Kyle Bay, New South Wales25 locksmiths near you

There are many ways to become a locksmith or metalworker. On leaving secondary school, i.e. after the third year of secondary school, you can opt for the CAP (vocational training certificate) for locksmiths and metalworkers, which is prepared in two years at a vocational school or in a CFA (apprentice training centre), or the BEP (vocational training certificate) for the production of boiler works and metal structures, which is also prepared in two years. These diplomas enable you to be hired by a company. Those who wish to progress and set up their own business can continue their studies and obtain a BP in locksmithing and metalworking, a BAC pro in boiler making and metal structures or a BAC pro in metal, aluminium, glass and synthetic materials construction. One notch higher, there are training courses at BAC+2 level which allow students to obtain a BTS in metal construction or a BTS CRCI (design and production in industrial boiler making), among others.

Whether self-employed or employed, locksmiths work on all types of metal constructions. In fact, his trade concerns both locksmithing and metalwork, and he is thus able to carry out various installation, repair and renovation work: staircase banisters, locks, doors, windows, verandas, footbridges, bridges, metal frameworks, pylons, etc. He can intervene after the metal carpenter to carry out finishing work. The craftsman takes measurements from plans before drawing his work. In the workshop, he cuts the parts by bending, grinding, adjusting and welding them. He uses manual and mechanical tools as well as electrical equipment and numerically controlled machines. When the work is finished, he goes to the construction site to assemble it. In addition to metalwork, locksmiths often visit private homes to repair and maintain their doors, windows, roller shutters or other items, to unlock or change their locks, etc.

Although the locksmith is best known for his troubleshooting skills in the event of blocked locks, slammed doors or other problems with a building's locks, he also carries out other work. He can be called upon to install a metal railing, roller shutters, a metal framework, etc. In fact, he is responsible for all work relating to metal structures.

One can turn to an online directory such as StarOfService to find a locksmith. Just follow the instructions on the screen and you will find yourself virtually in front of many locksmiths in your region or city. All you have to do is select a few of them to talk to them and choose the locksmith you feel most comfortable with.

Depending on the geographical area, the hourly rate of a locksmith varies between 40 € and 100 €, but there is also the type of intervention to be taken into account with travel costs and possible surcharges (from 30% to 50%) for an intervention during weekends and public holidays or during the night. However, some interventions have standardised costs: - Opening a door: between €70 and €150 depending on the type of locks; - Key copying and replacement: between €5 and €70; - Locksmithing repairs: between €80 and €100; - Installation: between 30 € and 50 € for a doorstop, between 80 € and 90 € for a lock, between 130 € and 150 € for a burglary kit; - Replacement: between €60 and €70 for a lock, between €80 and €100 for a lock cylinder, between €30 and €50 for a threshold bar, between €100 and €120 for a door handle.

One way to choose a locksmith is to ask people around you if they have ever had a locksmith work on a job to your complete satisfaction. You can also rely on the recommendations of lock manufacturers who work with many locksmiths. It is also preferable to use a craftsman who has a shop and one who can give an estimate of the cost of urgent repairs by telephone, among other things.

- What is your experience as a locksmith? - Have you undergone any special training to do your job? - Do you offer guarantees? - Are you available at any time for emergency repairs?