The importance & evolution of locksmith services
The locksmith craft emerged from traditional tradesman services such as blacksmithing and is believed to have originated in Ancient Egypt and Babylon some 4000 years ago. This makes locksmithing one of the oldest professions in the world. Lock and key technology, which at the time consisted of large wooden locks and keys quickly spread across the globe to Greece, Rome, and China.
Locks, although cumbersome at the time, were used widely by wealthy individuals to safeguard their valuables at home and also became common when transporting goods over far distances. The added security and protection that the lock and key technology provided quickly caught on and employed blacksmith or locksmith services to forge locks and keys from metal rather than wood became more common.
Metal proved to be much tougher and stronger than wood and also a lot more reliable. English craftsmen are thought to be amongst the first to invent and mass-produce locks made from iron and brass. This new and improved lock and key technology quickly spread across Europe and to the far reaches of the world and became the building blocks for the modern locks of today.
The locking mechanism used in these ancient metal locks remained unchanged for many centuries although more talented locksmiths did tinker with the aesthetics of a lock and key to appeal to the rich and noble. These beautiful locks were seen as a status symbol for wealth and power although the mechanisms remained relatively unchanged.
As lock and key technology became more and more common amongst the masses the need for locksmith services started to rise giving birth to a whole new industry. After the industrial revolution that began in the 18th century, lock and key technology evolved rapidly as precision engineering, component standardization, and mass production methods helped increase the complexity, security, reliability, and durability of locks and keys.
The evolution of modern locksmith services
In the space of a century, humanity has taken huge leaps and bounds when it comes to technology and innovation. A century ago, the Wright Brothers found a way for humans to take to the air and fly to far off destinations. A mere fifty years later, the world witnessed in awe as the first man stepped foot on the moon.
The speed at which technology has evolved is nothing short of exponential and this has had its impacts on almost every industry no matter how old that profession maybe. The locksmithing profession is no different. Today, when searching for a locksmith service provider you are spoilt for choice as competition is fiercer than ever.
Large locksmith companies, that include national and even international chains, tend to be more focused on large commercial locksmith projects that include the installation of multiple door/window locks, security systems, cameras, safes, vaults, and much more. Local locksmith companies tend to focus on providing other residential locksmith services that include emergency lockout services, lock repair, key duplication, key extraction, and so forth.
Door N Key Locksmith is one such example of a local West Palm Beach locksmith company that excels in residential and commercial locksmith services. Calling a locksmith provider that is local over say a national chain has its own set of advantages which will be discussed later in this article.
The importance of locksmiths
In the world we live in, we are surrounded by lock and key technology. Everywhere you go you are going to find locks whether that be on windows, doors, cars, garages, sheds, bikes, and pretty much anything else you can think of. If something is of value it is likely going to be kept under lock and key. That’s just the world we live in.
Thus, locksmiths provide a vital service, whereby they help ensure our continued safety and security by making sure that our locks are secure and we have the keys needed to unlock them when required.
Losing keys is something that we are all guilty of. Thus, when we need a key made urgently or find our key jammed inside a door or car lock a professional locksmith is who we call. Licensed, certified, and highly trained locksmiths have the skills, equipment, and tools needed to make quick work of any lock and key issue.
Today, modern locksmiths have become highly specialized and cater to select niches. Some locksmith companies, for example, specialize in designing and building custom safes and vaults for banks and government agencies. Other highly skilled and specialized locksmiths primarily work on industrial locks for commercial applications.
It is safe to say then that no matter what type of lock, safe, or security system you are looking for it is likely that a modern locksmith company is providing those services in and around your region.
Most modern locksmith companies, however, cater to the residential and commercial sectors and work out of workshops and mobile vans. The best locksmith companies have teams of highly skilled locksmiths that drive around the city in mobile vans, that are fully equipped with all the tools needed to deal with any lock and key issue on-site.
By being mobile these locksmith providers can cater to emergency lockout situations with a lot more speed and efficiency. West Palm Beach locksmith companies such as Door N Key Locksmith can have a team of highly skilled locksmiths arrive in a fully-equipped locksmithing van at any location within West Palm Beach in under 20-minutes from the time of placing the call.
There was a time when locksmith services were primarily required by the rich and wealthy. But today, we need locks and keys for just about everything we own. With the growing demand for locksmith services and increasing competition, locksmith service providers have become a lot more affordable and reliable as compared to the days of old.
Choosing local vs. national locksmith companies
When you are stuck in an emergency lockout situation the last thing on your mind is whether to call a local or national locksmith company. All you really want is a locksmith that knows what he is doing and arrives at your location as quickly as possible so you can get out of your current predicament.
However, choosing one over the other can have quite an impact on the quality of service, price, and level of professionalism you are likely to receive.
In most cases, when faced with an emergency lockout situation you are better off opting for a well-reputed local locksmith company. Not only are they likely to arrive at your location more quickly but they are most likely also going to be much cheaper than calling a national chain. This is because being local they will have to cope with a lot less travel time and overheads which is likely going to make them a much more cost-effective option.
Most local West Palm Beach locksmith companies specialize in dealing with lockout situations whether that be your vehicle, home, or place of business. These local businesses operate 24/hrs, 365 days a year, to make sure that a team of professional locksmiths are always on standby in case an emergency does occur.
Local locksmith providers also tend to offer a much more honest service as compared to national chains. This is because these locksmiths reside in the neighbourhood and are not only part of the business but also part of the community.
On the other hand, national locksmith companies can come in handy when dealing with more specialized locksmith services such as the installation of a home security system or a custom gun safe.
On the downside, as national chains generally affiliate themselves with local locksmith providers, calling them in an emergency lockout situation is likely going to lead to a much higher cost and slower response time.
When choosing a local locksmith company for your home, car, or place of business it is always best to do a bit of research. Looking up West Palm Beach locksmith providers by doing a quick search online or asking your neighbours and friends about trusted and reliable local locksmiths can not only help you save money but also ensure that your safety and security aren’t compromised in any way.
How to choose the best locksmith provider?
Regardless of what locksmith provider you choose it is always best to at least ensure the following:
- The locksmith provider offers 24/7 emergency locksmith services
- Are there any hidden costs associated with the service?
- Always discuss pricing and terms before booking a locksmith
- Make sure that the company has a proven track record
- Ensure that the company is registered, accredited, and certified
- The company offers a range of locksmith services
- The company is bonded and insured
- There is plenty of evidence to support that the company is reliable, trustworthy, and honest
- Never pay up-front. Only once you are satisfied with the service.
Conclusion
It is fair to say that the locksmithing craft isn’t going anywhere. Somewhere down the line, we all will require the services of a professional locksmith at one point or the other. Hence, it is best to do your research before an incident occurs so you can make much more informed decisions on who to trust with the safety and security of your home, life, and worldly possessions.
