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

Locksmiths in Baltimore need a license from Maryland's Department of Labor and Licensing (DLLR) before serving in the city. Hiring a licensed locksmith offers you higher security, professionalism, and expertise. Locksmiths in Baltimore can provide various services related to security systems, locks, and keys and help you with emergencies. However, when choosing a locksmith, take the following factors into consideration to help you make an informed decision:

• Local reputation and the type of work they can handle
• The locksmith's rates
• The availability and current location of the locksmith
• The urgency of the situation

Always hire competent and qualified locksmiths to ensure an efficient job. Depending on the situation, contact an auto or a traditional locksmith. Traditional locksmiths are skilled in various aspects of building-related lock issues, including in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings, while auto locksmiths specifically deal with vehicle locks and keys.

Are You Licensed as a Locksmith in Baltimore?

Any locksmith that offers their services in Baltimore must obtain a state-issued license from Maryland's Department of Labor and Licensing (DLLR) before they can legally do so. Locksmiths who wish to be licensed by the DLLR must meet specific qualification criteria, which include:

• Being at least 18 years old
• Passing a background check
• Paying all stipulated fees
• Proof of liability insurance
• Complete a background check for all employees
• Be in good standing with the Maryland Department of Assessment and Taxation

When considering a locksmith to work on your locks, keys, and security system, we recommend confirming they hold an appropriate license to provide the services you need. You can verify your preferred locksmith's licensing status via the DLLR's License Search platform. Contact Maryland's Department of Labor and Licensing (DLLR) at (410) 230-6159 for queries concerning licensing requirements and procedures for locksmiths in Baltimore.

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

Locksmiths in Baltimore charge around $30 to $60 an hour for their services. Nevertheless, Baltimore locksmith services will usually cost you an average of $50 - $200 depending on the type of service and other factors, including:

• The nature and scope of the lock services
• The types of locks involved
• The urgency of the required services and the time of day
• The complexity of the job

Therefore, before hiring, you should get and compare cost estimates from at least three locksmiths in Baltimore. This will help you avoid hiring a shady locksmith who is trying to overcharge for their services. However, don't hire your preferred locksmith based on costs alone. Ensure the locksmith you hire is licensed, experienced, insured, and reliable.

What Kind of Locksmith Services Do You Offer?

Professional locksmiths in Baltimore generally offer residential, commercial, automotive, and emergency services. Listed below are average price ranges for common locksmith services in Baltimore, including but not limited to:

Many skilled locksmiths in the city specialize in offering one or more distinct locksmith services. Hence, always confirm that your preferred locksmith is experienced to deliver your required services satisfactorily. This also helps avoid future disputes and misunderstandings.

Do You Provide Auto Locksmith Services in Baltimore City?

A car locksmith in Baltimore typically specializes in providing various services related to automotive locks, keys, and security systems for cars, trucks, and motorcycles. They are skilled at tasks such as:

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

Hiring skilled and equipped auto locksmiths is essential if the affected vehicle is a motorcycle. This is because motorcycle manufacturers use unique coding for their keys, which is different from other vehicle keys. Specialized tools and training are required when replacing motorcycle keys, even if you have the original one. Therefore, always confirm the motorcycle or automotive locksmith you hire has the necessary skills and experience to work on your specific model or make of vehicle.

Listed below are common services provided by auto and motorcycle locksmiths in Baltimore, including the cost estimates for these services:

Do You Provide Emergency or 24-hour Locksmith Services?

Even though key and lock-related issues are considered urgent, you may need the immediate services of a Baltimore locksmith in specific emergencies, like:

• Your house just got robbed
• You locked your keys inside your home or car
• Your keys got stolen
• You just moved into a new apartment and need the locks changed
• You have misplaced your keys
• 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 suspect that someone has gained unauthorized access to your personal space.

Also, consider hiring a mobile locksmith when dealing with lock and key emergencies. These individuals operate from mobile workshops, offering advantages over in-shop locksmiths during emergencies, like:

• Quicker response times
• 24/7 availability
• Low towing fees for auto emergency
• Better accessibility to difficult-to-reach locations.

Also, locally available 24-hour locksmith services, such as MinuteKey and KeyMe, can help you with key-related emergencies. These companies provide various locksmith services, such as digital copies of your keys, which you can make through self-service kiosks. However, there are drawbacks to this type of service, including data breaches and limited access to self-service units for key duplication.

You can do the following to reduce the recurrence of lockouts and other similar key-related problems:

• Get spare keys
• Keep proper track of your keys
• Use lockboxes to prevent lockouts
• Install smart locks
• Use locks that you are familiar with their features
• Maintain your locks properly

Do You Conduct Background Checks on Your Employees?

Professional Baltimore-based locksmith businesses typically perform background checks on their prospective employees. Conducting research on your preferred locksmith business is advisable by confirming they have passed a criminal background check. In addition to criminal background checks, locksmiths also perform other checks on their employees, including:

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

Confirming these checks have been carried out helps ensure you hire reliable and trustworthy locksmiths to access your home and personal belongings while reducing the chances of theft. Also, request their names and descriptions and verify their information by asking for their valid ID when they arrive.

Do You Offer Any Warranties on Your Locksmith Services?

When hiring a locksmith in Baltimore, you must confirm if they will offer you warranties for your locks' repairs or installation. Warranties assure you the job will be completed satisfactorily and the lock will function as intended. There are two kinds of warranties offered by professionals in the city:

• A manufacturer's warranty covers the issues and defects that can happen with the locks. Usually, such warranties last for a year.
• A workmanship warranty covers the faults and errors that a locksmith can commit.

The locksmith and manufacturers have different terms and conditions for services and products. Although a locksmith's warranty can cover certain damages, it does not cover the damages caused by:

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