How to become a Locksmith?

Starting a Locksmith Business

Your Future as a Trained Locksmith

If you want to become a locksmith and you’re considering starting a locksmith business, then there are many ways to achieve this. First it’s important to know if the job is right for you and what training you’ll need to get you started.

Becoming a locksmith in the UK means that you’ll be carrying out a variety of hands on jobs that require problem-solving skills and good attention to detail. Locksmith work will include fitting locks, repairing locks and maintaining locks.

You will need to have a strong interest in the locksmith industry as well as a willingness to learn. You will also need to be good at practical work and problem-solving.

What can I expect to be doing as a locksmith?

Typically, a locksmith will serve customers at their address and will usually be on call for emergency work. Emergency locksmith work can include attending lock outs and repairing broken locks. This will include working with a range of domestic and commercial locks. Locksmithing is more varied than just attending lock outs and picking door locks though. A locksmith will be expected to offer a range of other services.

Locksmith services include:

A locksmith will also need training to use specialist locksmithing equipment including:

Letterbox Tools

Pick Guns

Special Keys

What is a typical Locksmith day?

A typical day for a locksmith will vary depending on many factors. An important consideration is whether they work on a self employed basis or on behalf of a company. Established Locksmith companies are likely to have a reputation in the industry. This means that they are likely to have already obtained repeat commercial clients. A locksmith starting their own business may not have the time or resources to obtain commercial clients and might opt for becoming a locksmith subcontractor to find locksmith jobs through a third party. The customer base and the needs of those customers will determine what a typical day involves. Usually, commercial clients will provide repeat work and domestic clients will bring reactionary work.

"Locksmith work is enormously varied, requiring broad ranging capabilities from unlocking the most secure of locks and designing and installing complex control systems to getting locked out customers in promptly without further distress or making good after a break in and make secure again or provide reassurance that all is safe.Attending callouts at 3am may not be to everyone's liking but the variety and satisfaction that goes with the job makes up for a few disturbed nights."

Alan Hickman

LockRite Locksmith Franchisee

What locksmith services should I provide when I start?

The skills that a locksmith has will have an impact on the jobs that they are able to undertake. For example, a locksmith may not be trained to open safes, others might not be trained to repair digital locks.

If you decide to cover an area that has a high crime rate, it’s possible that you are more likely to be helping customers that need door or lock repairs. If you decide to work in a more affluent area you may find yourself upgrading locks.

It’s worth considering the type of clients (domestic or commercial) that you want and what services they’ll need.

Locksmiths may choose to install a key cutting machine in their van, providing the opportunity to offer a key cutting service to their customers.

Domestic locksmith work may include:

Repeat commercial locksmith work may include:

Training to become a locksmith, is there a recognized qualification for locksmithing?

There is no recognised qualification to be a locksmith in the UK or to start a locksmith business.

Although there is no official qualification for locksmiths you can train to become a locksmith, there are locksmith training courses. Training courses are important to learn the appropriate skills of this traditional trade.

A typical locksmith course is likely to cover:

What training is required if I want to be a locksmith?

If you want to become a locksmith it’s important to have the appropriate training. Locksmith courses should provide you with practical skills and teach you the theory of locksmithing. Locksmith courses tend to be set up in a classroom learning environment. The locksmith training provided should include a lot of hands on training to prepare you for what is to come.

A typical locksmith course is likely to cover:

It’s possible to train to become a locksmith in the UK by applying for a locksmith apprenticeship, although, these can be difficult to find. If this is something you’re interested in, you can search a list of apprenticeship opportunites through the UK government’s apprenticeship search.

View a breakdown of the locksmith training we provide for our LockRite Locksmith Franchisees

Are there any special requirements needed to become a locksmith?

There are no special requirements to being a locksmith, apart from great training of course as a starting way to become a locksmith.

Experience with tools such as drills, planers and chisels can be beneficial. So will experience in a similar industry such as carpentry. Although, this is not needed to become a good locksmith.

It’s important to undergo a DBS check (criminal background check) to give your clients and customers peace of mind.

Becoming a locksmith also means that you will need good communication skills. You should be able to provide advice to customers about their home security. You will need to know which locks are best suited to your customers home and how to keep their property secure.

If I choose to be a locksmith, what can I expect to be earning? What is the average salary of a locksmith?

If you don’t start out with a proven business model such as the LockRite Franchise, then starting up as an independent beginner in the Locksmith industry is notoriously difficult and the expected salary is only around £16,000, even in the unlikely event that you manage to get everything right!

Although LockRite charges an up-front franchise fee to train, equip and launch you as a new business partner, you have the security and peace of mind of joining an established and
successful nationwide team, with the potential to earn far more – up to £70,000 per year in fact. Growing your LockRite Franchise to earn more is also possible after you are established.

"Training was superb, communication and support team superb, the amount of work I have received and earnings already - Awesome"

James Horsfield

LockRite Franchisee

What are the benefits of starting a locksmith business with a franchise?

A Franchise is a great way to start a locksmith business. LockRite is the largest branded locksmith company in the UK and we are continuing to expand in the commercial & domestic locksmith market.

Our Locksmith Franchise gives you a head start in the locksmith industry. The franchise includes comprehensive training, on-going locksmith and marketing support, contract work and more. The franchise package is built to help you become a successful locksmith.

Locksmith Training

We provide the practical and theory training you need to become a locksmith and get you confident in identifying locks, cutting keys, picking locks and more. Take a look at our locksmith training breakdown to see what skills you’ll be learning.

Once you have learnt the practical locksmith skills you need, we will take you through our marketing and administration training. Our marketing and admin training will provide you with professional techniques to apply to your new locksmith business.

Work

Your work will come from several sources including online advertising and your own marketing. As a LockRite franchisee you will benefit from our established relationships with nationwide commercial clients and industry partners.

Locksmith Tools and Stock

We provide you with all the tools and stock you need to get you started in the industry. So there’s no need to worry about buying the right stock.

Advertising

If you are thinking of becoming a locksmith by starting a locksmith business of your own, you’ll need to think about your business name, your branding, your websites and your advertising.

The LockRite franchise gives you the benefit of trading under an established brand. Your websites will be built and managed by our in house web team and your online advertising will be set up and managed by staff that have passed official Google exams.

On-going Support

As a locksmith franchisee, you will receive on-going support in both the practical and marketing side of your business.

Our experienced locksmith trainer is on hand to provide technical support when you need it.

"An excellent return on my investment"

Neil Yard

LockRite Franchisee

THE LOCKSMITH FRANCHISE IN DETAIL

Our Locksmith Franchise Training Course

Read more about our industry-leading Locksmith training course. Comprehensive 5-week course: One trainee at a time!

The Lockrite Franchise Opportunity

We feel that you will agree with our existing Franchisees that this is the best available Locksmith Franchise opportunity in the UK today

Lockrite Locksmith Tools & Stock Package

Here you can read more on the tool and stock package you get if you are accepted as a Lockrite Franchisee

Already an experienced locksmith?

If you’re already an experienced locksmith and you’re looking for locksmith jobs, you can apply to be a subcontractor and get locksmith work today!

How to become a Locksmith?

Starting a Locksmith Business

Your Future as a Trained Locksmith

What can I expect to be doing as a locksmith?

Locksmith services include:

A locksmith will also need training to use specialist locksmithing equipment including:

Letterbox Tools

Pick Guns

Special Keys

What is a typical Locksmith day?

What locksmith services should I provide when I start?

Domestic locksmith work may include:

Repeat commercial locksmith work may include:

Training to become a locksmith, is there a recognized qualification for locksmithing?

A typical locksmith course is likely to cover:

What training is required if I want to be a locksmith?

A typical locksmith course is likely to cover:

View a breakdown of the locksmith training we provide for our LockRite Locksmith Franchisees

Are there any special requirements needed to become a locksmith?

If I choose to be a locksmith, what can I expect to be earning? What is the average salary of a locksmith?

What are the benefits of starting a locksmith business with a franchise?

Locksmith Training

Work

Locksmith Tools and Stock

Advertising

On-going Support

Further Reading

THE LOCKSMITH FRANCHISE IN DETAIL

Our Locksmith Franchise Training Course

The Lockrite Franchise Opportunity

Lockrite Locksmith Tools & Stock Package

Already an experienced locksmith?