Questions to Ask Before Hiring: Locks & Doors

Updated November 6, 2026

What Should You Ask a Locksmith or Door Company Before Hiring?

Before hiring a locksmith or door company, confirm they take commercial work, get a certificate of insurance and any required state license number, and ask for a written quote showing the full scope, rates, response times and warranty. Facilities usually schedule locksmiths and commercial door companies as needed, plus a yearly check of doors and hardware. Compare at least two quotes for the same scope.

Updated November 6, 2026 · Source: maintenance.broker guide (common practice); confirm with your local authority and contractor.

Illustration for the guide: Questions to Ask Before Hiring: Locks & Doors

Locksmiths, master key systems, access control, and overhead, garage and automatic door service. Use these questions on every call so the answers are comparable.

The Questions

  1. Do you take commercial work, and do you service buildings like ours?
  2. Can you send a certificate of insurance naming us as additional insured?
  3. Are you licensed where the state requires it, and do you show ID on arrival?
  4. What is the total price, including the call-out fee, before you start?
  5. Can you set up or extend a master key system, and who keeps the records?
  6. Do you service panic hardware and door closers on fire exits?
  7. Do you service our overhead or automatic door brand?
  8. Is there a written warranty on the repair?
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Tips From Common Practice

How Often to Schedule

Facilities usually schedule locksmiths and commercial door companies as needed, plus a yearly check of doors and hardware. Your lease, insurer, local code and equipment manuals can require more, so check them first and add the dates to your preventive maintenance schedule.

Then line up offers in the quote comparison tool, and see how to verify a license and insurance.

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Listings: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) · Data last updated November 6, 2026 · Sources & method