How Much Does a Locksmith Cost? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $107 - $241
The average homeowner spends about $163 to hire a locksmith. You could spend between $107 and $241, depending on the service, callout time, and location.
If you need to rekey your home or get in after locking yourself out, hiring a locksmith costs $163 on average. However, you could pay between $50 and $400, depending on the type of locksmith services you need.
Our helpful guide details what you need to know about budgeting for a locksmith, including the costs of different services and whether you can DIY the project.
- Average
- $163
- Low end
- $50
- high end
- $400
Cost to Hire a Locksmith
Purchasing locks can cost anywhere from $50 to $2,000, depending on the type and technology. If you install them yourself, you’ll save labor and travel costs for hiring a locksmith. We recommend hiring a pro to ensure the job gets done properly. You can find a top locksmith near you and expect to spend $100 to $250 for your service call.
Locksmith Cost Factors
You may need to find and hire a local locksmith for many reasons. From wanting more security to an emergency, here are some “key” factors that influence costs when contacting a locksmith.
Service Type
The type of service you require most affects locksmith costs. Duplicating a traditional key might cost as little as $5 while extracting a broken key from a lock could range from $50 to $200. Installing new electronic locks or replacing a high-tech car transponder key could cost $400 or more. Here’s what you can expect to pay for common locksmith services in your area.
| Home Locksmith Services | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Installing deadbolts | $50–$200 |
| Rekeying | $80–$150 |
| Unlocking a house | $65–$200 |
| Changing locks | $50–$250 |
| Installing electronic locks | $50–$500 |
| Key extraction | $50–$200 |
| Key duplication | $5–$20 |
| Unlocking a safe | $50–$500 |
| Unlocking a car | $50–$300 |
| Car transponder key replacement | $100–$400 |
Installing Deadbolt Locks
Deadbolt locks are a standard safety feature for a home’s exterior doors. The cost for deadbolt installation varies with the type of deadbolt:
Cylindrical deadbolts: This is an exterior knob that connects to an interior trim plate. The average cost is $50 to $70.
Cylindrical lever locks: These locks are for interior and exterior use, and they come with a knob or lever to open and close the door. The average cost is $60 to $70.
Mortise locksets: These are rectangular cutouts on the edge of a door to fit a mortise—a hole that allows a lock insert. The average cost is $125 to $175.
Rekeying vs. Replacing Locks
Rekeying is when a locksmith rearranges the pins in the lock's cylinder, producing a new key. This process is recommended for homeowners with functioning, high-quality locks.
When deciding whether to rekey or change the locks, consider whether you want to keep your existing lock system. If so, you can stick to rekeying. Rekeying is fast, and the cost to rekey locks is an affordable option. It takes an average of 15 minutes to rekey each lock without replacing the locks entirely. You can expect to pay $80 to $150 for this service.
Unlocking a House
If you get locked out of your home, a local locksmith will charge based on travel time, insurance, overhead, and the time and urgency of your service request. You can expect to pay between $65 and $200.
A locksmith should be able to open your door in minutes by picking your lock. Be wary of a locksmith attempting immediately to use a drill for this task. The average rate for this service is $150, and you can expect to pay more during peak times and after working hours.
Changing Home Locks
Considering changing your locks? The cost to change locks will depend on the type, such as a door handle or garage door. The timing of your call will also factor into the total cost. We recommend changing locks when someone moves out of your home, if you’re unsure who has copies of the keys, or when the lock wears out. Homeowners can expect changing a lock to cost between $50 and $200.
Installing Electronic Locks
Electronic locks are a great way to lock and unlock your doors from the comfort of your smart home hub. You can expect to pay $50 on the low end for a keypad and up to $2,000 for an advanced system with biometrics, Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi. The cost to install these locks runs from $50 to $500.
Key Extraction
Expect to pay $50 to $200 for professional key extraction services using special tools. It’s not common, but manual keys can snap in a stiff lock if you’re too rough trying to get them to turn. Sometimes, you can get a stuck key out of a lock, but it’s tricky, and you risk damaging it. It pays to learn how to lubricate a lock to prevent this type of emergency.
Key Duplication
If a family member loses their key, you might need to make a copy of the master key. Basic house key duplication might only cost $5 to $20. If you have a transponder key that transmits a coded radio signal to open doors (common for car locks), this could cost $100 to $400, depending on the key and car model and whether you have to order from a dealership.
Unlocking a Safe
Locksmith costs to access safe contents range from $50 to $400. If you have lost the key to a manual safe or have forgotten the code to an electronic one, you’ll need a locksmith to help access your valuables. Key replacement, setting a new combination, and changing a manual lock to an electronic one costs $50 to $150. Opening a safe manually costs $150 to $400, depending on the complexity of the job, the safe type and location, and whether drilling is involved.
Unlocking Your Car
If you have lost your key, a professional locksmith charges $50 to $150 to unlock the car and rekey the ignition. The cost will be higher for out-of-hours calls or if the locksmith has to travel far. If you lose a coded transponder key, you might have to order a new one from the dealership, which costs about $150 to $400.
Emergency Call Fees
If you return home after a late-night flight and realize you lost your keys, expect a service call to cost more. Many locksmiths are on call 24 hours a day. If you reach out to a locksmith during off-hours, such as nights, weekends, and holidays, you can expect to pay a surcharge between $150 to $250.
Location
Where you live will also affect how much locksmiths charge. The table below shows the estimated costs for locksmith services for many major U.S. cities. It's important to note that in rural areas, where fewer locksmiths are available, locksmith services might be more expensive due to limited options.
| City | Estimated Locksmith Service Costs |
|---|---|
| Chicago, Illinois | $75–$250 |
| Baltimore, Maryland | $70–$240 |
| Brooklyn, New York | $80–$270 |
| Detroit, Michigan | $65–$220 |
| Houston, Texas | $60–$200 |
| Los Angeles, California | $85–$300 |
| Fort Lauderdale, Florida | $70–$230 |
| Denver, Colorado | $75–$250 |
Peak Hours
Some parts of the day are busier for locksmiths than others. Peak hours are mornings and evenings when people realize they cannot find their keys when leaving or getting home from work. Keep in mind that hiring a locksmith during these times may result in a surcharge of up to $150.
Electronic vs. Standard Locks
If you’re upgrading from traditional locks to electronic ones, you can expect to pay about $150 per lock. Keyless door locks are a tech-savvy upgrade that allows you to open your door using a keypad system or phone app instead of a key. Keep in mind that keyless locks are more difficult to install, raising the installation cost. The type of technology you choose will also impact the overall price.
| Electric Lock Types | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Bluetooth | $70–$350 |
| Biometric | $50–$300 |
| Keypads | $40–$150 |
| WiFi-enabled | $75–$300 |
| Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) | $100–$300 |
When to Hire a Locksmith
Calling a professional is not limited to when you have lost house keys. Other reasons to call include:
Your keys are locked in the house or car
You have lost your keys
You don’t want key holders to have access to your home (including when you move into a new home)
You want to replace or upgrade old locks
You want to install a smart lock security system
Your key breaks off in the lock
Your key or the lock is faulty
DIY vs. Hiring a Locksmith
We recommend that only handy DIYers with tools try to replace or install a deadbolt lock. Otherwise, you risk damaging the door and locks. For example, if you rekey your lock incorrectly, you’ll have trouble using the key, and you could cause further damage to the lock, door, and tumblers.
To replace a door lock, you’ll need a basic screwdriver. The switch should take under an hour, saving $100 to $250 in locksmith service fees.
Rekeying your locks is more complex, and we recommend only attempting this project if you have experience. You can buy a rekeying kit for $30 to $150. If you’ve never successfully completed this project, call a locksmith in your area to get the job done.
How to Save on Locksmith Costs
You can save money on locksmith services by researching different lock styles and price points and giving yourself time to find the right options. Here are some ways to save on locksmith services:
Always keep a spare key in a reachable place.
Proactively make copies of keys that show signs of wear.
Create a door lock maintenance schedule to prevent stuck keys or unexpected breakages.
Shop around for locks at a lower price point.
Pinpoint your exact issue so you can hire the correct professional for the right price.
Call a locksmith during regular working hours to avoid peak charges.
Opt for rekeying instead of replacing locks.
Learn how to install a deadbolt lock yourself if you’re an experienced DIYer.
Have your locksmith make copies of new keys on-site so you can save a trip to the hardware store.
Choose a Bluetooth or Wi-Fi-enabled system if you prefer not to use a key.
Ask if any special discounts exist for military personnel, persons 65 and older, or students.
How Angi Gets Its Cost Data
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We’ve surveyed over 10,000 real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to costquotes@angi.com. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find a vetted and trusted locksmith to work on your home so you can feel comfortable and safe. Hire a professional with these qualifications:
Search a verified directory of locksmiths near you, like those on Angi.
Check for an Associated Locksmiths of America (ALOA) logo on their website or company logo.
Read company reviews. You can also check their social media pages.
Ask for a pro’s credentials, insurance, licensure, and customer testimonials.
Check if the locksmith is knowledgeable about various topics, from decorative locks to the newest technologies on the market.
Always consider security a top priority in your home. Perform a safety inspection of your home. Look for broken locks and rusty deadbolts, and take an inventory of who has access to your keys.
Consider the locks on your shed, safe, and other household items. Professional locksmiths can help you determine the best safety and security options for your home and feel at ease.
When a locksmith comes to your home, ensure your safety by having the locksmith show identification and provide an itemized invoice that you can reference later.
You should replace door locks when you move into a new home since you don’t know who has copies of the key. Other reasons to change your locks include an attempted break-in, when someone moves out of your home, or if you lose a key with an address attached to it.
Rekeying a lock is less expensive than replacing the whole unit. The cost to rekey is about $50 to $100 when you hire a pro or as little as $10 if you DIY. The cost to change a lock is $130 to $500, depending on the hardware you select.