This week AC Locksmiths attended another break-in in Holt. This was a town centre attack where the door is direct to pavement. Luckily, someone was home and caught one of the intruders, but they got in because the lock was not up to standard.
Burglaries are on the rise. Sometimes it is not even for the sake of theft, but just wilful damage. From Hunstanton to Happisburgh, AC Locksmiths is offering free security checks with no obligation quotes. Residential, Commercial, holiday homes, second homes and caravans. I can give you peace of mind. Not just with locks, but alarms and other security devices as well. A home invasion is not just about the things that are damaged or stolen. It affects mental health and your personal feeling of security.
Most of us think of our own homes when it comes to security, but what about those loved ones who don’t have access to the same level of digital information? Are your parents living with locks they got with the house in the 1960s? Do you care for a neighbour with locks that do not meet insurance standards? Do they understand their requirements. I can walk down certain roads in Norfolk towns and point out several easy to hit properties. High security locks are much better at blending in with our quaint cottages and rustic houses these days. Secure doesn’t have to be ugly.
In the first instance, you should check your locks for the British Standard Kite Mark. This shows a lock has been tested against multiple forms of attack and is a minimum requirement on many locks for insurance purposes.
For even more security, some products are “Sold Secure,” and are police approved on top of their kite mark.
If you would like to book a free, no obligation security check, please contact me on 07846643176
At the time of writing, I have just watched a BBC news item about people being ripped off by rogue locksmiths. I was shocked that one couple had been charged over £1,000 for a very basic job. The same firm quoted £40 for a lock out and were secretly filmed by the BBC. By the time the locksmith had performed a totally unnecessary drill job and replaced parts that didn’t need replacing, the bill was £400.
How They Get Away With It.
When you are locked out and desperate to get in, you are vulnerable and these unscrupulous traders are taking full advantage. The situation could be eased if the industry was regulated, but unfortunately, despite calls from real locksmiths to have regulation, there is none. That means although the certificates I hold from three bodies relating to my training, you can decide to be a locksmith tomorrow. You can go out and charge whatever you want like these rogues already do.
How Does A Real Locksmith Work Out Pricing?
Again, at the time of writing, I am the only locksmith I know of in my area that displays pricing on my website. But how does that all break down?
Let’s start with my £75 flat fee labour. I might be at your property for 10 minutes or up to two hours in extreme circumstances. But I am going to use today as an example. North Norfolk is a large area with sparse population. This morning I drove 50 minutes to Thornham. It took me 45 minutes to fit three locks, a keysafe and look at a gate that was hanging from its’ hinges. I then drove 50 mins home. My home time is spent writing this blog, catching up on accounts and researching/ordering parts at the best possible price. Later I will travel 30 mins to look at a job that may or may not result in work there, and then may need parts to be ordered. If I perform no actual work, there is no cost, but ordering parts means a second hour round trip when I return, so that job expectation is 2 hours before I even turn a screw. At worst today for 8 hours on the job, I have earned £75 in labour. At best £150. So between £9 and £18 per hour. Don’t get me wrong, most days are more than two visits. Due to distances and population sparsity, 4 visits a day are common, 6 is a really good day, and 8 have been known. But that goes way beyond normal working hours. On those higher number of visits days, at least two will be no fee security checks/quotes. My average labour earnings per day are £225. That is a healthy £28 per hour. Not bad you might think.
Out of the £225, comes around £25 fuel per day. Van maintenance, replacement tools like chisels and expensive specialist perishables. After all expenses, that comes down to £150 per day. £22 per hour. Just slightly above the average hourly rate for workers in the UK (£19.67). But wait, as a self employed person, I have no sick pay or holiday pay. If I want these things, I need insurances to pay for them, which I would have to pass on to you, the customer.
So where else do I make money? Well, I get trader’s discount on the products I supply. If you go to a hardware shop, you will get your locks cheaper than those I can supply. They are cheaper because they bulk buy hundreds of items at a time which gives them a greater discount, and they can offset prices by lowering the profit margin on bigger, more expensive goods. I can only carry a certain amount of products in the limited space of my van, and often need to order parts like handles as there are just too many different designs to hold in reserve. So yes, I do profit from the sale of products, but not as much as you might think is reflected in my price. I also need to cover my guarantee. If I provide you with a product and it fails, the chances of me getting that product back to my supplier undamaged is minimal. I don’t get my money back, but I still honour my pledge to you. Thankfully, I have learned to only fit quality products, although all my customers are free to ask for budget products with no guarantee.
Why is AC Locksmiths Norfolk Different?
I am so confident that my prices are fair, as I said earlier I display as much as I can on my site, something no one else does to the best of my knowledge. Also, I don’t pay people to get me superior rankings on Google or produce false AI testimonials as that would mean even more cost to you. Hopefully this blog has given you some insight as to how a real locksmith sets his prices and confidence that I will never take advantage of your vulnerability in a desperate situation.
When I first started locksmithing, if you wanted a new lock, you had a choice of brass/gold, chrome and polished chrome. If you wanted an antique look, there were black hammered wrought iron, but little else.
Over the years there has been little movement in those choices. Traditional mortice locks Often called “Chubb” locks have started to be replaced by locking cases with cylinder locks, but these have all had a more modern feel to them. A rural cottage looks a bit odd with a modern looking handle, and I never liked the black handle with brass cylinder combination.
But now, no more boring locks – there are a range of new colour cylinders that offer more choice. From black to antique brass, these open the way for more stylish handles.
You can even get them in thumb turns and they are kite marked so comply with your home insurance requirements.
If you want, you can also have pewter, but these are a bit more of a premium price right now.
Also, no more boring handles like this.
Say hello to handles that are noticed when people come to your door. Handles that make a great first impression….
Or that you live in regency France!
If you would like a free consultation on styles and costs with no obligation, please contact me.
The Importance of Changing Locks When You Move House
Why Replacing Your Locks Should Be a Top Priority After Relocating
Moving House? Don’t Forget to Change Your Locks
Moving into a new home is an exciting time, marked by new beginnings and fresh opportunities. Amidst the flurry of unpacking boxes, decorating rooms, and meeting new neighbours, one crucial task often slips down the to-do list: changing the locks on your new property. While it might seem like a minor detail, replacing the locks is a vital step in ensuring your family’s safety and peace of mind.
Security Starts at the Door
When you receive the keys to your new house, you can’t be certain how many copies exist or who might still have access. Previous owners, tenants, estate agents, cleaners, or even tradespeople could have keys that open your doors. By changing the locks, you take control of your home’s security from the very start, ensuring that only those you trust have access. I have lost count of the times that workers doing long jobs like extensions or renovations, lose keys. If you hand your key over to a tradesperson for an extended period, you simply don’t know if they or one of their employees makes a copy. Always give them a key to a minor use door if possible and change the lock once they have finished the work.
Peace of Mind for Your New Chapter
There’s nothing quite like the reassurance of knowing you’re the only keyholder. Changing the locks eliminates any risk of unwanted visitors and allows you to settle into your new home with confidence. The last thing you want during your first night in a new place is uncertainty over who might be able to let themselves in unannounced. I have actually known this to happen. After six months in their new house, a couple came home to find a neighbour looking around. The neighbour explained she had a key from the previous owner and was concerned because she had been watching the new owners and they had not returned at their normal time.
Insurance and Legal Considerations
Many home insurance policies require evidence of forced entry to cover burglary claims. If a break-in occurs and the thief uses an old key, you may find yourself ineligible for compensation. By replacing the locks, you not only protect your belongings but also ensure your insurance remains valid and effective. There are also an incredible number of older properties that simply do not have insurance rated locks. It is always best to seek professional advice. Many people confuse the locking mechanism on a upvc door for a 5 lever lock as stated in insurance policies.
When Should You Change Locks?
Ideally, locks should be changed as soon as you move in – before you start bringing in valuables or spending the night. If you’re renting, check with your landlord about replacing the locks, and ensure you comply with the tenancy agreement. For homeowners, it’s a straightforward process that can often be done in a single afternoon. As a tenant, it is worth offering to pay for new locks if the landlord won’t do it. Legally, they don’t have to, but morally your landlord should change the locks for you. This is an allowable expense, so no-one loses out. If you are a home buyer and intend to have work done quite quickly, either leave the lock changing until after the work is done or ask your local locksmith if they have some 2nd hand locks that can go in temporarily before the main change further down the line.
Professional Help or DIY?
While some may feel comfortable changing locks themselves, hiring a professional locksmith guarantees the job is done correctly and to a high standard. A reputable locksmith can also advise on upgrading to more secure or modern locking systems, offering an added layer of protection against break-ins. You might want to discuss smart locks or just get some advice.
Don’t Overlook Windows and Outbuildings
It’s easy to focus on doors, but remember to check and, if necessary, change locks on windows, garages, sheds, and side gates. These entry points are just as important for your overall security. A comprehensive approach ensures no weak links in your home’s defenses. When you move in, check all windows have a lock and key and that they operate correctly. Getting everything done in one go will save the cost of repeat visits in the future.
Wndow shuts & mechanism cleaned & serviced
Final Thoughts
In the whirlwind of moving house, changing the locks might seem like a small detail, but it’s one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect your loved ones and your possessions. By making this a priority, you’ll be able to enjoy your new home safe in the knowledge that you’re in control of who comes and goes.
After all, home is where you should always feel secure. Don’t leave it to chance—change your locks and start your new adventure the right way.
(OK, maybe not THE perfect Christmas present – but definitely something to think about!)
Practical, Thoughtful, and Full of Meaning
When it comes to choosing the perfect Christmas present, most of us find ourselves stuck between the latest gadgets, novelty jumpers, or a box of classic chocolates. But sometimes, the most memorable gifts are the ones we least expect. This year, why not consider breaking tradition and giving the gift of security, privacy, and peace of mind? Here’s why a lock could be the perfect Christmas present for your loved ones.
1. A Symbol of Security and Care
Christmas is all about showing the people in your life that you care. Gifting a lock—whether for a home, bicycle, locker, or suitcase—reflects your concern for their safety and well-being. It’s a gesture that quietly says, “I want you and your belongings to be safe,” and that’s a sentiment that will be appreciated long after the festivities are over.
2. A Practical Present They’ll Actually Use
Let’s be honest: how many presents end up collecting dust in a drawer by January? Unlike some novelty gifts, a lock is something people actually need. From safeguarding bikes on the daily commute to securing precious memories in a diary or jewellery box, a good lock is the gift that keeps on giving. With so many styles available—padlocks, smart locks, combination locks—there’s one to suit everyone’s needs.
3. Suitable for All Ages and Lifestyles
Locks are versatile gifts for all generations. Children might need a sturdy padlock for their school locker, while teenagers could use a lock for their gym bag. Adults will appreciate a reliable bike or door lock, and seasoned travellers will love a TSA-approved luggage lock. No matter the age or lifestyle, everyone has something worth protecting.
4. Encourages Good Habits
Giving a lock as a present isn’t just about the item itself—it’s about encouraging responsibility and good habits. For children and teens, it’s a gentle nudge towards looking after their possessions. For adults, it can be a timely reminder to update security, whether at home or on the move.
5. Personalisation Adds That Special Touch
Locks may seem utilitarian, but they can also be deeply personal. Many locks can be engraved with a name, a special date, or a message. Imagine the delight of receiving a padlock with a heartfelt engraving, perhaps to commemorate a special Christmas or a new home. It transforms a simple object into a keepsake.
6. Affordable Yet Meaningful
The festive season is not just about grand gestures; it’s the thought that counts. Locks are typically affordable, making them a brilliant choice for stocking fillers or Secret Santa gifts. Yet, their meaning runs deeper than their price tag, offering both practicality and sentiment in one neat package.
7. A Nod to Tradition (With a Modern Twist)
In some cultures, locks are exchanged as tokens of love and longevity—think of couples attaching padlocks to bridges as symbols of enduring affection. Gifting a lock this Christmas gives a nod to those traditions, while also embracing the latest in security technology, from fingerprint padlocks to smart door locks.
Conclusion
So, if you’re on the hunt for a Christmas present that’s practical, meaningful, and sure to be appreciated, look no further than a lock. It’s a gift that says “I care,” and offers peace of mind all year round. After all, isn’t that what Christmas is all about?
A day in the life of your friendly neighbourhood locksmith
Just recently I had a call from a gentleman looking to start up as a locksmith in another county. He wasn’t going to be my competition, so I thought I’d take five minutes to answer his questions and give him some advice. Half an hour later, we were still talking and I had only scratched the surface. Being a locksmith in the UK is hard compared to other places.
From what I read of American locksmiths, their locks are pretty easy to pick but they are pretty standard, so locksmiths tend to re-key locks rather than replace the whole thing. That means they are used to dealing with the same locks day in, day out. Re-keying is where you take out the old pins, put new ones in, using a different configuration and cut keys to match. Across as much of Europe as I have been, the locks are usually euro cylinders, the type we see most commonly in UPVC doors. These are everywhere, and again, pretty easy to get through if you know what you are doing and have the correct tools.
But here is the UK, you never know what sort of lock you are going to find. Nightlatches (Yale locks), mortice (Chubb) locks in 2, 3, 5 or even 7 lever varieties, Rim locks mounted on to one side of the door with a long key, wooden doors, metal doors, composite doors, hollow doors, upvc doors and on and on and on. UPVC doors have in excess of 37 mechanism manufacturers, all whom produce multiple designs with multiple sizes of those designs. To be prepared for any situation, I would need to go to every job in an articulated lorry! If you ever think of going into this business, you must be prepared to learn a lot on the job. Even now, I am coming across things I have never seen before in over 13 years on the job.
So what is my day like? Unlike city locksmiths, being one of the few Norfolk locksmiths, my area is huge. Norfolk has quite a sparse population well spread out and with a notion that we are a ‘safe’ county. That means I can drive for up to an hour to reach my jobs. Admittedly, I do try to keep local, but right now, there is a massive shift in holiday let fire regs and I am racing across the North Norfolk coast fitting thumb turn locks for all those that need keyless escapes. That means from my base, I travel all the way to Hunstanton in one direction and as far as Happisburgh in the other. I will go further, but this is my main focus.
So, Monday means getting to the first job for 9. Mondays are always busy so this will be booked from last week. By the time I finish the first job, I’ve been interrupted by two more bookings and two or more advice calls. With something unexpected happening at the first job (customer not there because they decided to walk the dog and leave me waiting for half an hour, I am already late for the second job. But one of those calls I just received is from someone locked out with desperate need to get back in and pick up the CV they need for their job interview. They are also on a large divert from a direct route to my original second (now third job). With no time to put anything away tidily in my van (my wife never believes that), I hurry to the lock out. Five minutes away, I get the call that the lockout has found a neighbour with a key and they don’t need me. So now I am really late for the second job and have nothing to show for it. Luckily, when I get to the second job, it is really easy for me and I am away in fifteen minutes, catching up time, but not enough to keep my van tidy (honestly, wife!)
The third job is a long distance one, so there and back is nearly three hours. Unfortunately, I need to order parts, so apart from getting them secure, there is not much to do. That’s three (nearly four) visits and only two have resulted in me getting paid today (I don’t usually charge if I can’t do anything). I then come home. I have a backlog of paperwork to do, parts to order and a van tidy to ignore (tomorrow when the weather is better!) During this time, more calls come in and more appointments/queries need to be addressed via email. But Monday is my favourite day. I play football on a Monday night so it is the one time I can switch off. I have been known to go to jobs after playing 5 aside football, but now I ache too much. Any other night I am ready to go when the phone rings. This last week it was Friday and Sunday nights, but luckily on both, I was home by 11pm, so in bed ready for the next day. Tuesday is likely to be more easy jobs like measuring up for thumb turn locks, because I am a wuss with the football (maybe next day for the van tidy!). But the emergencies come in anyway and I can only hope for the long drives in between!
99% of people understand that locksmiths are different to most other traders. We don’t often get big jobs like builders. Most of our time is in between jobs. So when we turn up and get you inside your home in five minutes, the money you pay is for the time to get to you, to return home, the fuel, wear and tear on the van, the time advertising, doing paperwork and eventually tidying the van!
Recently, I have been having a few calls from customers asking me to gain entry to their safes. Either codes have been forgotten, keys have been lost, or batteries (in electronic safes) have been allowed to run down to flat.
Within the locksmithing industry, opening safes is a whole extra level of learning and the courses, along with the correct quality tools are rather expensive. This in turn makes the cost to the customer quite expensive as well. In Norfolk, there are just not enough customers for me to take on the extra expense. To make it worthwhile, I would have to put up my normal prices, and I am trying to keep as competitive as possible. While there are other locksmiths in Norfolk who will gain access to your safe, and I will be happy to guide you to them, safe opening is not something I generally do. There are exceptions, however. If your safe is small, the chances are I can get in through destructive methods and provide a new safe for a similar cost to the safe specialist simply gaining entry (they might also use destructive methods and charge more).
Better still, good practical maintenance of the safe is always the best course of action. A common scenario is when an elderly relative passes away and the family discover that the safe with all the important documents is battery operated and the batteries have long since gone flat because they were never changed. If you have elderly relatives, remind them to change the batteries yearly. Make sure you have at least two keys and they are stored in places where they cannot be damaged. One key should be kept at another safe location. I have had a case where one key was lost and the spare had been kept….in the safe itself (a common mistake with spare car keys as well – keeping the spare key in the glove compartment is not a good idea)! Simply opening the safe on a regular basis just to make sure all the levers seem to be working good, is also good practice. And always observe the “you get what you pay for rule.” If you buy a cheap safe from the high street, the chances are it will not last.
While I have said I do not generally gain entry to safes, I do provide and install all sizes of safe from the small ones that will hold documents to commercial sizes. I recommend that any household safe be replaced every ten years at the very maximum. I am also happy to arrange annual safe maintenance visits and do the things like battery changes that many people seem to forget. My aim is to make sure you can access your valuables when you need to by having the work done when it is economically convenient, rather than face a high call out fee at a time when you least need it.
Should you require a free consultation about safe installation, or just a question about the above or any of my other blog subjects, please do get in touch via any of the methods on my contacts page.
Big things are happening at AC Locksmiths; I went to an industry Expo this past weekend (exciting stuff, I know!) and came away with the feeling that while I have been happy with the service I have thus far provided for my customers, there is room for improvement.
Regular readers of my blogs will know I am driven to educate my customers that fitting BSI kite marked products ensures, at the very least, that insurance standards are met. Yet, I still carry many non-kite marked products as I have also had to compete with other locksmiths on price. This has always been hard, because I have yet to find another locksmith who advertises their costs. So therefore, I am contradicting myself. With that in mind, come this Spring, instead of fitting like for like standard locks with the option to upgrade, I will be fitting the best standard locks I can in all cases, where possible.
To give an example of the difference, let’s look at the barrel lock of a UPVC door. If your barrel does not display a kite mark, it’s a bit like having a small factory standard hatch back car. It serves a purpose. There are modifications you can make, but the barrel is still vulnerable as the car is still a hatchback and you wouldn’t want to drive across America in one. You can now buy kite marked cylinders in the shops. These however, are 1 star rated and still vulnerable to attack and so you need extra products like armoured handles or cylinder guards. So this is like the factory standard family saloon car. More comfort, but you still need to buy the extras to want that something special. The locks I will be carrying to fit as standard are made by British Company ABS and they are a stand alone 3 star and Sold Secure Diamond rated. This is like the car you want to own. For me it’s a ’69 Corvette. For my wife it’s an Audi A4. For you it might be a Lexus, or a McClaren F1. The point is, this lock is that good! BS3621 has now been superseded by a new standard which is TS007, and this lock fits this standard without buying additional products. At the price I will charge for this product (more on that later) it will be cheaper to install than buying a 1 star rated barrel from the shops and the extra kit to achieve the same level of protection.
Of course it will not always be possible to install the very best and I am always understanding of budgets, so as always, I will be happy to order standard products and return within 48 hours at no extra cost with the lesser quality product. In extreme cases, second hand products will be available, subject to undamaged removal from previous properties (although these will not have the same guarantees).
In addition to the above, I can provide more security in the form of safes to fit all requirements, be it for documents, jewellery, lap tops and beyond, even up to commercial level. I have a full brochure of safe products, most of which can be delivered and fitted within the week.
Of course, for all the locking products in the world, I cannot make or install burglar proof glass and there is always the window as a method of entry for the determined intruder. And with that in mind, I also install wireless CCTV and alarm systems which can even send a direct message to your mobile phone and be pet friendly, allowing your animals to roam free while being alert for larger human size intruders.
I also intend to improve on my already outstanding personal service, (see testimonials page) by explaining the items I am fitting and what makes them great in more detail so my customers know that they are getting true value for money. So, what about cost? Well, the Spring and Summer seasons are going to be a trial period.
* I am freezing my labour cost at £50.00 flat fee regardless of time (remember most charge hourly).
* I am also going to keep my work labour free if the locking products come to more than £100.
* A full BSI 3621 Nightlatch kit will remain at £116.00 (cheaper than buying it yourself and paying labour to have it fitted).
* If it is just a Rim cylinder (Yale type lock) that you need the price is rising to £38.00 as I will be using the ABS range which are as good as the UPVC barrels described above.
* A mortice (Chubb) with handles will remain at £62.00
* A mortice deadlock (no handles) will rise to £44.00
* The ABS UPVC Euro cylinder will trial throughout Spring and Summer for £62.00
* The Standard UPVC Euro cylinder will remain at £42.00 (although you may have to wait 48 hours for one to be ordered)
Of course there are many more products that I supply and fit, all of which I will price for you before ever starting any work so you can decide whether to go ahead or not. Please check back for updates as to exact start dates for the new prices and please feel free to contact should you have any questions.
AC Locksmiths is committed to giving its customers the best service possible at the best possible price, but I am sometimes asked why locking products can be expensive when compared to the shops, and why locksmiths’ prices vary so much. So, in the interest of full transparency, I will do my best to explain and give you, the customer an informed choice as to which locksmith you should use.
In research for this blog, I have been unable to find one single other locksmith brave enough to advertise a labour rate. This is because they change their rates depending on time of day, day of the week, bank holidays, etc. My rate is a flat cost of £50. I do advertise this as an hourly rate, but have never charged beyond the first hour, so whether I am at your house for five minutes or five hours, the cost is the same. £50 may seem like a lot of money if I am only with you for a short time to get you into your home, but when you take into consideration my fuel and car running costs, time to get to and from your property, advertising, web site running, and all the other little costs that are needed to run a small business, I can promise you there is very little actual profit margin. But to charge more would bring me too close to the competition and I want to be able to give my customers value for money.
But what about the locks? Yes, like all locksmiths I make profit on these, but again not as much as you might think. Sometimes my products are twice as expensive as what you might pay in a DIY store but there are reasons for this. Big name stores have the buying power to buy their items in bulk, gaining them huge discounts. They can also spread their profits across all the items in store, so are even able to price some smaller products very low and counter that with a larger profit on a larger item. I, on the other hand, only have the capacity for smaller amounts of stock, meaning I have to take more time to make orders, pay for more delivery fees and pay more myself as I cannot get the large order discounts. So again, my profit margin is not nearly so great, even though I am charging more than the big name shops. You pay more through me because I have to carry stock that I might not need for six months, but I want to have the right lock on hand when you need it wherever possible. But even if I don’t have what you need on board, that is my problem and unlike some locksmiths, I won’t charge a second time when I return with the correct parts.
I also use the best quality products I can. After all, I give all my customers a guarantee of my work and do not want to be called back against that guarantee. I am also happy for you to source your own locks for me to fit. My running costs come out of my labour, so my customers are more than welcome to provide their own locks for me to fit.
Another query came from an estate agent who asked about a difference in price from a lock I supplied and the one he found on line. The door in question was upvc. Readers of my previous blogs will know I am trying to educate my readers and customers to the fact that most upvc door locks do not meet insurance standards as they are not BS3621 rated. If I replace one of these for a customer, I give them a choice of replacing like for like or upgrading to the insurance standard. But if I come across a kite marked cylinder, I must replace it with another kite marked cylinder because no locksmith worth having would downgrade any customer’s security. So when I replaced a like for like BS3621 rated cylinder, the estate agent looking after the property questioned the cost as he had found a cylinder on line for a fraction of the cost. Needless to say I looked up the lock the estate agent found and discovered it to be a brand I had never heard of and only of standard non-insurance rating, therefore the comparison was a waste of time. When you use a tradesman, part of the cost goes into the expertise of knowledge. I know that my insurance rated cylinders for upvc doors are better than the ones you can buy in the DIY superstore and yes, they are more expensive. But I know they will also do a better job of deterring break ins.
Before I sign off this blog, I want to give one final example of how pricing can vary; I found a product very similar to one of my locks in a well known DIY store recently and it was nearly half the price I charge. This made me question the price I had set. A day later, I happened to be in another well known (but not as popular) DIY store where I found the same product was over £10.00 more than the first DIY store. That’s more than £10 difference between two big name companies. Now either one is simply overcharging, or the other is off setting losses against other profits because the lock was branded the same and would have come from the same supplier. Less than a week later, I happened to be in a more localised DIY and hardware shop where the same product was a lot closer in price to my own. This last shop was still very big and had a huge range of products to offset profits with, and even though still less than my own price, their profit margin was obviously much more.
And so I hope this explains why sometimes, the products I have on board may be more expensive than similar ones you can buy in the shops. The prices I set are as fair as I can possibly make them and I am not scared to advertise my prices as I believe an honest pricing system backed up by a friendly, efficient service will, and does, bring in recommendations, repeat custom and happy customers.
Regular readers of my blog will know by now that AC Locksmiths Norfolk wants to spare as many people as possible from wasting money on National Companies, not just in the locksmithing trade, but others as well such as plumbing, electrical, etc. I am not going to say that the National Companies have not been a help to me, because I would not have survived without sub-contract work and it continues to help pay the bills. This is the first reason I still do it. The second is that by sub-contracting out, my vehicle is also seen more – which generates my own private business. While I never give out my own cards whilst doing work for other companies, (this would breach my contract with them) hopefully the signage on my vehicle is seen by neighbours who might use me direct in the future.
All the above being said, it pains me to turn up at properties and have to charge the customers nearly double the amount I would be asking for if it were my own work.
So why do these large, nationwide companies need to charge so much?
Firstly, between forty and fifty per cent of the cost is to pay the sub-contractor and materials used. They then have the costs of large adverts in local directories, payments to ensure they are at the top of internet search engines as well as local telephone number diversions so that they can make you believe they are actual local companies. They also then need teams oftelephone operators to take the calls from all over the country as well as their managers, IT specialists and of course their company directors. That is a lot of money to pay out before they even think of profits.
This all means that there are certain things these companies have to do to maximise their profits. There may be encouragement of more destructive entry methods that destroy the locks, thus meaning more profit in the mark-up of a new product. Some will charge labour twice if the engineer does not have the required products on board (- quite common when there are so many locking devices, especially for UPVC doors that are not easily inter-changeable.) Some will take your debit card details up front making you uneasy about shopping around. Some will give you an expected arrival time, with no idea where they are going to find a sub-contractor to do the actual work and then keep you hanging for up to two hours, before giving an excuse as to why the engineer could not make it. Then there is VAT. Because they have high cash turn overs, they have to charge VAT. That is an extra £20 on top of every £100 you spend. In most cases, you are paying nearly £100 just for the locksmith to be there and although there may be “no call out fee” as soon as the engineer touches your locking product he or she is into the “£ per hour or uncompleted part thereof” clause.
This means that for something simple like a broken window handle on a double glazed unit, the engineer may have to spend a few minutes securing the window in the shut position requiring one payment of nearly £100 including VAT. Unless you have the most basic of handles, he or she will have to go away and order another one. When he or she comes back, there will be another labour charge of nearly £100 plus the small cost of the new handle. It should take less than ten minutes. These labour rates are just weekday office hours as well. If you need someone in the evening, or at weekends or on bank holidays, i.e. when you are not at work, then the charges go up. So unless you want to lose money by taking time off work, you have to pay more to have the locksmith come to you at a convenient time. You can’t win. The national companies have to charge more to encourage their sub-contractors to work the so called unsociable hours, though.
When you see the reasons for the high costs, it all makes sense. After all, no-one creates a business without wanting to make a good profit and the larger the company, the more overheads there are and the more you need to do to make a profit. But for the customer, it is a large pay out. You are essentially paying a large company to contact a locksmith local to you who would do the work for him or herself at a fraction of the cost and he or she will still be better off than taking on that same job through the national company. And this is not just true of locksmiths. Other trades have national companies that use sub-contractors as well;- Glazers, plumbers and electricians amongst others can all use sub-contract workers, especially in the emergency work areas.
So what can you do to save on these extra costs. Well, the best way takes a bit of planning and a little time, but is well worth it. I have mentioned this in a previous blog, but it really works. Sit down and think about all the services you may ever need. Plumbers, carpenters, decorators, chimney sweeps, mechanics and all the others you can think of. Look through the internet or local directories and find those tradesmen who are local. Ring them up and ask if they are genuinely local and if so, what their labour rates are, including VAT (you don’t want surprises). Write the information down somewhere safe. Do this until you have two or three for each trade (you never know your first choice may be unavailable when you need them). If you can, put these numbers in your mobile phone. They may come in handy if you are with a friend or, in the case of a locksmith, you may lose your keys but still have your mobile phone. You will also get a feel for the type of person you may be required to use in the future and notes are always good. For example, someone who is cagey about their labour rates may be the sort of person who makes it up as they go along and therefore only to be used if your other options fail. You might prefer a cheery tradesman to a grumpy one, or someone who is more willing to discuss what they do and how they do it. This is time consuming but well worth the effort if you need a tradesman in an emergency. This will also help you better know the range of services offered by your local trades people. For example, I recently did a window handle change through a National Company. The customer did not know locksmiths did this and had requested a double glazing engineer. Luckily, the particular company worked both fields and was able to allocate the work to me.
If you do not want to go through the above process, then when you do need the tradesperson, ask at the beginning of the phone call if they are truly local. Will they sub-contract the job? Where exactly are they based? Can you talk to the actual person who is coming out to you? At the end of the day, if they are going to sub-contract the work, then the person they will use is available through direct contact and you should try another number and pay less for the same service. Small adverts in local directories are not cheap so ask yourself would a genuine local trader take out a huge advert in the yellow book, or is that likely to be a national company using a local number?
So, now you have read this, please feel free to copy and paste it and send it to all your friends and family. In times of austerity, we could all do with spending less for work we have done. Plus supporting your local businesses means boosting the local economy. Win Win!
If you have any further questions, please contact me through any of the methods on our contacts page. ac-locksmiths-norfolk.co.uk
