be worked on, you need to get either a traditional or auto locksmith. Traditional locksmiths generally focus on buildings, while auto locksmiths focus on vehicles.

Are You Licensed as a Locksmith in Pittsburgh?

Locksmiths do not require any occupation-specific license to operate in Pittsburg. Still, it is recommended these professionals complete relevant training and obtain voluntary locksmith certifications from professional associations such as Aloa Security Professional Association, Inc. and the North American Locksmith Association. These associations offer many locksmith certifications, including master, automotive, and electronic locksmithing certifications.

Before choosing a locksmith to work with in Pittsburgh, confirm if they are certified by a professional association. Confirming whether your prospective locksmith is certified ensures you will be working with a credible professional and guarantees optimal and satisfactory services. Certified locksmiths usually follow industry standards while carrying out their tasks. To verify any certification claim a prospective locksmith makes, you can request to see their certificate and contact the relevant association for confirmation.

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

Pittsburgh locksmiths usually charge average rates of $26 - $60 per hour. Some locksmiths in the city may also charge per lock with a flat fee for the visit. However, a typical locksmith job in Pittsburg costs an average of $100 - $300, depending on the nature of your service (whether house, car, or safe-related) and other factors like:

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

We recommend getting and comparing estimates from multiple locksmiths in the city before hiring. This ensures you get the average market price for your service and protects you against dishonest locksmiths who deliberately inflate the cost of the service.

What Kind of Locksmith Services Do You Offer?

Professional locksmiths in Pittsburgh typically offer many services, including but not limited to key cutting and lockout services, lock repair, installation of new locks, and unlocking and repairing safes. Listed below are commonly requested locksmith services in Pittsburgh and the average price range for these services:

Consider your intended locksmith's specialization and expertise before signing a service contract. You should discuss and agree on the cost of the required service and ensure the agreed price and any other promises made by the locksmith are included in your service contract before they begin the job. Doing this will protect you against misunderstandings and disputes after completing the task.

Do You Provide Auto Locksmith Services in Pittsburgh?

An auto locksmith specializes in unlocking vehicles and replacing car keys. These technicians in Pittsburg can help you with the following:

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

While auto locksmiths provide many lockout solutions, they may not have the expertise to address lock-related problems on motorcycles. This is because motorcycle keys have a different coding system, requiring specialized equipment to cut. If you need assistance with your motorcycle's key or lock, we recommend contacting a trained and equipped motorcycle locksmith. Most automotive locksmith companies in Pittsburgh have at least one motorcycle locksmith providing lock-related services.

Below are the estimated costs of frequently requested auto locksmith services in Pittsburgh. Ensure that the locksmith you choose has sufficient experience working with your vehicle or motorcycle make and model:

Do You Provide Emergency or 24-hour Locksmith Services?

A lock emergency includes any issue that requires the attention of a locksmith. Pittsburgh locksmiths offer different kinds of emergency services, such as:

• House lockout
• Lock rekeying
• Burglary repairs
• Ignition switch repair
• Car key extraction
• Car door lock repair
• Mailbox lock rekey
• Safe combination correction

During an emergency, you may be tempted to hire the first locksmith you find. However, we advise you to check the credentials of any professional you plan to entrust with your home security equipment. Ensure the individual you hire in these situations is certified and can provide a list of verifiable references.

Emergency services usually cost more as the locksmith will consider the time of the day or night and your current location when calculating the service cost. Mobile locksmiths are a good option to consider during emergencies. These locksmiths typically operate out of mobile workshops and offer benefits like:

• Faster response times
• 24/7 availability
• Better accessibility to remote locations
• Little to no towing fees for auto emergencies

You can reduce the occurrence of lockouts and other locksmith-related emergencies by taking the following preventive measures:

• Get spare keys
• Use lockboxes
• Install smart locks
• Save the contact details of at least two trusted nearby locksmiths
• Consider signing up with self-service locksmith brands like KeyMe and Minutekey that provide digital key copying and duplication services
• Save the contact details of at least two trusted nearby locksmiths

Do You Conduct Background Checks on Your Employees?

Professional locksmith companies in Pittsburgh conduct background checks on prospective employees before hiring. Some of these background checks include:

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

By conducting these background checks on prospective employees, locksmith companies ensure that only honest professionals are sent to a client's home or location. Before allowing anyone to work on your home's lock, ask your prospective locksmith company to provide proof that the individual sent to you has passed the relevant background checks. You should also request the name and description of the locksmith heading to you and ensure they provide a corresponding ID before granting them access to your home or vehicle.

Do You Offer Any Warranties on Your Locksmith Services?

Reputable Pittsburg locksmiths typically provide warranties that cover their services and the materials used for these services. Nevertheless, confirm this from your prospective locksmith before signing any agreement. Professional locksmiths in Pittsburgh typically offer two types of warranties:

• A manufacturer's warranty that covers any defects and issues with the actual locks (usually valid for about a year)
• A workmanship warranty that covers defects or errors caused by the locksmith

While the scope of warranties typically varies depending on the locksmith, you should ensure that any warranty you offer has a clear scope of coverage. Ensure you get a written copy of the warranty to review its terms and conditions thoroughly. Note that warranties generally do not cover damages caused by:

• Improper lock installation
• Misuse, negligence, or vandalism
• Unauthorized repairs
• Natural disasters