warrant work

by **learner** » 18 Oct 2006 5:04

hi,

i'm in need of some advice - I have been working as a locksmith for almost a coupleof years and alot of the work i do is sub contacting for the firms I'm sure you're all aware of.

I keep getting approached by companies asking me if i do warrant work, but as i am not confident enough to be able to say I can always get in without damaging the lock Ihave shyed away from this type of work - although I would like to get into it because i think it would be a regular income.

I am practising my picking skills so that i can be more confident in overcoming the lock quickly and effectively. Can anybody out there offer me any advice on what is islike to do this type of work? - the methods you use for over coming the locks ( picking, non destrcutive drilling etc ) - whether this type of work is worth getting in to. The tools/equipment you use most - basically any advice all you seasoned pro's out than can offer me would be greatly appreciated
many thanks
e

by **p team** » 18 Oct 2006 5:59

Learner this is not meant to be disrespectful.If you have to ask you are not ready to do this type of work.What you need is more evenings in the shed practicing.If you have a list of 10 callouts with the man from the gas company on your back waiting for you to get in so he can go home by lunch time any short comings will soon show up.
When my phone (hopefully) rings for car lockouts i know from loads of days in scrap yard i am going to get in.As for 5 lever locks i tremble even though i practice all the time.Its all about practice and confidence.
Warrant work can be both profitable and a good professional challenge.It might be an idea to do a two day course with some one like Pinky who will take you out on a warrant run with him as part of the training.I hope this helps.

by **Romstar** » 18 Oct 2006 10:48

If you think irrate customers are a pain, just wait until you have to guarantee ND entry to another professional on a time schedule.

Practice like mad, and learn to relax. Tense muscles are the worst thing you can have in the field. It messes up all of that practice you spent so much time doing.

The other piece of advice was great. Get someone like Pinky to take you on a warrant run, and you can see first hand what will be expected of you.

Sometimes I really hate "contract" work. Instead of irrate customers, you have bad situations, and at least one other professional waiting on your skill. It can be nerve wracking.

Romstar

by **acl** » 18 Oct 2006 15:06

The irate gas rep and fitter are the least of your worries compared to the VERY irate guy whos house you have just broken into !

by **paul1982** » 18 Oct 2006 15:21

I have done some contract work for a company working with county court bailiffs on a few occasions on repossessions not the best side of the job but it pay's well and someone needs to do it i guess.
I do work NDE. Time after time the bailiffs complain that it don't take so long for other locksmiths. They don't fraff around with fancy tools. "CAN'T YOU JUST DRILL IT". Even though 80% of the time your quicker then the so called locksmith. I try to ignore it and get on with it but there is always one who won't lay off, and keeps making comments. You have to just work through it, and concentrate on job in hand.
If time permits i will get to the job half hour early to suss out the tools ill need so there ready.
So it can be off putting to do this type of job and to the time scale, but if you can ignore them and get on and do it. Your pretty much cope in any other type of circumstance. Plus if an estate agent is there its impressive to them and they remember you and are happy to take a business card. I have gained a lot off work this way also.
So i like the others would say go into warrant work when your comfortable and confident.

by **acl** » 18 Oct 2006 17:53

Whilst i agree (and admire) your nde stance , repossesions are a different kettle of fish to warrants. With a repo you are going to have to change locks anyway(so the old tenant can no longer gain entry) On a gas/electric warrant you need to gain entry and leave locks as they were. So the emphasis is on nde much more with a warrant than repo. I reckon on repos id think the agent wouldnt care wether you used the drill and it would be be down to proffesional pride.A warrant on the other hand would leave you holding keys to a pis*ed of customers house.

by **pinky** » 18 Oct 2006 20:07

only 10 gas warrants in a day, if only , these days you go out with between 20 and 40 in a day on gas work.

warrants are a steady income, but power companies are becoming far more demanding, especially with damage, and just to correct one point made, there is no such thing as non destructive drilling, there is drilling and leaving the lock functional but not to be confused with non destructive.

al is a well known warrant locksmith with an enviable record of 4 years of no drilled locks, a mean feet when out on warrants every day, and this is the standard the power companies are starting to expect and demand.

acl is spot on too, repo work really isnt an issue for drilling as all locks are being replaced, but if you can pick quicker than drill no rep will complain , you work to your own standards and ability on these.

by **bumpit** » 18 Oct 2006 20:15

I know this has little to do with your problem but I agree with Romstar. It is very difficult to pick under pressure. I pick a hard lock I have been trying for a few days and then decide to go show my parents. If It takes me over a minute my dad makes comments, I thought locksmiths were paid by the hour" or "I'm waiting" It really gets under your skin. I have learned to block it out but I bet it gets way harder for secret agents or for Warrants. Learn to zone out and relax it will help you.

by **brmse** » 18 Oct 2006 22:33

this thread has got me thinking, what is a lock that is unpickable in the NDE dept, I guess I will have to get a card reader system like most hi-tek companies use these days or something electric, who picks those?

by **UWSDWF** » 18 Oct 2006 22:41

brmse wrote:this thread has got me thinking, what is a lock that is unpickable in the NDE dept, I guess I will have to get a card reader system like most hi-tek companies use these days or something electric, who picks those?

no lock that accepts a key is unpickable

by **UWSDWF** » 18 Oct 2006 22:42

UWSDWF wrote:
brmse wrote:this thread has got me thinking, what is a lock that is unpickable in the NDE dept, I guess I will have to get a card reader system like most hi-tek companies use these days or something electric, who picks those?
no lock that accepts a key is unpickable

correctin my drunk arse.... pickable not unpickable

by **Romstar** » 19 Oct 2006 1:39

acl wrote:The irate gas rep and fitter are the least of your worries compared to the VERY irate guy whos house you have just broken into !

Now isn't that a terrible understatement. :lol:

by **p team** » 19 Oct 2006 8:58

Pinky 20 to 40 cups of coffee a day or warrants.

by **acl** » 19 Oct 2006 11:29

Under pressure is something you will be,. Is there a nasty customer with a bat on the other side of the door, the gas fitter wants to go home but worst of all the p*sstaking rep! Ive worked with a couple of Siemens reps that take the mickey so badly when youre having difficulty,that at least two locksmiths have downed tools and gone home!!(one practically in tears!) Im a little more thick skinned but by god sometimes ive wanted to stick one on them!

by **pinpusher** » 19 Oct 2006 11:48

On one job for the police the young officer said to me that they get in faster on the TV. My reply was that on TV they catch all the robbers. He did not say anymore.

warrant work

warrant work

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