So we’ve been quiet for a little while now. Not because we have nothing to say but purely because we have been busy. Attending all types of jobs. We also visited the locksmith expo in Nottingham where we met up with many other locksmiths from across the country. We all probably spent way to much on tools and stock. This is the benefits of theses shows as they pass the knowledge and tools to make our job easier. Not only that but it makes things better for are customers. Purely by having the up to date knowledge and tools this aids in being able to deal with all situations in a professional manor.

The problem with many incompetent locksmiths or so called locksmiths is that they drill or damage locks. Then replace them, this can lead to the price to the customer doubling or tripling. Not only that inferior parts could be used that may not last, or not give the required security needed. If the worst ever happened the insurance would never cover the cost. It would likely be voided.

The problem we are coming up against is that many people are taking what they think is the cheapest option. Which is understandable in the current climate. The problem is like anything you pay for what you get. Pay the cheapest fee for a locksmith, you are likely to get a cheap and poor service. You need to ask WHY ? WHY are they cheaper, HOW can they be cheaper then everyone else. Your answer will likely be they have little if any training, they are using cheap Chinese locks or second hand locks. Will likely drive around in a car have no business insurance or indemnity insurances. They may also demand to be paid in cash to avoid the taxman and paying their dues.

Over the last few weeks I have attended 5 jobs which were most likely attended by the same locksmith. Each time the customer informed me they called the so called locksmith and they attended site all to polite and couldnt do enough for them. All they were interested in was selling more and earning more by trying to pressure into buying further locks then being offered discounts to do so. Two of the customers agreed to it just to keep the guy quiet.

The reason I was called is the locks developed faults. When the customer called the so called locksmith he became rude and agitated on the phone. Demanding they pay a call out fee for him to attend. Blaming the customer that they must have done something. In all 5 cases I had to change the sub standard locks for more reliable and suited locks for the purpose they were intended for.

So people please invest time in researching. When your locked out its easy to just accept what you hear on the phone as you just want to get in quick. Ask the relevant questions. If the keys are locked in side the property then they can still be used. You just want the door open. If the locksmith tells you that the lock needs replacing then alarm bells should ring. A competent locksmith should be able to open the door using a variety of techniques that will not damage the locks. If they walk up to your door with a drill straight away then that is not a trained locksmith.

So its been a little while since I posted last. We have been busy, working our way through a multitude of tasks. Everything from standard lock outs, to attending vacant properties for estate agents and changing locks, ready for the new tenants.

Today however, I was involved in a Commercial forfeiture of lease. The shop that I was called out to in this case, had been ran by a business person that wasn’t paying rent to the landlord. By not paying their rent, this then automatically breaches the lease on the commercial outlet. Therefore the landlord is entitled to get full access to their premises back and evict the non-paying business tenants.

The forfeiture of lease call out today was from a Bailiff firm that I do a large amount of work for. The Boss telephones me and asks on Wednesday if i can cover an early job. I advise that I can do so, no problem. We arrange to carry out the job at 05.00am. That way we are not attending during operational hours of the shop. This makes the job so much easier and convenient for both parties. It’s not nice taking someones livelihood but then again the people who take out the lease and don’t pay are taking the landlords livelihood.

I meet the head of the bailiff firm at the address, at the agreed time. We find that the premises has 2 Chubb 3G114e deadlocks. These are considered high security locks for insurance purposes. They are fitted on the right hand side of the door. This may panic some ‘driller killers’ or ‘so called locksmiths’ that drill locks when not necessary to so. Due to lack of skill the drilling often penetrates right through the hard-plate and the bolt when trying to access the stump or gate.  Although drilling locks is frowned upon in the locksmith industry in general, if a lock has to be drilled then this must be done accurately. With pin point precision. If not, then it will make for more work, potentially higher costs to the client and cause unnecessary damage.

On this occasion I chose to use my pin and cam decoder in the hope that the locks are keyed alike. Meaning one key will operate both, rather then two separate keys. This will save a large amount of time, as I will only have to decode one lock rather then two. In theory, the decoder will then open the other. Using this method is fairly quick if experienced. So I manage to decode the first lock relatively quickly. The adrenalin rush when the tool rotates and the lock opens is immense. I take the tool out and place into the second lock in the hope that the other lock will open. I turn the tool and sure enough it rotates 360 degrees and the door is open!

The bailiff is happy as the job has been completed, trouble free. As I carry a large variety of locks, I am able to replace the locks on a like for like basis. Therefore no adjustment is needed. I re-lever one of the locks so that one set of keys operate both locks. All in all, we were on site for 30 minutes. Jobs like this are welcomed and enjoyed!

With thanks to  © Copyright Ian S and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence for the use of the Borough Bailiff photograph.

So last night, that being Sunday 10th February. I got a few local jobs Mainly slam shuts where the doors have slammed shut behind people locking them out. Then around 10pm I was contacted by a family who had got locked out but had chosen to open the door them selves. The state of the door when I arrived was unbelievable. It was a composite door that consists of timber inside with a thin pressed metal outer skin. The whole door was buckled and twisted. The door had numerous dents where it had been jemmied with screwdrivers shovels and a crow bar. In the process of the door being twisted they managed to shatter and smash the doubled glazed panel in the door.

Due to the fact that the door was so badly damaged they couldn’t then get the door to shut. So this is when they decided to call upon my services. Though by now the damage had been done and was irreversible. I had to replace both the rim cylinder as well as the night latch but also the deadlock need to be replaced. I informed the customer that I would secure the property as best I can but it’s not going to be pretty and will be a temporary fix. A whole new front door and frame is now required due to the extensive damage.  I don’t like being the bearer of bad news or to appear to rub salt into the wound but I told them if they had of rung me before hand it would of saved them so much money. It would of only required me to attend and pick the locks open on the door. It would of only taken approx 30 mins.

They were absolutely gutted which is to be expected. They realised that they should of really got a professional in from the start. I have invested heavily in picks and decoders and spent hundreds if not thousands of hours practising to pick locks without damage. Drilling a lock, or causing damage in order to open a lock should always be a last resort as its not necessary. Only time it should possibly be done is if a lock has failed or broken in the locked position.

So the moral of today’s post is always to call on a professional in your hour of need. It will save you money in the long run. As proper locksmiths will always carry the correct tools and possess all the knowledge and skills to make sure the job is carried out correctly and to the highest standards.

Should you have any queries please look here https://www.locksinthecity.co.uk/mobile-locksmith/

Hi I’m Paul Horton,

I’m the owner and founder of Locks in the City. I got involved with locksmithing in the year 2004. I had been looking for a change of career as I was working in retail and doing long stressful shifts. So I started by looking for a new car in order to get about and look for a new job and if I was successful in finding a new job I would have reliable transport. So I bought a copy of the auto trader. Whilst browsing I discovered in the back businesses for sale. Amongst them was an opportunity to buy an existing business in a locksmith company. This got me intrigued as I had always been very hands on and interested in mechanical design and engineering so locksmithing went hand in hand.

At the time I used the internet to delve further in to the locksmith world reading up on the life of a locksmith and the expectations. My dad decided to make some picks based on some templates that we acquired. This was the start of the addictive world of lock picking. After about 3 days I had managed to pick open a cheap rim cylinder and the buzz from opening something that is designed to keep you and your property safe was immense.

Over the coarse of the next year, I slept, ate, read and breathed locksmithing and I was picking locks with ease and moved on through the different levels of security. I went from opening low end 5 pin cylinders, to 5 pin cylinders with anti-pick pins, to 6 pin high end cylinders then onto dimple 7 pin cylinders. I was also opening dead locks and sash locks using curtain picks. My arsenal of tools and picks grew my knowledge was steadily growing and I eventually got a job with a repossession company. This wasn’t the most pleasant of jobs but it was a good stepping stone in to putting my knowledge into practice. I gained great knowledge and experience and opened many of the locks on the market.

I eventually decided to work for my self and took the gamble. I invested heavily in stock, tools, decoders and key cutting equipment, not forgetting the van. This has to be the best decision I ever made. The gratitude from helping people in need, is what makes it so worthwhile and the reason i continue to strive and keep learning and practicing.