How to Check Out a Locksmith Before You Let One Into Your House or Car

Hiring a locksmith is different from hiring most trades. Someone will be working on the thing that keeps your house or your car secure, and when they leave, they'll know how the lock works. You usually call in a hurry, often while stressed. That's exactly when a few quick checks pay off, and most of them take a couple of minutes on your phone.

Ask for a real business address

Start with a simple question: where is your shop? A local locksmith has a street address and will give it to you without fuss. Look it up on a map. You're hoping to find a storefront or shop at that address, not an empty lot or a place that has nothing to do with locksmithing.

This matters because some listings that look local are really call centers that pass your job to whoever is available. A locksmith with a physical shop is easier to find again if something goes wrong. For example, All Points Locksmith is at 3902 W Clearwater Ave, Suite 101 in Kennewick, and you can verify that on any map before you book.

Ask for a licence number you can look up

Washington's Department of Labor and Industries keeps a public contractor lookup online. You can search by business name or licence number and see whether a licence is listed as active and when it expires. If a locksmith gives you a number, take a minute to try it. One that's easy to find and matches the business name is a good sign.

Whatever your view on who should need a licence, a company that offers its number freely is being straightforward, and one that dodges the question is telling you something. All Points Locksmith's contractor licence number is ALLPOPL836RK, so you can try the lookup yourself. At the time of writing it's listed as active with an expiration date in December 2027.

Ask about insurance and bonding

Insurance matters because things can go wrong: a door can be damaged, a car can be scratched, a lock can be broken during the work. If the locksmith is insured, there's a way to make that right. A bond is a separate financial protection that backs up the business's obligations. Ask whether the company is insured and bonded, and ask to see proof.

You don't need to understand the paperwork in detail. You need to hear a clear yes and, if you ask, get a document or a number you can check. All Points Locksmith says it is fully licensed, bonded and insured. Whoever you choose, a clear answer is what you're listening for.

Know what a CRL from ALOA means

ALOA stands for the Associated Locksmiths of America, the industry's own trade association. CRL stands for Certified Registered Locksmith, a credential offered through that association. It isn't a government licence and it doesn't replace one. What it does show is that someone has gone through the trade's own certification process instead of just picking up tools.

All Points Locksmith lists itself as Certified CRL by ALOA, with over 25 years' experience among its locksmiths. Credentials and experience aren't guarantees, but they're reasonable things to ask about, and a locksmith who's proud of them will be happy to talk about them.

Get the price before work starts

Ask for the total, not just the first number. A service call, travel, cutting each key and programming a chip can all be separate line items. Ask the locksmith to spell out what's included and what isn't, and to confirm the total by text or in writing before anyone starts working. A low figure on the phone that grows once someone is at your door is a warning sign.

It's also fair to ask what happens if the job can't be done on site, and whether there's a charge for that. A good locksmith has a clear answer and won't mind you asking.

When they arrive

A legitimate locksmith will ask you to prove you own the home or the car, because they shouldn't open or rekey something for a stranger. Expect to show ID and something that connects you to the property or vehicle. If someone offers to start work with no questions at all, that's a reason to pause, not a convenience.

If you're in Kennewick, Pasco or Richland, you can reach All Points Locksmith at (509) 585-2407. Emergency Mobile Service runs from 7am to 10pm, Monday through Saturday, and the shop is open weekdays from 8:30am to 5:30pm and Saturday from 9am to 3pm. Run through the checks above with whoever you call, and you'll know a lot more about them before they touch your lock.