Locksmith Service Costs

There are many services that a locksmith can perform, and they all have different rates and factors involved. Most people think of locksmiths when they lock themselves out of their cars, but this is typical because it happens more frequently. Locksmiths can help with home lockouts, too, and provide so many more services for homes, cars, and businesses.

The type of locksmith service you need is the biggest factor affecting cost. However, you will also need to consider the location of the locksmith, as not all of the ones advertised locally are actually local. Emergency services will also incur a premium charge.

Locksmith services: cost by type of service.

Other considerations and costs

• If you have an emergency lock situation while with your vehicle, you should call your auto insurance provider or roadside assistance first. They will typically be able to provide you with a list of certified, approved locksmiths, even if they cannot cover the cost of the service for you.
• Although you typically shouldn’t pay more than $200 for emergency services, extenuating circumstances can cause bills as much as three times that based on your location, time of day or holiday considerations, and how severe the problem is.
• These estimates don’t include mileage or minimum fees, or any additional charges that may be incurred outside of normal service.
• Locksmiths can take care of just about everything when it comes to locks and keys. If they don’t have a service listed, it doesn’t hurt to ask if they provide it and what the cost would be.

DIY considerations

• There are some things that you can do when you have locked yourself out of your home or car. Before you call a locksmith, consider all of your options. If you are locked out at home and know of an open window, you might be able to get in that way and save the money. If you have a coat hanger handy, you can create your own slim jim to unlock a car.
• Almost all DIY lock solutions include a fair amount of risk of causing damage to your home or vehicle and the entire locking mechanism. If you’re in a pinch, it might not matter. If you can afford it, though, and don’t want to damage your property, you need to call a locksmith.

References

• Craftsman Estimator Costbook, complete series year 2019.
• Latest prices found on Home Depot and other vendor Web sites.
• Literature review of DIY Web sites.