Get Quotes from Top Locksmiths in Bakersfield, CA

What Do I Need to Know Before Hiring a Locksmith in Bakersfield?

Only state-licensed locksmiths are authorized to operate in Bakersfield. Always confirm this before hiring. You should hire the right type of locksmith for the job. For instance, if you are locked out of a vehicle, get an auto locksmith (these professionals specialize in vehicle-related lockouts) instead of conventional locksmiths who primarily deal with residential, commercial, or industrial properties.

Other things to consider when hiring locksmiths in Bakersfield include:

• The urgency of the situation
• Your location
• The locksmith's availability and rates

Are You Licensed as a Locksmith in Bakersfield?

Anyone wishing to perform locksmithing work, including but not limited to installing, opening, repairing, modifying, rekeying, or originating keys for locks, in Bakersfield must be licensed by the California Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS). These individuals must also register their employees and branch offices with this bureau. Be aware that BSIS-licensed locksmiths undertaking jobs valued at $500 or more at a single worksite need an additional contractor license from the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB).

Contact the BSIS at (916) 322-4000 for more information on Bakersfield locksmiths' licensing requirements. You can also check your prospective locksmiths' license status online using the state's DCA License Search platform.

What Rates Do You Charge for Your Locksmith Services in Bakersfield?

While locksmiths in Bakersfield usually charge clients hourly rates ranging from $30 - $65, some choose a fixed rate per visit, ranging from $50 - $350 or more. However, the total cost of locksmith services in the city is usually determined by the specific nature of the services being requested and other factors like:

• The urgency of the situation
• Your location
• The time of day
• Trip fees
• The complexity of the job

It is advisable to contact about two or three locksmiths and compare their cost rates before selecting one for your job. This gives you an insight into the expected cost of your required services. It is also an effective way to identify unscrupulous locksmiths with unethical practices like overcharging clients or enticing them with significantly lowered rates only to exploit them later.

What Kind of Locksmith Services Do You Offer?

Bakersfield locksmiths offer clients several kinds of pop-a-lock, rekeying, and lockout services, like:

The prices listed above are estimates, and you should always discuss and agree on your preferred locksmith's rates when negotiating. Also, confirm the locksmith is equipped to offer your required services before committing to them.

Do You Provide Auto Locksmith Services in Bakersfield?

Auto locksmiths specialize in lockout situations involving cars, motorcycles, trucks, and various other types of vehicles. Some common services Bakersfield auto locksmiths offer include:

• Unlocking car doors
• Extracting broken keys from vehicles
• Repairing or replacing damaged automobile locks
• Key copying and replacement
• Key fob programming
• Door actuator replacement
• Trunk reopening
• Ignition system repair

Confirm that the auto locksmith you choose is familiar with your vehicle's make and model and well-equipped and experienced in ensuring your issues are effectively addressed. This is important if you want to copy motorcycle keys, as these keys use a distinct coding system compared to other vehicle keys and require specialized knowledge and equipment.

Listed below are cost estimates for common car and motorcycle locksmith services in Bakersfield:

Do You Provide Emergency or 24-hour Locksmith Services?

Even though lockouts require immediate attention, some scenarios are more urgent than others. Examples of these scenarios include:

• You find yourself locked out of your residence
• Your place has been robbed
• You suspect a break-in
• Your key has broken inside the lock
• Your home or office access control system is misbehaving

Local mobile locksmiths are a good option for dealing with emergency lockouts; these professionals operate mobile workshops, which give them certain advantages over regular locksmiths, like:

• Faster response times
• 24/7 availability
• Easier accessibility to remote locations
• Reduced towing costs for automotive emergencies

It should be pointed out that many Bakersfield locksmiths charge additional fees on top of their standard rates when providing emergency services.

Registering with self-service locksmith companies like KeyMe and MinuteKey is another viable option for swift resolutions to emergency lockout situations. These companies allow customers to create digital copies of their keys, which can be physically downloaded via self-service kiosks when necessary. However, the possibility of data breaches and the unavailability of a functional self-service kiosk near you are some downsides associated with these services.

We recommend getting and saving the contact information of one or two reputable locksmiths in your area who can help you out in emergency lockout situations. You can also reduce the occurrence of these situations by taking the following precautions:

• Get spare keys
• Use lockboxes
• Install keyless locks

Do You Conduct Background Checks on Your Employees?

The Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS) carries out comprehensive criminal background checks on Bakersfield locksmiths before licensing them. In addition to ensuring your chosen locksmith is appropriately licensed, confirm they vet their staff, especially those directly involved in delivering services to clients.

Professional locksmith businesses in Bakersfield often conduct the following background checks on their employees:

• Criminal background checks
• Civil record checks
• Previous employment verifications
• Driving record checks
• Random drug screenings

Engaging licensed locksmiths who also vet their employees assures you only reputable and dependable individuals will be granted access to your personal space and private information, reducing the risk of theft, blackmail, and similar incidents. You can also go a step further by asking for the names and descriptions of the specific locksmiths dispatched for your job and verifying their identities (you can use their company IDs for this) before permitting them onto your property.

Do You Offer Any Warranties on Your Locksmith Services?

Engaging a locksmith who offers warranties for their services assures you that the locksmithing job will be done competently and with high-quality products. Professional Bakersfield locksmiths commonly provide a manufacturer's warranty that covers the locks (or any other products) used for the job and a workmanship warranty that covers their actual work. While the coverage scope and validity period of these warranties is determined by the locksmith in question and the products used, many standard locksmith warranties do not cover damages caused by:

• Incorrect lock installation
• Unauthorized repair attempts
• Misuse, negligence, vandalism, and natural disasters

It is beneficial to ask for written copies of your warranties; this way, you can review their unique terms and conditions.