We caught up with Andrew Speight, The Handy Locksmith, who took up locksmithing after a long career in bricklaying, he now looks forward to developing his business further.
I’ve been interested in locksmithing for a long time, ever since school. Before getting into the trade, I worked as a masonry bricklayer, but when my apprenticeship ended during the recession, I found myself moving around— I worked in Germany, Ireland, London, and even Australia. Eventually, I developed arthritis, which forced me to rethink my career.
I went on to complete a degree in construction management and took on site management roles, but I hated being stuck in an office. I missed the freedom of being out and about. Locksmithing had always been in the back of my mind, so I finally decided to give it a go. I started with the MPL introductory course, then trained with Nick Foster (Dr Lock), which gave me the confidence to go out on my own. Since then, I’ve done the 8-Ball course and had one to one training with Brian James.
Now, three and a half years into the trade, I love being my own boss. Every day is different, and I enjoy the problem-solving aspect—figuring out failed locks and gaining access with minimal damage.
My Business & Marketing
I’m based in Scotter, North Lincolnshire, and typically travel up to an hour for jobs. My marketing approach is straightforward but can be costly at times. I maintain a presence on Instagram, post photos occasionally, and have a Google-friendly website. A customer I met ended up building my website and handling my SEO, he has been great for other locksmiths too (www.getasite.co.uk). I also use Facebook, though I don’t do videos. My fiancée Sarah helps with social media, and I have a PPC agency that manages my Google Ad spend.
Business can be unpredictable—some weeks are mad busy, while others are quieter. I take work as it comes and keep myself flexible. I’m part of the UK Locksmith Network on WhatsApp, set up by Nick Foster, where locksmiths can ask questions about obsolete products and recommend replacements. I also pass on work to fellow locksmiths, like Sam at Prime Locksmiths, when a job is too far for me to reach.
Memorable Jobs
One of my most interesting days involved finding myself as the ‘piggy in the middle’ of a domestic situation, which ultimately led to me giving a police statement. On another job, a woman called me in the morning, saying she had lost her keys and needed the locks changed. I verified her identity—she had her driving license, and the address matched the very nice house we were standing outside —everything seemed legit. I got changed the lock, got her in, got paid, and left.
That afternoon, I got a call from a man at the same address, saying he couldn’t get his key in the door. I told him I had been there earlier and had dealt with a lady who provided ID. He said he was calling the police. Fifteen minutes later, he phoned back, apologised, and asked me to return and change the locks again—it turned out it was his ex-wife, just trying to collect her things. He even asked for a discount because it was my second job on same property! At first, I wasn’t sure where I stood legally, but in the end, it all worked out and he laughed at the situation.
Upsides & Downsides of Locksmithing
I enjoy the variety—every day brings something new. I like meeting different people and helping them out. Customers often think locksmithing is expensive, but it’s usually not as bad as they fear. The only downside is the occasional quiet day, but there’s always something to do, like organising my van.
Let’s Talk Locks
For standard lock I use Prolox and Versa and for high-security options I recommend APECS. If a property has been burgled, I install a temporary cylinder and order the customer’s preferred lock. APECS and Ultion have done excellent marketing, so customers often come in knowing exactly what they want. I always explain the benefits of different locks to help them make the right choice.
Plans & Future Goals
I got married in June in a church in Scotter where we live, and we headed to Greece for our honeymoon—starting in Santorini and then island-hopping around Athens, Mykonos, and a few other places over three weeks.
I’ve dabbled in auto locksmithing, having done a short course, but the investment in tools is expensive. I’ve been slowly acquiring equipment and plan to take another course to get fully set up. I specialise in non-destructive car entry, using Lishi picks to open car doors when keys are locked inside. I am excited to continue my locksmith journey and help serve the customers in my area.
www.thehandylocksmith.co.uk
More information
The Handy Locksmith offers is expert residential locksmith covering window locks and handles, door locks, failed gear boxes, mechanisms, locksmith emergency call outs for lost keys, home lock outs, lock changes and repairs, uPVC doors and windows repairs.
Also offering a commercial locksmith service to schools, golf clubs, training centres, distribution centres, changing locks and fixing issues on key safes, code locks, cabinets locked, locked storage units.