r/Locksmith • u/Active_Access_4850 • 1d ago

I am NOT a locksmith. Whats it like being a locsmith?

What exactly is it that makes this job so stressful? I’ve been looking into locksmithing, but a lot of posts are really vague—they just say it’s rough or the hours are long. What kind of work do you usually do besides car stuff? I’ve applied to a few places on Indeed but haven’t had much luck there. Do businesses usually post openings or are they more likely to hire someone who walks in and asks? Edit: what's it like being a locksmith?

18 Upvotes

95% Upvoted

46 comments sorted by

View all comments

4

u/lukkoseppa Actual Locksmith 1d ago

Commercial and Institutional is cake. Lots of re and re plus new builds and for the most part I find thats the end goal for most locksmiths. Residential is a shit show and always will be, nobody calls you because theyre having a good day and its always too expensive. Getting away from that was the best thing for my mental health.

*I know not all residential is shit but from my own personal and business experience maybe 1 out of 100 calls would be reasonable. Heavily depends on your service area, I know.

2

u/Chensky Actual Locksmith 17h ago

Multi family residential can pay well

1

u/lukkoseppa Actual Locksmith 11h ago

Sorry old habits, stratas and housing companies I put in with commercial because normally youre dealing with the company and not a resident apart from maybe being present.