Tips For Rekeying A House Lock During A Divorce Situation
One of the more delicate situations in which you might find yourself when you work as a locksmith is rekeying a residential lock during a divorce. After one spouse has left the house, the other may call you and ask you to hurriedly pay him or her a visit to get this job done. This task isn't a particularly happy one for anyone, including you — but you need to be a professional about it and get the job done properly and quickly. Because some divorce situations can be volatile, you also need to think about your personal and financial safety during this house call. Here are some tips that you can employ.
Park Elsewhere
If the divorce that your client is going through is contentious, he or she may be getting the lock changed without his or her spouse's knowledge. This may especially be the case if the house is solely in the name of the spouse who has called to hire you. In such a situation, discretion is the name of the game — you don't want to widely advertise that you're doing this work. Parking your locksmith vehicle elsewhere in the neighborhood can be a smart move. If your truck were in the driveway, a neighbor might call the soon-to-be-divorced person to say that a locksmith is changing the lock, and he or she could arrive on the scene and escalate the situation.
Be On The Lookout For Someone Arriving
It's possible that the other partner may arrive at the house without knowing that you're there. He or she may plan to return to the residence to confront the other partner, which could lead to a significant blowup. While you work, you should always be cognizant of your environment. You don't want an angry partner taking his or her frustrations out on you. Keep your eyes open and, if someone appears to be approaching the property in an aggressive manner, be prepared to leave quickly.
Get Paid Right Away
Submitting the customer with a bill can potentially be a bad move. In divorce proceedings, money is often tied up with legal expenses — and this could mean that your customer fails to pay the bill. It's a better approach to ensure, when the customer books your services, that he or she can pay you on the spot. Many locksmiths carry credit card machines or swipe accessories on their smartphones to allow them to accept payments as soon as the job is complete. Getting immediate payment protects your financial security by keeping you from losing money on the job from a non-paying customer.
Contact a company like A Carolina Lock Smith for more information and assistance.