The moment you need a locksmith is usually the worst moment to choose one. You're locked out, it's hot, and you tap the first ad on your phone. Most of the time that works out. Sometimes it ends with a $19 quote that turns into $300, a drilled lock and no receipt.
This checklist will help you choose well, whether you're hiring someone today or saving a number for later. It works for any locksmith in Jacksonville, not just us.
A quick note on "licensed"
Many locksmith ads say "licensed." In Florida, that word doesn't mean much, because the state doesn't issue a locksmith license, and cities and counties can't require their own. There's no license number to look up. We explain the details in do locksmiths need a license in Florida?
That doesn't mean you can't check a locksmith out. It just means you check different things. Here they are.
The 9-point checklist
1. They answer with a real business name
When you call, you should hear the company's name. If someone answers "Locksmith, how can I help?" you may be talking to a call center that sells jobs to whoever is closest. Ask, "What's the name of your company?" If they won't say, hang up.
2. The business is registered in Florida
Search the company name on Sunbiz, the Florida Division of Corporations website. A real business shows up with an active status and a filing date. It takes about a minute, and it's free.
3. They carry liability insurance
Florida doesn't require locksmiths to carry insurance, but any serious one does. If a door, frame or car gets damaged, insurance is what pays for it. It's fair to ask for a certificate of insurance, especially for bigger jobs like new locks throughout a house or a business rekey.
4. They have real local reviews
Look at the company's Google reviews. Good signs:
- Reviews that mention a technician by name.
- Details that sound real, like the neighborhood, the kind of job or the time of day.
- Reviews spread over months or years, not 40 in one week.
Our customer reviews page shows what we mean. Several of our customers mention Gino by name and describe jobs like a same-day rekey after closing on a home.
5. They give a full price on the phone
A trustworthy locksmith can give you a real price, or a tight range, on the phone once they know what's locked and where you are. Ask, "What's the total, including the trip charge?" Beware of:
- A very low "service call" price with no total.
- "We'll tell you when we get there."
- A price that changes once the technician is in your driveway.
6. They check your ID
A good locksmith asks for proof that you live there or own the car before opening anything. If they don't ask, think about what that means: they'd open your door for anyone.
7. They arrive in a marked vehicle and tell you who's coming
You should know the name of the person arriving, and they should arrive in a marked vehicle or show a business card that matches the company you called.
8. They pick first and drill last
Most residential locks can be picked or bypassed without damage. Drilling destroys the lock, which means you have to buy a new one. A locksmith who reaches for the drill first may be padding the bill. Drilling should be a last resort, explained and approved by you.
9. They take cards and give an itemized receipt
Cash-only is a warning sign. Paying by card gives you a record and a way to dispute a charge. You should get a receipt with the business name, the work done and the price.
Other things worth weighing
Once a locksmith passes the checklist, these help you pick between good options:
- Range of services. Can the same company rekey your house, fix a sticky lock, install a smart lock and open your car? One trusted number is easier than four.
- Local knowledge. A Jacksonville locksmith knows that locks at Jacksonville Beach corrode faster, that 1920s homes in San Marco and Riverside often have mortise locks, and that concrete block walls can weaken smart-lock signals.
- Availability. Ask about their hours, and what to do if you need help when they're closed.
- Communication. Did they explain things clearly and patiently? That's usually how the job goes, too.
Questions for bigger jobs
For a lockout, the checklist above is enough. For bigger jobs, like rekeying a whole house, installing new deadbolts or putting in a smart lock, ask a few more questions:
- What brand and grade of lock are you installing? For outside doors, look for an ANSI/BHMA Grade 1 or Grade 2 deadbolt.
- Will the finish hold up where I live? Near the ocean, solid brass and stainless last much longer than plated zinc.
- Can all my locks work with one key? A good locksmith will tell you whether your locks share a keyway, and what it takes to match them.
- Do I actually need new locks? An honest locksmith will tell you when rekeying is enough.
- What guarantee comes with the work? Ask how long parts and labor are covered, and what happens if something isn't right.
- Will you install a lock I bought? Many locksmiths will, as long as it fits your door.
Red flags at a glance
- No business name on the phone.
- No total price, only a "service call" fee.
- Unmarked car, no ID, no business card.
- Wants to drill right away.
- Cash only, or the price goes up after the work is done.
- Pressure to replace locks that only need rekeying.
For how these scams work and what to do if one happens to you, read how to spot a locksmith scam in Jacksonville.
How we measure up
We built our business around this checklist. You get the full price on the phone before we drive out, and we confirm it before any work starts. Before we open a home, car or business, we check ID and proof that you live there or own it. We use non-destructive entry first and only drill a lock as a last resort, with your OK. You get an itemized invoice that matches your quote, with no surprise fees. We're a local, owner-operated Jacksonville business, not a national call center. Our lock installations are backed by a 5-year money-back guarantee.
We've been working in Jacksonville since 2012, serving homeowners from Mandarin and San Marco to Ponte Vedra Beach. See what we do for homes on our residential locksmith page.
Save our number now
Put a locksmith in your phone before you need one. Call (904) 509-0907 or text us with any question. We're available Mon & Fri 7 AM–2 PM and Tue & Thu 7 AM–6 PM.