Locksmithing part-time Help.

[oaksy]

I want to start a Locksmith Business in the next year i hope. But i can only do it part-time that means i can only do it at nights.???
As i have a full time job that i do and im not going to stop doing it...
I only want to start off small and i only want the extra cash, im not looking for aload of cash in this job..

1..
The thing is how would i go on if someone called me in the day to do a job????????
Do i have a word with a local locksmith and set something up with him???
Or do i try and get someone part time working for me?????

2..
Plus what Area should i cover how many miles????

3..
I was thinking about other locksmiths that are on the outskirts off my area and that are on this site trying to send some business there way.Like putting there websites,Address on my web space or something like that?????

4..
Also is there any locksmiths on this site that have the same problems that i have meaning that they can only do jobs fitting around there full time work????????

Thanks guys for any help

[Chrispy]

Hey oaksy.

From what you've described, you might be better off doing lock-outs (or gain entries, whatever you want to call them) only. If you already have a full time job during the day then your workload will consist of after hours lock-outs. This means a) you'll have to be proficient in all types of gain entries (car, house, etc.) and b) you'll be getting f*ck-all sleep.

[wtf|pickproof?]

Did you think about working for another lockie? Maybe you can find one who is happy if there is someone else he can send out at night.

just my 0,02€

[toomush2drink]

I would think long and hard if you are going down this route. If your only going to do night time jobs are you only looking at lock outs ?If so what tools do you have or intend to buy.How are you going to carry all these tools ,car or van ? What stock are you going to carry ? A lot of stock is needed as if people are locked out after losing their keys they normally want the locks changed, this can mean all the locks on the property. Where do you intend to advertise and how much is your budget ? Remember this isnt like picking a few cylinders at home, picking locks on the door isnt always easy.Who are you going to ring if you get stuck ? or will you just walk away.If you dont have all the bs mortice picks does that mean you intend to drill ? Do you have all the drill points and public liability insurance ?Can you use a curtain pick,2in 1 and wires ?
I would say the majority of my own work is fitting and replacing locks during the day.You would be amazed at how much stock is required to cover most eventualities, a few euros wont cut it, you need all the sizes and finishes.

Think long and hard before commiting to this as you may not recoup your outlay on a few night lockouts alone,you wont get anywhere near as many as you think you would.

[oaksy]

@ toomush2drink

I fully understand what you are on about mate...I just want everyone views on this...thanks toomush2drink..

Some people on here must have started this part time?????

[NKT]

Well, I did, but only in as much as I'm already my own boss, so leaving the web design or whatever for an hour or two isn't an issue.

However, I gave up on that idea after about two weeks. There is not enough work yet, but the amount to learn, practise, sort, make, test, etc. is huge. The expenditure means that even trying to go in gently to start was a waste of time. I don't want to be carp, so I'm putting a lot into this lark, and the other jobs are now the part-time ones.

[toomush2drink]

NKT has hit the nail on the head this trade takes time to become good at it on any where near good at it. What happens is is that you go on a job and have a lock make a fool out of you or take ages trying to get in through a silly mistake like a dropped snib and you go away and practise and practise or buy more tools. Maybe you got in but didnt have the right lock on the van so it means another trip. It all adds up in time and cost. Yes others have started part time but i dont think many have done it on 9-5 jobs. I did shiftwork so it wasnt so bad,but it meant i worked all the hours under the sun. What are you going to do when that phone wakes you up 3 hours before work, take the call or leave it ? now your awake so will probably feel crap at work too.
I dont wish to sound negative but i do feel im telling it how it is rather than the glossy version you get from a lot training schools.

[oaksy]

Thanks guys...I will think about it for a few years yet then...The thing is a run a Architectural Reclamation yard and im not going to stop doing that...i will just keep picking

[wraith]

1.The thing is how would i go on if someone called me in the day to do a job????????
Do i have a word with a local locksmith and set something up with him???
Or do i try and get someone part time working for me?????

2..
Plus what Area should i cover how many miles????

3..
I was thinking about other locksmiths that are on the outskirts off my area and that are on this site trying to send some business there way.Like putting there websites,Address on my web space or something like that?????

4..
Also is there any locksmiths on this site that have the same problems that i have meaning that they can only do jobs fitting around there full time work????????

1. I have several local locksmiths that I am aquaintances with. I've bartered with them for time. If I can't get to a call - either by time of day or area, or i'm just plain busy - I tell a client that I am unavailable, but please cal "Bob at ABC Locksmith, tell him Trey sent you, and he'll take very good care of you..." So far I haven't had any problems.

2. That's entirely up to you. I personally will drive up to 30 miles - but I charge more.

3. I'm not sure what you mean?

4. Most of my calls are during the nights and on weekends, so i'm slow during the day, so I run packages. I make good money, and i'm lucky that if I get a call, all I have to do is tell the dispatcher I have a call... I am running an ad in the YP, i've passed out business cards, and the irony is that i'm meeting more clients during my courier runs

Trey