It was great pleasure to interview Daniel Pulley of Crosskeys Carpentry & Locksmiths, in South Wales, who offers an interesting combi of trades.
My journey into carpentry, followed by locksmithing
I started out in carpentry right after leaving school, becoming a “chippy” at around 18 or 19 years old. My cousin owned a joinery shop where I did my City & Guilds apprenticeship in Carpentry and Joinery. Then I started working onsite doing first and second fix carpentry.
I decided to become self-employed and, initially, I worked doing shuttering carpentry for high-rise apartments and car parks. In 2019, I founded Crosskeys with the goal of becoming fully self-employed and owning a business I could truly call my own. I didn’t want to be a subcontractor anymore and just make money for others, I wanted to work for myself and see where it would take me, and I’ve never looked back.
I did my initial locksmith training in South Wales and then decided I wanted to get a qualification that was more recognised, so then studied with the Master Locksmiths Association to become a Qualified Master Locksmith (QML).
Why carpentry and locksmithing?
Having carpentry skills is very beneficial for locksmiths because often you will need to fit a new lock that’s a different size or shape than the existing one or repair a badly damaged timber door or frame.
I also find that carpentry and locksmithing go well together, people who need a carpenter will eventually need a locksmith and vice versa, this is true for both domestic and commercial clients. It makes sense to use of all the skills I have under my belt. People often notice the services I advertise on my van and stop to ask questions. Sometimes, they’ll even find me another job to do on the spot – or they’ll remember me later when they need something done.
Expansion into automotive
In April 2024, I expanded into the automotive side of locksmithing due to receiving a lot more calls for auto entry services and not having the necessary equipment. So, I did some training and bought car key cutting equipment.
I’m proud to offer automotive locksmithing solutions for example picking and decoding locks and cutting keys to code. I also supply and install Locks4Vans in aftermarket van security.
Quick success & frustrations
What I love about this job is the quick in-and-out nature and the gratitude of customers in emergencies. Dealing with significant door damage, correcting poor workmanship, and last-minute customer cancellations can be quite challenging. It’s worrying when national firms mislead customers by claiming to link them with local locksmiths, but the companies aren’t even local or vetted. This tactic can lead to subpar work and overcharging, which negatively affects the reputation of locksmiths.
Don’t get caught out: be extra vigilant
One time, I nearly got caught in a tricky situation. I parked my car on a pub car park, near to a house where I was asked to change the locks. There was some confusion over who owned the house, and the landlady of the nearby pub gratefully alerted me that the house I was working on had been vacant for two years and was about to be auctioned. It turned out someone else claimed to own it and the person who asked me to change the locks had bad intentions. Always ask for ID; it’s crucial.
Advice to new locksmiths
My advice to anyone entering this field is to not expect to make a fortune immediately. The market is flooded with competitors and national firms that dominate with advertising. Building a client base and getting good reviews is essential. Also, be prepared to invest upfront in a van and tools.
Completing jobs to a high standard and giving customers value for money is essential. Also, people remember a friendly face and value the advice I give to them. Ensuring that customers have a positive experience is crucial for encouraging repeat business.
My favourite cylinder brands to supply and fit are Chubb Locks, Yale, Ultion, Era, and Union. I’ve found it’s best to stick with reliable makes that consistently perform and never let my customers down.
Marketing advice
I find social media, especially Facebook, to be an excellent and cost-free way to promote my business and advertise my services. These days, social media is often more important than a website, as people tend to visit your Facebook page or Google Business profile instead. I’d certainly advise against spending a lot of money on a website; a simple, basic one is more than enough to do the job.
www.crosskeys-locksmiths.co.uk
07775 791761
More information
Crosskeys Carpentry & Locksmiths cover all aspects of carpentry and offer a 24/7 emergency locksmith callout service. With over 15 years of experience and a full DBS check, customers can rest-assured that they’re in safe hands. Replacing and maintaining all types of locks, they offer security upgrades for homes and businesses, everything fully compliant with British Standard BS3261 regulations.
Crosskeys is also a registered member of the Master Locksmiths Association.