Locksmith services: a guide for pros

What customers ask, how to win the job, and what to put on your profile.

Offering locksmith services

Locksmith work is trust-based and often urgent, so the customer decides on the spot whether to trust the person at the door. Win the job by showing your identity and your method first, then getting the lock open or fixed without damage.

What customers ask

  • How long until you get here?
  • Can you open my door without drilling it?
  • Do I need to show you proof that I live here?
  • Will you rekey or replace my locks?
  • Will you quote the job before you start?
  • Do you guarantee the work?

How to win the job

  • On the call, ask for the address, the lock type, the door type, and whether anyone is inside, then give a realistic arrival window.
  • Show your business name, your ID and any license or registration you hold before you touch the door, and explain what you will check.
  • Explain the non-destructive method you will try first, and what happens if it fails, before any drilling is discussed.
  • Quote the trip, the opening, any drilling repair and the new lock as separate lines, and give the total before you start.
  • Photograph the door and the lock before and after, and leave the customer a key record.
  • Ask the customer to test the lock and the latch with the new keys before you leave, and note the result on the invoice.

What to put on your profile

  • Post photos of openings and repairs that show no damage to the door or frame
  • List your license or registration details if your area requires them, and the areas you serve
  • State the lock types you handle, such as deadbolts, smart locks, high-security cylinders and vehicle locks
  • Show your business name and identity clearly on the vehicle and on your website

Follow-up that helps the customer

  • Offer a lock upgrade for exterior doors once the customer is back inside
  • Suggest a key control plan for households or businesses with several key holders
  • Recommend a yearly check of deadbolt strikes and hinge screws, since loose hardware is a common cause of lock trouble

Licenses and permits

Some states and local areas license or register locksmiths, and some do not. Confirm the requirements with your state or local licensing agency before you take paid work, and keep your registration and insurance details on file.

Questions

Do I need a license to work as a locksmith?

It depends on where you work. Check with your state or local licensing agency, and confirm whether your business needs a registration as well as any personal license.

How do I verify that a customer owns the property before I open the door?

Ask for a government photo ID and proof of residence or ownership, and compare the name and address. Write down what you checked and record it on the work order.

What do I do if a customer wants me to drill a lock I can open without drilling?

Explain why the non-destructive method is the better choice, and explain the damage and the cost of replacing a drilled lock. Drill only with the customer's written agreement.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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