Locksmith Cost

HomeAdvisor puts the average locksmith job at $163, with most between $107 and $242.

Common jobs

Fees

• Service call / trip fee: $100 to $250
• After-hours, weekend or holiday surcharge: $150 to $250
• Car lockouts can cost about double after hours.

Angi lists locksmith hourly rates at $50 to $120, with a $40 to $75 minimum service fee and $50 to $150 added for emergency visits.

Saving on a locksmith

Calling during business hours avoids the emergency surcharge. Bundling jobs (a lockout plus a rekey, or several locks at once) spreads one trip fee over more work; Angi's per-lock price drops from $80–$350 for one lock to $60–$200 each for 10 or more.

Bob Vila's figures

Bob Vila puts the national average locksmith job at $156, with most between $97 and $215.

Rates by time of day

Standard rates run $50 to $100 per hour, peak hours (7 to 10 a.m.) $75 to $125, and after-hours rates can reach $150 to $250 an hour. Trip fees run $50 to $100, up to $150 at peak times (Bob Vila).

HomeServe's figures

Safe services

Common locksmith services

• Lockouts: getting into a home, car or business when the keys are lost or locked inside.
• Rekeying: changing a lock so old keys no longer work.
• Lock installation and repair: new deadbolts, handles and smart locks, or fixing sticky locks.
• Key cutting: duplicate keys, including some car keys and key fobs.
• Safe service: opening, repairing or changing combinations.
• Commercial work: master key systems, panic bars and access control.

How locksmiths price jobs

Most locksmiths charge a service call or trip fee plus labor and parts. Nights, weekends and holidays usually cost more. Car keys with chips or remote fobs often need programming equipment, which adds cost.

Avoiding lockout scams

Some companies advertise a very low phone price and then charge much more once they arrive. To protect yourself:

• Ask for the total estimated price, including trip fees, before the locksmith comes.
• Ask for the legal company name and license number.
• Check that the vehicle or uniform matches the company name.
• Be cautious if the locksmith wants to drill the lock right away. Many lockouts can be opened without damage.
• Get an itemized written invoice.

What affects the price

• Time of day and day of week.
• Type and security grade of the lock.
• Distance traveled.
• Car key type and programming.
• Parts and new hardware.

Questions to ask

1. What is the total price, including the trip fee?
2. Are you licensed in Texas?
3. Can you open the lock without drilling?

In Texas

Texas requires locksmith companies and their employees to be licensed through the Department of Public Safety Private Security Program. You can look up a license on the DPS website before hiring.

What to expect when a locksmith arrives

A professional locksmith should arrive in a marked vehicle or with company identification, and should ask for proof that you live at the home or own the car before opening anything. Being asked for ID is a good sign, not an inconvenience. For a lockout, most locksmiths first try non-destructive entry, such as picking the lock or using a bypass tool, which leaves the lock working. Drilling should be a last resort, and a good locksmith will explain why it is needed and what replacing the lock will cost before starting.

Confirm the full price before work begins, including the service call fee and any after-hours charge. If the quote on site is much higher than the one given on the phone, you can decline and call someone else.

Home, car and business work

Residential locksmiths handle lockouts, rekeying, lock installation and repairs. Automotive locksmiths cut and program car keys and key fobs, which requires equipment for each vehicle brand; prices for modern smart keys are usually higher than for older metal keys. Commercial locksmiths install high-security locks, master key systems and access control for businesses. Many locksmiths do all three, but for a newer car key or a complex office system, ask whether they have the right equipment before booking.

Building a relationship with a local locksmith

Finding a locksmith during an emergency is when people are most likely to call a misleading listing or pay too much. It helps to find a reliable local locksmith before you need one. Look for a business with a verifiable street address, a local phone number and reviews over several years. Save the number in your phone. Having it ready turns a stressful lockout into a short phone call.

Preventing lockouts

• Keep a spare key with a trusted neighbor or family member rather than under a mat or rock near the door.
• Consider a keypad deadbolt or smart lock if lockouts happen often in your household.
• Replace worn keys before they break off in the lock; a key with rounded edges or a bend is a warning sign.
• Lubricate locks once in a while with a lock lubricant, which keeps keys turning smoothly and reduces wear.

Safes and high-security locks

Opening a locked safe is specialized work, and price depends on the safe's rating and lock type.

Sources

1. HomeAdvisor: How Much Does a Locksmith Cost? (updated Jun 19, 2026)
2. Angi: How Much Does Lock Replacement Cost? (updated Oct 13, 2026)
3. Bob Vila: How Much Does a Locksmith Cost?
4. HomeServe: Locked Out? How Much Does a Locksmith Cost? (Jun 3, 2025)