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Newbie questions (again!)

This is the old Locksmith business info area and will be broken down to fill in the new sections below.

Newbie questions (again!)

Postby Big ade » 19 Jul 2009 18:47

Right here i go, im sorry and have noticed that some questions have already been asked and answered. But thought id asked again as some were dated back to 2004.

Im mechanicly minded, and enjoy tinkering with things (im a massive petrol head/adrenaline junkie and love anything with a engine or anything that go fast) and love stripping stuff apart just to see how it works then rebuilding it.

Im having my hours cut at my main job with a possabilty of being made redundant (im a sia badged security guard during the week and doorman at weekends). I was a warrant officer for a debt collection agency for a little over two years (collecting out standing debts for gas and electric companys) and then a balliff for nearly a year collecting court fines. So already know roughly what is needed etc, but found it very interesting at how its all done. I was lucky and made some good friends with the lockies on the warrants and they showed me how things worked whilst we had a break or what ever whilst waiting for a call from a energy company for the go ahead.

I know roughly how much costs will be to start up (im going to carry on with my job till im comfortable, then start as a locksmith when i can do the common locks whilst i work as security guard as work is very flexible) from around 3-4yrs ago! dont worry im not planning on going a bodge it and run course im looking at the mla (just a shame bout the long process), and then becomming a member of the mla/bli. ive done some research and there already 15 locksmiths within a 30 mile radius of me and apporx 90-100 in the kent area but only approx being 15 on the mla register!!! All those are at least an hours drive from me too. Im looking at starting with homes and comercial propertys 1st then when i feel like and tucked away some money work the cars.

1/ What kind of costs am i looking at nowadays? Tools, clothing etc (i already know what kind of van i need/want)

2/ What tools will i need? and is it worth having a mobile key cutting machine?

3/ What other courses are there? and are there any better than mla or over a 2/3 or even 4 week course in stead of over a couple of months? saw that a memeber called pinky done one some where on the forum but he hasnt posted since 2006. Is he still about?

4/ Is there any recent news on a licence in the near furture? as from what ive been reading this industry really needs one!

5/ Am i just flogging a dead horse? lol.


Im also lucky enough to already have my brothers other half already offer me a work at the zoo/s she works for with work if i pass/ do the course. also my friends runs a local letting agents and has also offered me work for changing locks/ evictions etc.

Also my other friends father owns a local security buissness fitting alarms, fog bandits, and all kinds of other security measures to local premises within a 15mile radius of my town, and has said he'll take me out on lock outs etc (he gets around 4-6 a week) and show me whats done i.e. how to make keys, picks, show more how locks are stripped etc all aspects of locksmithing as much as he can for free, he'll also let me use his office to pratice on some of his old locks in and even let me take some home to pratice on. then once im set up, and got everything i will need they will call me for the lock outs etc as they are snowed under with alarms etc. Is there worth doing?


Many thanks and sorry in advance for all the repeated questions

Ade. 8)
Big ade
 
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Joined: 17 Jul 2009 15:28

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