subject: How to find a locksmith in London [print this page] How to find a locksmith in London How to find a locksmith in London
Imagine a country where over ten percent of the population lives in one enormous, traffic-gridlocked city. Now imagine a city with dozens of sprawling suburbs and exurbs beyond those. That's Metropolitan Londona city of seven and a half million souls. On any given day, hundreds of people will need locksmiths.
So when you get locked out of your vehicle, domicile or office, the size of London is the first thing to keep in mind. It's not like smaller places that might have a few locksmiths who are only too happy to travel to you.
So Rule Number One in dealing with locksmiths is to deal locally. Find out exactly where you are, and use your iPhone or computer to locate nearby providers. Be sure to tell those you reach that you know how far away from you they are. That way, there's a chance that you won't be overcharged for time, or be levied with the infamous London congestion charge.
Once you have gotten a nearby London locksmith on the phone, elicit an approximate travel time to your location. If they state an hourly rate online or in the telephone book, read it off the page before asking for an estimate. Write down the rate that they quote, in case their memory fails before they reach you.
One hour is a sufficient time period for a competent provider to gain access to your car or home. They may have an hourly minimum--always inquire.
Make sure that your chosen locksmith has a Criminal Record Bureau certification, and that they can provide I.D. This is all-important, as you don't want a criminal or ex-criminal having access to your new lock!
For those new to London, you can expect to pay for any necessary parts, plus up to 100 pounds for each hour. If you require a new lock or extra keys, you will incur a VAT charge.
Other desirable features of an emergency locksmith are:
They accept major credit cards and/or travelers checks
They do not levy callout charges
They fix any robbery damage
They don't cause further destruction while gaining entry
