A tagline is not a credential
Search for a locksmith and every result claims to be the top choice. Those words cost nothing to write. What matters is how the business behaves on the phone and at your door.
Professional behaviour
- A clear price range on the phone, based on what you describe.
- A locksmith who can show ID and explain who they work for.
- Respect for your property and a tidy finish.
- An itemised receipt.
- No pressure to buy hardware you did not ask for.
Licensing and insurance in DC
The District does not issue a separate locksmith licence, but businesses operating in DC need a Basic Business License from the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection. Ask about it, and ask whether the locksmith carries liability insurance. Membership of a trade body such as ALOA is a plus, not a requirement.
Red flags
- A phone number with no business name or location.
- A price that sounds far too low, then grows on site.
- Refusal to give any estimate before arriving.
- Drilling a lock first instead of trying to pick it.
- Pressure to replace every lock in the house.
How this site works
This site is a referral service: calls go to a dispatcher, who sends an independent locksmith. The terms and conditions explain that the contractor invoices you and provides the warranty. Read them, compare the price list, and ask questions before work begins.
Need help now? See residential, commercial, automotive or emergency locksmith services, check the price list, or find your neighbourhood page.
