Get Quotes from Top Locksmiths in Plano, TX

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

Plano locksmiths must be licensed by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) before offering or providing services. Always ensure your intended locksmith meets this requirement. Other factors to be considered while looking to hire locksmiths in Plano include:

• Current location and availability
• The rates of services
• Urgency

The nature of your required services will determine whether you will need a traditional locksmith or an auto locksmith. Traditional locksmiths handle lock situations in any building (residential or commercial), while auto locksmiths install and repair the locks on automobiles. It is essential to ensure you get the right type of locksmith needed for your job.

Are You Licensed as a Locksmith in Plano?

Per state law, any individual who installs, repairs, unlocks, modifies, or upgrades locks in Plano must obtain a Class B Security Services Contractor License from the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). Be aware that it is unlawful for any individual to provide locksmithing services in exchange for compensation without this license.

Always verify your preferred locksmith's license status before hiring them; this assures you of the locksmith's compliance with state regulations and their legitimacy and professionalism. You can verify Plano locksmith's licenses using the DPS' Search Licenses tool.

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

Locksmiths in Plano typically charge $40 - $100 per hour. However, several factors affect the final cost of any locksmith's services. They include:

• The cost of materials used
• The urgency of the situation
• Your location
• The complexity of the task

We recommend that you get and compare rates for your required services from at least three locksmiths before hiring; this protects you from dishonest locksmiths who overcharge unsuspecting clients. You should also be wary of prices that are suspiciously lower than the competition's, as this is a common scam tactic dishonest locksmiths use.

What Kind of Locksmith Services Do You Offer?

Licensed Plano locksmiths offer many services, such as key duplication, lock replacement, and lock upgrades for buildings and vehicles alike. Typical cost estimates on some of the services these locksmiths provide are listed below:

You should confirm any locksmith you hire is skilled and equipped to provide the specific services you require. Discuss and agree on the expected cost of these services before hiring them. This helps you avoid any disputes that might occur after the task is done.

Do You Provide Auto Locksmith Services in Plano?

Auto locksmiths specialize in installing, repairing, unlocking, and replacing locks on vehicles (cars, motorcycles, trucks). Automotive locksmiths skillfully handle the following tasks:

• Ignition repair
• Key duplication or replacement
• Extracting broken keys
• Unlocking car doors
• Door actuator replacement
• Lock repair or replacement
• Trunk reopening
• Key replacement or duplication
• Key fob programming

Note that motorcycles have a coding system different from other vehicles. As such, they require specialized equipment to cut new keys. Therefore, when resolving a motorcycle-related lock issue, ensure the auto locksmith company you contact has skilled and experienced motorcycle locksmiths on staff who can expertly get the job done.

Listed below are the average costs for common services that Plano locksmiths offer:

Do You Provide Emergency or 24-hour Locksmith Services?

Although many lock-related situations can be categorized as emergencies, certain circumstances demand more immediate attention than others. These situations include:

• Being locked out of your home
• Changing your locks after a burglary or suspected break-in
• Forgetting the combination to your safe
• Breaking a key in the lock

When these situations occur, a nearby reliable and licensed mobile locksmith is the best solution. The advantages of hiring a mobile locksmith include:

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

Note that emergency locksmith services will come at an extra cost. You should also always ensure a locksmith is licensed before hiring them.

KeyMe and MinuteKey are self-service locksmith brands you can consider signing up for; they offer key duplication services that can be handy in an emergency. However, be aware of some limitations with these self-service locksmith options, such as data breaches and limited availability of key duplication kiosks.

To minimize the occurrence of lock-related emergencies, it is advisable to implement the following preventive measures:

• Save the contact details of at least two trusted nearby locksmiths
• Get spare keys
• Use lockboxes
• Install smart locks

Do You Conduct Background Checks on Your Employees?

Locksmiths in Plano must undergo a criminal background check before being issued a license by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) - one of the reasons you should always check your locksmith's license status before hiring. Also, ensure you engage licensed locksmith companies that vet their employees. Professional Plano locksmith companies typically carry out the following kinds of background checks on their employees:

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

Ensuring the locksmith service you are considering conducts thorough background checks guarantees that only skilled and reliable professionals will be sent to do your job. This minimizes the risks of burglaries, carjacking, and other related crimes. You should also get the name and description of the locksmith providing your requested services and ask them to come with an official ID that authenticates this information.

Do You Offer Any Warranties on Your Locksmith Services?

There are two types of warranties that a licensed and professional locksmith in Plano will typically offer. They are:

• A manufacturer's warranty: This covers any faults with the actual locks and usually has a validity period of about one year.
• A workmanship warranty: This covers locksmith-induced defects or errors.

You should always confirm that you will be offered warranties when hiring any locksmith; this assures you that they will install, repair, or retool your locks competently (using quality materials). The terms and conditions of a warranty usually vary based on the product used and the locksmith hired. However, most warranties do not cover the following situations:

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

It is a good idea to request written copies of your warranties and review their terms and conditions.