The lock on your front door is the first line of defence keeping unwanted people out of your home. If it gets damaged in any way, or you want a new, more secure lock, who do you call? Your local handyman or a qualified locksmith? If there is an emergency, or you want to upgrade or install an alarm system, would you rely on a handyman to install these things, or a locksmith to do so?

In this article we’ll be looking at the differences between a handyman and a licensed locksmiths and why we believe choosing one of our qualified locksmiths is the better choice when it comes to your home, and your family’s safety.

What is the Difference Between a Handyman and a Locksmith?

As the name implies, a handyman can be very handy around the house. They can fix your front steps, be able to install a television, or even install a lock to your front door right out of the packet, bought from a hardware store. They are a jack-of-all-trades and a master-of-none.

They are the people you call when you have odd jobs to be done and you’re unable to do it yourself. They genuinely have manual labour skills and can do some fine work around your house, but generally they are not qualified to be a locksmith, which implies they may not do as good a job changing your locks. Plus, without qualifications, you may be voiding a warranty.

A locksmith is a qualified specialist. They can come to your home, office or jobsite, assess the situation and what your problem is, and give you the best solution, based on their skills and experience. It may be that just changing your locks may not solve the entire problem with your front door.

A lock that comes right out of a box is generic, and may not be fit for purpose. There may be parts missing, or they may require specialist tools to install. A locksmith would know and recognise this, and have all the equipment ready to complete the job first go.

Being a locksmith also requires qualifications, in most states. Strangely enough, in Victoria you do not need to be licensed to call yourself a locksmith. What does this mean? When you call a locksmith, ask for their qualifications. It gives you reassurance and peace of mind that the professional you’re hiring, especially from RAM Locksmiths, has done the study, and can be trusted with your security.

The requirements, nationally, for you to become a qualified locksmith involve the following:

• Certificate III in Locksmithing (MEM30819)– This course covers domestic, commercial and automotive locksmithing.
• Apprenticeship – Combined with the Cert III, you will need to complete a three-year apprenticeship before you may become fully qualified.
• Background Check– you will need a police background check. As you will be gaining the  skills to open locked homes and vehicles, people will need to know you are an upstanding citizen. 
• Licencing– Most Australian states and territories require you to hold a security licence, for the above reasons.
• General Construction Induction Card– if you intend to be working on commercial or construction sites, then you will need a ‘white card’ to be permitted on site.

Obviously the main difference you will notice between handymen and locksmiths would be the price, and this is to be expected. Locksmiths will charge more due to their professional accreditations and specialist knowledge.

Lock Repairs

For complex jobs, high-security lock repairs, or for commercial and industrial lock repairs, a qualified locksmith is the smarter choice. Their range of knowledge regarding different locks and how to repair or replace them is invaluable, and often vaster than a handyman’s.

If you are doing a same-for-same lock replacement, out of the box from a hardware store, then a handyman would be perfectly fine for this. Anything outside of the box, a licenced locksmith would be your best bet.

Locksmiths are the preferred choice for rekeying or making a new key for you, quick entry for when you’ve locked yourself out of your home or car, and for any security upgrade installation for tougher locks on your front door. It is highly unlikely that a handyman is able to make a new key for you.

Our locksmiths can also give you good advice on the types of locks you could install and where there could be other security vulnerabilities around your home.

Security Upgrades

Upgrading your home security to feel safer can be a very involved job. Both types of tradies can be handy for helping you make your home more secure, however a locksmith can do more for your safety and comfort indoors than a handyman.

You can buy some sophisticated security camera setups off the shelf in many outlets around Melbourne and Perth. They are quite easy to install. You can do them yourself or have a handyman install them. Often they connect wirelessly to an app so you can watch your home on your smartphone wherever you are.

That is one side of upgrading your security. The other is improving door and window security with better and stronger locks and overall security assessment. This is where a qualified locksmith comes into their own.

A locksmith is able to tell you what kinds of locks are suitable for your home, and what your front doors can handle. They can also advise on security for your windows. High security locks such as ANSI Grade 1 or 2 deadlocks should really be installed by a locksmith to ensure they are done correctly.

For commercial premises a locksmith can set up keyless locks, Wi-Fi enabled locks that work with a phone app, or digital access and numeric pads.

Surrounding all of this, a locksmith can do a security audit to assess places of weakness and vulnerability. From this they can give you recommendations on how to make your home, or office complex, more secure and the costs involved.

Who should you call?

We recommend qualified locksmiths in every situation. They are more skilled at lock repairs and security concerns, and have much broader knowledge of the best locks for your home, office or car. They can offer guarantees of safety and protection.

Handymen do have their place for simple repairs and like-for-like lock replacements. Sometimes that is all that is required, and you can save some money in doing so. But if you want satisfaction and peace of mind that the job will be done to a higher standard, then we recommend a RAM qualified locksmith.

If you’re looking to make your home or office more secure, or if you’ve had your car broken into recently and need better protection, contact your RAM locksmiths in Perth and Melbourne. We can give you an honest appraisal of your situation and give you the best advice on how to protect yourself and feel safe.

FAQ

Q: What are the risks of using a handyman for lock repairs or upgrades?

When using a handyman for lock repairs, risks can include:

• Incorrect installation leading to security vulnerabilities.
• Damage to doors, frames, or lock mechanisms.
• Voided insurance coverage due to unlicensed work.
• No warranty or guarantee on work performed.

Q: Can a locksmith do more than just change locks?

Absolutely! RAM Locksmiths offers comprehensive security solutions including:

• Commercial and residential locksmith services.
• Wireless access control systems.
• Alarm system installation and monitoring.
• Security camera (CCTV) installation.
• Safe sales and installation.
• Restricted master key systems (BiLock, Galaxy, SALTO).
• Automotive key programming and transponders.
• 24/7 emergency services.
• Builders hardware and specifications.
• Intercom systems.

Q: Do you offer 24/7 emergency locksmith services?

Yes! RAM Locksmiths provides 24-hour emergency locksmith services, 7 days a week in both Melbourne and Perth. Whether you’re locked out of your home, office, or vehicle, our emergency locksmiths can respond quickly to get you back inside.

Q: How quickly can you respond to an emergency call?

Our emergency locksmiths aim to respond as quickly as possible, typically within 30-60 minutes depending on your location and time of day. We prioritise emergency lockouts and security breaches to get you back to normal as soon as possible.

Q: What is a restricted master key system?

A restricted master key system allows you to control access throughout your property with a hierarchical key structure. You can have a master key that opens all locks while providing staff with keys that only open specific areas. RAM Locksmiths offers BiLock, Galaxy, and other restricted systems that prevent unauthorised key duplication and provide maximum security control.

Q: Are you licenced and insured?

Yes, RAM Locksmiths is fully licenced as a registered security operator in every Australian state:

• Victoria: Business Security Registration Number 729-903-70S
• Western Australia: Security Industry License Number 55656
• Queensland: Security License Number 4060413
• New South Wales: Master License Certificate Number 000102912
• ACT: Security Industry Master License Number 17502477

We are also members of the Master Locksmiths Association and approved by major security product manufacturers.