What to Ask Before Hiring a Locksmith in Sydney

Most people only hire a locksmith a few times in their life, often in a hurry and under stress. That makes it easy to agree to the first voice on the phone. A few minutes of questions can save you money, protect your home and help you avoid the small number of operators who give the trade a bad name.

This guide gives you twelve questions to ask, explains what a good answer sounds like, and lists the answers that should make you hang up and call someone else.

Why the questions matter

A locksmith is not like most trades. They handle the actual means of getting into your property. They may cut keys, open doors and, for businesses, hold records of who can open what. You want someone who is skilled, honest and accountable.

The questions below are designed to test all three without being awkward. A genuine locksmith will be happy to answer them. Most will be glad you asked.

The twelve questions

1. What is your business name, and where are you based?

A good answer: a clear business name and a real street address, ideally nearby.

A warning sign: the phone is answered with just "locksmith", or the address is vague, missing or turns out to be a mailbox.

A local base matters for more than travel time. It means there is a real business you can find again if something goes wrong. Our workshop is at 423 Bourke St, Surry Hills NSW 2010, and we list it on every page of our site.

2. What are your actual opening hours?

A good answer: specific hours, stated honestly.

A warning sign: "always open, anywhere in Sydney" from a business you cannot otherwise identify.

Some genuine businesses do work overnight, but many round-the-clock ads lead to call centres that pass jobs to whoever is free. A business that is upfront about its hours is more likely to be upfront about everything else. We are open 7 days, 7:00am to 12:00am, and we will tell you we are closed overnight.

3. Are you licensed, and can I check the licence?

A good answer: yes, with a licence number you can check on the official NSW register.

A warning sign: hesitation, a refusal, or "we don't need one".

See our guide on how to check a licensed locksmith in NSW.

4. Will the person who comes be the person I am speaking to, or from your business?

A good answer: the locksmith, or a named member of the same business.

A warning sign: "we'll send someone from our network".

You want to know exactly who is coming to your door.

5. What will this job likely cost?

A good answer: a price, or a realistic range, with an explanation of what is included and what could change it.

A warning sign: a suspiciously low "from" price, or a refusal to give any figure until the job is done.

See our guide to locksmith costs in Surry Hills for what a fair price includes.

6. Is there a call-out fee, and is it included in that price?

A good answer: a clear yes or no, and how much.

A warning sign: the call-out fee is the only number mentioned.

Low advertised prices are often just the call-out. The real total comes later.

7. Are there extra charges for the time of day?

A good answer: a clear explanation of any after-hours loading.

A warning sign: finding out only when the invoice arrives.

8. Will you try to open the lock without damaging it?

A good answer: yes, for standard locks, with an honest explanation if a particular lock may be harder.

A warning sign: "we'll just drill it".

Drilling turns a simple opening into a lock replacement. It is occasionally necessary, but it should never be the first plan for a standard lock.

9. Will you need proof that I live here?

A good answer: yes.

A warning sign: no checks at all.

It might feel inconvenient, but a locksmith who checks is protecting you. One who opens any door for anyone could open yours for someone else.

10. How long until you can get here?

A good answer: an honest estimate based on where they are now.

A warning sign: a confident promise that sounds too good, especially from a business with no clear address.

We will give you an honest estimate. We will not promise an arrival time we cannot meet.

11. If something unexpected comes up, what happens?

A good answer: "I'll stop, explain, and agree any change in price with you before continuing."

A warning sign: "we'll sort it out at the end".

12. Will I get an itemised invoice?

A good answer: yes, with the business name, address, contact details and a breakdown of work and parts.

A warning sign: cash only, no paperwork.

Questions for specific situations

If your keys are lost

Ask: "Can you rekey the lock once I'm inside, so the lost keys stop working?" A good locksmith will offer this anyway. See lock rekeying.

If you rent

Ask yourself first: "Do I have my landlord's agreement to change or rekey the locks?" In NSW, landlords and tenants generally need to agree, and both must receive keys. See our guide to landlord and tenant lock change rules in NSW.

If you live in an apartment

Ask: "Can you work on my lot door without changing the building entry?" Building doors usually belong to the owners corporation.

If it is a heritage door

Ask: "Can you repair or work with the existing hardware, rather than cutting the door?" On older terraces in Surry Hills and Paddington, keeping the original door intact matters.

If it is a business

Ask: "Who will hold the key records, and will you keep copies of our master keys?" The answer to the second part should be no. See commercial locksmith.

If it is a car

Ask: "Can you program a key for my exact make, model and year, or does it need the dealer?" A good automotive locksmith will tell you honestly before travelling. See automotive locksmith.

Red flags at a glance

If you notice two or three of these together, find another locksmith.

• No business name or address.
• A price that seems far too low.
• Pressure to decide quickly.
• Drilling suggested immediately for a standard lock.
• No questions about who you are.
• Cash only, no invoice.
• An unmarked vehicle and no identification.
• Different names on the website, phone and van.

Questions to ask yourself, too

Some of the most useful questions are ones you answer yourself before calling. They help the locksmith quote accurately and avoid a wasted trip.

• What exactly is the problem? Locked out with keys inside, keys lost, a lock that sticks, a lock that turns but does not engage, or a lock damaged in a break-in. Each is a different job.
• Which door, and what kind? Front or back, timber or glass, apartment lot door or terrace street door.
• Can I see a brand name on the lock? It is usually on the faceplate on the edge of the door, or on the key.
• Can I take a photo? A clear photo of the lock face and the edge of the door often tells a locksmith more than a long description.
• Who needs to agree? If you rent or live in a strata building, someone else may need to approve the work.
• What is my budget? It is fine to say so. A good locksmith will tell you what is achievable within it.

How to compare two quotes

If you have time to get more than one quote, compare them carefully. The lowest number is not always the cheapest outcome.

1. Check what is included. Does each quote include the call-out, labour, parts and keys?
2. Check the hardware. Two quotes for "a new deadlock" may involve very different locks. Ask for the brand and model.
3. Check the approach. One locksmith may suggest repair, another replacement. Ask each why.
4. Check the timing. Can each one actually come when you need them?
5. Check the business. Name, address, licence, reviews and how they spoke to you on the phone.

A quote that is slightly higher, from a business that explained everything clearly and recommended the simplest fix, is often the better choice.

Before an emergency happens

The best time to choose a locksmith is before you need one. Take five minutes now:

1. Find a local locksmith with a real address and honest hours.
2. Check their licence on the official register.
3. Save their number in your phone under "Locksmith".
4. Leave a spare key with someone you trust.

When something does go wrong, you will not be choosing from search ads at 11pm in the rain.

What you can expect from us

When you call Surry Hills Locksmith Service, you can expect:

• Our business name, our address and our real hours.
• A price or realistic range before we set off.
• An honest estimate of when we can reach you.
• A request for reasonable proof that you are entitled to access the property.
• Non-destructive entry wherever the lock allows.
• No change in price without your agreement.
• An itemised invoice.

We also tell you what we will not do. We do not claim to be open around the clock. We do not invent reviews or ratings. We do not publish how to bypass locks.

The bottom line

Before you hire a locksmith, ask who they are, where they are, what they will charge, whether they are licensed, and whether they will check you live there. Listen for clear, specific answers. Vague answers, low prices and pressure are your cue to keep looking.

To speak with a local locksmith, call Surry Hills Locksmith Service on 02 3820 5414, open 7 days, 7:00am to 12:00am, or request a quote and we will call you back.