Get Quotes from Top Locksmiths in Arlington, TX

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

Locksmiths in Arlington need a valid state-mandated occupational license to provide services in the city. Always check that your intended locksmith has complied with this. It is crucial to confirm the locksmith's area of specialization. This assures you of their ability to handle the job correctly. Depending on the nature of the problem, you will require either a traditional locksmith (for building-related lockouts) or an auto locksmith (for car-related issues). Other factors that will influence your choice include:

• The locksmith's current location and availability
• The urgency of the job
• Your location
• The locksmith's service charges

Are You Licensed as a Locksmith in Arlington?

Any person or business that wishes to provide locksmith services in Arlington must obtain an occupational license from the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). Locksmiths who offer or perform work without a valid DPS-issued license face a $10,000 fine. This penalty also applies to people who knowingly hire unlicensed locksmiths.

As such, always confirm your prospective locksmith's license status before committing to them. Doing this ensures you avoid state-levied sanctions and assures the locksmith is legit. You can check your locksmith's license status online via the DPS's TOPS platform.

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

Locksmith services in Arlington cost an average of $55 - $250 per service. However, some locksmiths may utilize an hourly billing rate, where you are charged about $25 - $50 per hour for their services, plus the cost of required materials. The actual cost of your required services will be determined by the nature and complexity of these services, as well as other variables like:

• The urgency of the situation
• The time of day
• Your location
• Trip fees

Always agree on your locksmith's rates before they start work. We recommend getting and comparing quotes from about three locksmiths before hiring to avoid being overcharged by a dishonest locksmith. However, be wary of locksmiths whose quotes are significantly lower than the rest. This is a scam technique shady locksmiths use to deceive unsuspecting clients.

What Kind of Locksmith Services Do You Offer?

Licensed and experienced locksmiths in Arlington offer clients various residential, commercial, and emergency services. Some of the most requested locksmith services in Arlington (and average cost estimates for these services) are:

Always confirm the scope of services your preferred locksmith offers and discuss (and agree on) their service charges before they start work to avoid misunderstandings and conflicts.

Do You Provide Auto Locksmith Services in Arlington?

Auto locksmiths are locksmiths who specialize in cars, motorcycles, trucks, and other types of vehicles. Professional auto locksmiths in Arlington offer several kinds of automotive-related services, like:

• Unlocking car doors
• Car lock repair and replacement
• Extracting broken keys from vehicles
• Key fob programming
• Key copying and replacement
• Vehicle ignition repair
• Locked trunk reopening
• Door actuator replacement

Listed below are cost estimates for common auto locksmith services available in Arlington:

Ensure your preferred auto locksmith is proficient in working with the specific make and model of your vehicle, particularly if you need to replace missing or damaged motorcycle keys. These keys often have distinct coding that requires specialized skills and equipment to copy and rekey.

Do You Provide Emergency or 24-hour Locksmith Services?

Even though lockout situations can be considered urgent, some problems are more urgent than others. Examples of these emergencies include:

• Accidentally locking yourself out of your home
• Dealing with a broken key stuck in the lock
• Needing to change your locks after a burglary

Mobile locksmiths excel in addressing emergency lockouts, and you should consider contacting one when dealing with these situations. These locksmiths operate out of mobile workshops, giving them distinct advantages over regular locksmiths for these emergencies like:

• Faster response times
• Better accessibility to remote or difficult-to-reach locations
• 24/7 availability
• More on-the-job experience due to the high volume of jobs that they typically receive

Locksmith companies like KeyMe, MinuteKey, and similar brands allow customers to create digital key copies, store them online, and generate physical duplicates. These services are rendered via designated self-service kiosks which are a useful alternative for handling key-related emergencies. However, there are drawbacks to this option, like:

• Limited availability of self-service kiosks
• Data breaches

Alternatively, consider maintaining the contact details of one or two reputable local locksmiths you can call for emergencies. Many locksmiths charge extra fees on top of their standard rates for emergency services, especially when called outside regular business hours.

We recommend taking the following precautions to reduce the likelihood of lockouts and key-related emergencies:

• Organize your keys properly
• Use lockboxes
• Get spare keys
• Install smart locks/keyless lock systems

Do You Conduct Background Checks on Your Employees?

Professional locksmiths conduct the following background checks on their employees:

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

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) typically conducts criminal background checks on locksmiths who wish to operate in Arlington before licensing them. However, take this further by confirming your intended locksmith also vets their employees, especially any personnel directly involved in providing your requested services. Get the names and descriptions of the locksmiths that will be sent to you and confirm their identities with official company IDs when they arrive. This ensures only individuals with a trustworthy reputation are allowed into your home or granted access to your private information, reducing the potential risks of blackmail, theft, robbery, and other similar incidents.

Do You Offer Any Warranties on Your Locksmith Services?

Professional Arlington locksmiths offer clients two types of warranties – a manufacturer's warranty covering installed locks (and other products) and a workmanship warranty covering their actual work. These warranties assure you that your requested locksmithing services will be offered competently and with high-quality products; as such, always confirm that your preferred locksmiths offer them before hiring.

While the scope, coverage, and validity period of these warranties vary by locksmith, most standard warranties will not cover damages that result from:

• Improper lock installation
• Unauthorized/unapproved repairs
• Misuse, vandalism, negligence, and natural disasters

Nevertheless, ask your locksmith for written copies of the warranties they offer so you can review and understand their specific terms and conditions.