Get Quotes from Top Locksmiths in Lubbock, TX

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

Locksmiths offering their services to Lubbockites must have a state-issued license. Always ensure the locksmith you want to hire has this license. Determining the right locksmith for the job is crucial – depending on the situation, you might need a regular locksmith (for building-related lockouts) or a car locksmith (for vehicle-related problems).

Other things to consider when picking a locksmith include:

• The locksmith's present location and availability
• Your location
• How quickly you need the problem resolved
• How much the locksmith charges for their services

Are You Licensed as a Locksmith in Lubbock?

Locksmiths and locksmith businesses in Lubbock must be licensed by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) before offering their services or doing any locksmithing in the city. Locksmiths who fail to comply with this licensing requirement can receive a $10,000 fine; the same goes for Lubbockites who knowingly hire these unlicensed locksmiths.

Therefore, before you choose any locksmith in Lubbock, ensure they have a valid DPS-issued license. This way, you avoid getting in trouble and confirm the locksmith's legitimacy. You can verify your intended locksmith's license status online using the DPS's TOPS platform.

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

Locksmith services in Lubbock usually cost around $45 to $250 for each job, with locksmiths charging hourly labor rates of about $20 - $45. However, the actual cost of your required services will be determined by several factors, including:

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

Ensure you and your preferred locksmith agree on their rates before they start working. Consider comparing quotes from about two or three different locksmiths. This helps ensure you aren't charged too much by a dishonest locksmith. However, be careful if a locksmith's quote is way lower than others, as shady locksmiths use this technique to reel in unsuspecting clients.

What Kind of Locksmith Services Do You Offer?

Licensed and experienced locksmiths in Lubbock typically offer interested city residents many services, whether for residential or commercial purposes. Here are some common services these professionals offer, along with the average costs:

Always confirm your preferred locksmith has the skills and tools to offer your required services and discuss their service charges before committing to them. This way, you'll avoid misunderstandings and arguments during or after the job.

Do You Provide Auto Locksmith Services in Lubbock?

Auto locksmiths in Lubbock specialize in lockouts involving cars, trucks, motorcycles, and other vehicles. Some of the services these professionals provide include:

• Unlocking car doors
• Fixing or changing car locks
• Extracting broken keys from vehicles
• Programming key fobs
• Key copying and duplication
• Changing door actuators
• Fixing car ignitions

Here are some cost estimates for common car and vehicle services auto locksmiths in Lubbock offer:

Ensure the auto locksmith you select is familiar with and has experience working on your vehicle's make and model. This is essential, especially if you need to replace a lost or broken motorcycle key, as these keys often use distinct coding that requires specialized skills and tools to rekey or duplicate.

Do You Provide Emergency or 24-hour Locksmith Services?

While all lockout situations need to be resolved quickly, some require immediate attention more than others. These emergencies include:

• Getting locked out of your home by accident
• Having a key break in its lock
• Needing to change your locks after a break-in

When faced with these emergencies in Lubbock, consider calling a local mobile locksmith. These locksmiths work out of workshops on wheels, giving them certain advantages over regular (non-mobile) locksmiths for emergencies, such as:

• Quicker response times
• Easier access to difficult-to-reach or remote locations
• 24/7 availability
• More on-the-job experience because of the high volume of jobs they usually get

Locksmith companies like KeyMe and MinuteKey let customers make digital copies of their keys, store them online, and make physical copies from self-service machines, which are a good option for dealing with lockout emergencies. However, there are downsides to this option, like data breaches exposing your keys to unauthorized parties and limited availability of self-service kiosks.

Consider saving the contact info of one or two reliable local locksmiths for quick assistance in emergencies. Be aware many locksmiths charge extra for emergencies, especially outside regular work hours.

Lastly, reduce the occurrence of lockouts by taking these precautions:

• Keep your keys organized
• Use lockboxes
• Get spare keys
• Install keyless/smart locks

Do You Conduct Background Checks on Your Employees?

Reputable locksmith businesses do thorough checks on their employees; these checks typically include:

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

Be aware the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) conducts criminal background checks on Lubbock locksmiths before licensing them. It's wise to ensure your preferred locksmiths also vet their employees, especially those who directly provide your required services or handle your personal information. Get the name and description of the locksmith assigned to your job and insist they come with an official company ID that authenticates this information. These actions help ensure you deal with only reliable and trustworthy individuals and reduce the possibility of incidents like theft and blackmail.

Do You Offer Any Warranties on Your Locksmith Services?

Reputable locksmiths in Lubbock offer their clients two kinds of warranties that guarantee the quality of their services:

• A manufacturer's warranty that covers the locks and products they install
• A workmanship warranty that covers their actual work

Always confirm that your preferred locksmith offers these warranties before committing to them. The locksmith you hire and the types of products they use for the job determine the coverage scope and validity of your locksmithing warranties; however, most standard warranties won't cover issues caused by:

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

We recommend asking your locksmith for written copies of their warranties to get a clear idea of each warranty's specific scope of coverage and conditions.