Diary of a Emergency Locksmith – with AA Lock & Key Ltd

With so many people now interested in becoming a locksmith, we thought it would be interesting to ask an MLA approved locksmith what their actual day consists of as a 24 Hour Emergency Locksmith.

This diary is written by owner Craig Andres from AA Lock and Key Ltd who are MLA approved Locksmiths in Bristol and have been an MLA approved company now for over 5 years.

Company: AA Lock and Key Ltd
Owner: Craig Andres
Website: https://aalocksmithsbristol.co.uk
Main Locksmith Service: Emergency Call outs
Years as a Locksmith: Over 10

7:00AM START OF THE DAY

At 7.00am I am ready for AA Lock and Key’s first job after eating my power breakfast consisting of three Golden syrup Weetabix with a banana on top.

Left keys in the house & opened a Yale lock non destructively

7.15AM FIRST JOB Aintree Drive, Downend, Bristol

My customer was locked out of the house when he was rushing to go to work to prepare for an important meeting and left his keys inside the house. We attended within 15 minutes of the customer enquiring and opened a Yale lock non-destructively.

This resulted with a very happy customer indeed and he took some Business cards to pass out in the future.

I returned back to base to make an important stock order to stock my van and take advantage of some of the great offers available from the likes of the large locksmith wholesalers.

The Christmas promotions laid on this year are great and after spending hundreds of GBP it’s time to have a nice cup of coffee.

UPVC Lock Repair and Replacement

8.00AM 2ND JOB  Dyrham view, Pucklechurch, Bristol

Customer reporting Upvc front door very hard to lock. – On-site within 30 minutes, after adjusting the hinges and the lock strike’s I supplied and fitted a new euro lock

I take great pride in my customer satisfaction and was mentioned by my very happy second customer of the day, I quote “it’s been a long time since the door was locked that smoothly”.

A massive part of our service is upvc lock repair and replacement. This occurs due to word of mouth advertising and I would like to think we have a massive amount of customers who will recommend us.

Our initiatives are to be one of the top choices in Bristol for all upvc lock related requirements including high-security anti snap lock’s.

Fitted an Anti-Snap Lock

9:20 AM 3RD JOB  Alton Road, Horfield, Bristol

On my way back to base AA Lock and Key get a call requesting us to attend Alton Road, Horfield, Bristol.

The customer had an urgent tone in their voice and is why I am happy to be fully qualified. Additionally to be supported and recommended by the Master Locksmith Association.

The customer reported that they had been burgled whilst they were on holiday and they are looking to upgrade their security through reading the MLA approved website. – Craig Andres

9.20am on site this is our third job of the day (On arrival euro lock found to have been snapped to gain entry, new high-security Mul-t-lock anti snap lock fitted and two extra Garrison Keys cut on site).

Returned back to base and started to tidy up and restock the van with the new goodies.

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Worn Out Lock & Fitted New Lock

11AM 4TH JOB  Chelsea Park, Easton, Bristol

Customer reporting loose top lock. We explained that we can help and change the lock if required (Yale Rim lock found to be worn and because of constant key jiggling lock keeps working loose) New Yale Rim cylinder fitted to rectify.

Being self-employed involves Stopping off at McDonald’s, Avon Meads, Retail Park, Bristol, for a cheeky big mac meal and Strawberry Milkshake. (Went down a treat and brother very jealous).

Returned back to base to take care of paperwork.

UPVC Door Lock Out

14.00PM 5TH JOB OF THE DAY  Thicket Avenue, Fishponds, Bristol

Customer locked out of upvc door, keys reported to be left inside and the door pulled shut. (I attended within 15 minutes to open the upvc door non-destructively and the customer was relieved to be able to get back in so quickly).  We have another happy customer in Bristol.

Return back to base to have a play with newly purchased expensive lock pick set which looks so nice.

I have been waiting for ages to purchase a fine set of picks but needed to justify buying another set of lock picks (locksmiths you know what I am talking about).

Lock opening, fitting of British Standard 5 lever lock & 2 Spare Keys Cut

5.00PM 6TH AND FINAL JOB  Muller Road, Bishopston, Bristol

Customer reporting bottom lock will not open on the wooden door with the key just spinning around and around.

The customer asked if AA Lock and Key cover Bishopston to which I replied we cover all Bristol BS post coded areas (Onsite lock opened non-destructively, new British Standard 5 lever lock fitted and two spare keys cut on site.)

Customer very happy with response time, workmanship and stated that she “feels more secure with the new high-security mortice deadlock fitted to the front door.” (This is what we are in business for and is my number one personal value to assist in building up AA Lock and Key).

This is a great typical day of emergency locksmith work undertaken by AA Lock and Key, I wish every day was this busy, now its time for a hard earned snooze.

I picked this day to contribute to The Diary of an emergency locksmith as it was the best fitting day for this contribution and could not have come at a better time.

For more information on becoming an MLA approved locksmith please see our Joining the MLA page.