Thinking about getting into locksmithing

[Raccoon]

I just want to repeat a few points and then I should be done with this thread.

The US is not the UK or Canada. There are amazingly few locksmiths per capa than anywhere else in the world. I don't know if this is a cultural issue, or what, but the US is simply an untapped market, with exception to the most major of cities. Since the original poster resides in Honolulu, which is a fairly big city in it's own right, he has surprisingly little competition in both full-service locksmiths and 24h lockout services. In fact, there are only 2 in the entire city that offer 24h lockout service.

As far as starting up your own business goes, one does not need a fully stocked van to start letting people back into their rental cars. I'll eventually have a van, but not for a few years yet. All I have is a bag full of tools, ads in 2 yellow pages, a business phone, and the skill necessary to service customers who get locked out. Start small and work your way up. Not everyone has wealth to back them up, nor should they need to be wealthy to start a small business. I'm starting my business on a <$500 budget, and it WILL succeed. This is far from a half-hearted attempt.

Another important issue that you're missing from the UK. There is NO licensing, NO certification, and as far as I know, NO apprenticeship programs in America. In fact, I just called every locksmith in Albuquerque and none of them are hiring squires to work under them. Schooling is also a rare thing in the US, especially if you're living in Hawaii. Schooling is also unnecessary with the advent of the Internet.

Your list is huge and not applicable to a start-up hopeful.
* Bag of tools,
* Business license,
* Business phone,
* Advertising,
* Skill.
* When you can afford insurance, get it.

The list goes on only when you start making some money to afford it. Unless you have rich parents.

Eric

[zeke79]

No licensing in America?? Thats odd.... Illinois requires it. I am very sure when I say that the licensing needs vary from state to state in the US.

[Raccoon]

My apologies. Illinois is the only state that requires a "license". They have a test you must pass, that's all. New York City (not the state) requires 2 locksmiths to vouch for you as a locksmith. California requires a simple background check and nothing else.

There may be other towns that have similar ordinances, but nothing that requires any sort of formal education or certification. I didn't mention these as they are negligible. To open your own hair salon, however, you HAVE to have years of schooling and renew your certification annually, and it's very expensive.

[zeke79]

A test is not all that is required. There is a hefty licensing fee, having proof of $1,000,000 liability insurance, etc.

There are other states the require licensing. I just cannot recall which they are off the top of my head.

[nickcufs]

A question, is there a lock picking collage/school/or other locksmiths willing to pass on the trade?

[pinky]

it is criminal to even consider trading without liability insurance, this is protection for your customer not for you, its obscene to think anyone would have such little respect for their customers as to trade without it.
It also offers you protection against losing your home and liberty following a mistake, that will happen if your learning on the job.

it is only crooks and those with something to hide that generaly avoid necessary insurances, and public liability insurance is a basic requirement for any honest business, and to only get it when you can afford it is scandalous, i hope for the sake of your customers no serious mistake happens when you trade.

You say you will succeed, and i hope you do, but with comments like only having insurance when you can afford it, suggests no more than a pipe dream that will cost someone dearly, i just hope this someone is you and not one of your unsuspecting customers.

[zeke79]

Pinky,

Can you get bonded in the UK? If I recall correctly you can get bonded for additional coverage above your insurance policy for very little money. If so, what are the advantages of doing this outside of the extra coverage?

[pinky]

The main advantage is in the event of a law suit one doesnt lose ones home and all ones possessions.
you can take out extra cover above the standard cover, for instance you can take out profesional indemnity insurance, ie , a locksmith gives advice that proves to be wrong so is sued, your covered.

Public liability is an essential, someone trips over your tool bag breaks their neck, they get compensated and you keep your house etc. this is a legal requirement in most trades in the uk.

you can get insurance against workmanship, ie whilst opening a car, you scratch the bodywork, set off an airbag. your covered, though this is expensive as is any insurance dealing with negligence risk.

The problem with most modern cars is that traditional air bags, slim jims and rods no longer do the job, overlifting sorts many of these, and power probing all of them, though power probing carries risk of damage, so any new guy attempting autos beware and no your limitations with wires and airbags, one has lost his life through slim jimming a vehicle and firing an air bag, alot of damage can be caused to many modern makes through rods, i certainly wouldnt tackle this work without suitable insurance coverage.

Ok it may seem like a luxury if you never use it, but you will be glad of it the first time you need it, may save your home and liberty, and it may ensure that your customer is not left high and dry.

[zeke79]

Thanks for clearing that up Pinky. I totally agree with you on the liability insurance. I was thinking that the bonding I had looked into was only around $30,000 so maybe it would be better to have an umbrella policy instead of bonding in the event that you are sued over your existing liability policy.

[Ezer]

I got the bond through The National Locksmith or Locksmith Ledger just because it was free. I was surprised when I got it though, because all it covers is if I make a key for someone and while doing so make one for myself. Then use that extra key to illegally enter and steal things. So basically in the U.S. anyway, someone saying that they're a bonded locksmith can mean much less than I thought it did.

[vector40]

You mean you can rob someone's house and be covered for it?

[pinky]

wow , only in america !

The bond is designed to cover fraud, its protection for the customer, the customer knows in booking a bonded locksmith they are covered against this type of fraud, this like liability insurance is essential to cover the customer and allow them to have confidence in you, it can also be a selling point.

[zeke79]

Thanks for clearing that up. I understand why I see many legitimate locksmiths I know advertise themselves as bonded and insured now.

[wraith]

I agree with DB on this one - there are several sides to this coin!

I own a "Lock-Out" business. I also install locks. I have no interest in making house keys, programming a transponder key, designing a master key system for a school, rekeying a house so 4 doors are keys alike, etc. Although I know how to do all of those things, and have done each of them on occasion.

I do have a business vehicle, a business phone, a YP ad, business cards, licenses, AND I carry a $2M liability insurance policy. I have bought some of my tools, and made a majority of the rest. I am serious about what I do for a living.

I am constantly trying to learn new techniques, learn about different types of locks, and generally how to make my business grow.

I believe that being a locksmith is more of a state of mind than a title of how much knowledge you posess. I enjoy the trade. I enjoy the challenge. I appreciate the imagination that goes into these relatively simple devices. I respect the skill needed to munipulate the pins to open a lock.

I liken it to when I was in the military. I was asked my a Colonel once what I was. I told her I was a mechanic. She corrected me, telling me, "No, you are a soldier, a warrior, and do not downplay your importance to your nation." I was shocked. She went on to expand, "You work on the equipment, that services our planes, that pilots fly, to an enemy position, to destroy the enemy, and to return safely. You take care of the generators that supply power to remote operations. You take care of the heaters that keep our soldiers and civilians warm, and A/C units that can keep them cool. You also help supply the power for reote hospitals to save lives. Without you, the system fails. There is a place for all of us, and without us, the system fails."

In locksmithing, there is a place for all of us, large and small, and all of us are important. Yes, there are scum that prey on people, as there is in all service industries, they will come and go. Some of us will survive because we will be constantly learning, constantly evolving, constantly updating our skills to meet new challenges.

If you don't want to help the next generation, then stand aside, because you do a disservice to our industry, as much as those imposters.

If the original poster is truly interested in locksmithing as a career, look aroudn this site, there's tons of information. Take a course. Practice. Start small, and work your way up. Visit the local SBA and SCORE offices. There's tons to do, take the first steps, and good luck!

Trey