TL;DR
Locksmith costs in 2025: House lockouts $75-$150, car lockouts $75-$120, rekeying $15-$25 per lock, new lock installation $75-$200, car key replacement $150-$400. Add $25-$75 for after-hours service. Prices vary by location, lock type, and urgency.
- Service call/trip fee: $50-$75 (often included in total)
- After-hours premium: 25-50% higher than daytime rates
- High-security locks cost more to service
- Get 2-3 quotes—avoid prices under $50 (scam warning)
Quick Price Reference
| Service | Low | Average | High | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| House Lockout (daytime) | $50 | $75-$100 | $150 | |
| House Lockout (after-hours) | $75 | $100-$150 | $200 | |
| Car Lockout | $50 | $75-$120 | $150 | |
| Rekey Lock (per lock) | $15 | $20-$25 | $40 | |
| Service Call Fee | $0 | $50-$75 | $100 | |
| New Deadbolt Install | $75 | $100-$150 | $250 | |
| Smart Lock Install | $100 | $150-$250 | $400+ | |
| Basic Car Key | $75 | $100-$150 | $200 | |
| Transponder Key | $100 | $150-$200 | $275 | |
| Key Fob Programming | $150 | $200-$300 | $400+ | |
| After-Hours Fee | $25 | $50-$75 | $100+ |
Prices updated December 2025. Actual costs vary by location and specific circumstances.
Detailed Cost Breakdowns
Lockout Service Costs
House/Apartment Lockout
- • Standard daytime: $75-$100
- • After 6pm/weekends: $100-$150
- • Holidays/late night: $125-$200
- • High-security lock: add $25-$50
Car Lockout
- • Standard vehicle: $75-$100
- • Newer vehicle (2015+): $85-$120
- • Luxury/European: $100-$150
- • Trunk-only lockout: $75-$125
What affects price: Time of day, lock complexity, your location (urban vs rural), and whether keys are lost or just locked inside.
Rekeying Costs
| 1 Lock | 4 Locks | 6 Locks | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per-Lock Cost | $20-$25 | $18-$22 | $15-$20 |
| Service Call | $50-$75 | $50-$75 | $50-$75 |
| Total Estimate | $70-$100 | $120-$165 | $140-$195 |
Many locksmiths offer volume discounts. Rekeying all locks to one key is usually the same price.
Pro tip: Rekeying all locks to work with one key (keyed alike) costs the same as separate keys and is more convenient.
New Lock Installation Costs
Standard Deadbolt
$100-$175
Lock + installation. ANSI Grade 2 or 3.
High-Security Lock
$200-$400
Medeco, Mul-T-Lock, or similar. ANSI Grade 1.
Smart Lock
$200-$450
Lock ($150-$300) + professional install ($50-$150).
Car Key Replacement Costs
| Locksmith | Dealership | |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Metal Key | $75-$125 | $50-$100 |
| Transponder Key | $125-$200 | $150-$250 |
| Key Fob (proximity) | $200-$350 | $300-$500 |
| All Keys Lost | $200-$400 | $400-$600+ |
| Wait Time | Same day | 2-7 days |
| Comes to You |
Locksmith pricing is typically 20-40% lower than dealerships with same-day service.
What Affects Locksmith Prices?
Time of Day
After-hours (6pm-8am), weekends, and holidays typically cost 25-50% more than standard business hours.
Location
Urban areas have more competition (lower prices). Rural areas may include higher travel fees. Some charge per-mile beyond a radius.
Lock Type
High-security locks (Medeco, Mul-T-Lock) and smart locks require specialized tools and expertise, costing more to service.
Urgency
Emergency calls with immediate dispatch cost more than scheduled appointments. Some charge "priority" fees for faster response.
Service Complexity
Simple lockouts are quick. Broken key extractions, damaged locks, or complete rekeying jobs take longer and cost more.
Vehicle Type
Newer vehicles (2015+), luxury brands, and European cars often require more expensive programming equipment.
Should You Pay for a Locksmith?
Best For
- Locked out with no other way in
- Lost all keys and need rekeying
- Moving into a new home (rekey for security)
- Need car key replacement same-day
- Lock is damaged or malfunctioning
- Want professional installation of new locks
- After a break-in (immediate security restoration)
Not Ideal For
- Simple duplicate key (hardware store is cheaper)
- Car lockout with AAA membership (usually free)
- Basic interior door knob replacement (DIY)
- Some smart lock setups (DIY-friendly)
- Key locked in car with unlocked window
Real Cost Examples
Weekend House Lockout
Locked out of home at 8pm on Saturday with no spare key.
Called locksmith who arrived in 20 minutes, picked the lock without damage.
Back inside within 30 minutes of call.
New Homeowner Rekey
Just bought a home with 5 exterior locks and unknown key distribution.
Scheduled locksmith to rekey all locks to work with one new key.
All 5 locks work with 4 new keys provided.
Lost Car Key Fob
Lost only key fob for 2020 Honda Accord. Dealership quoted $450 and 5-day wait.
Mobile locksmith came to location, programmed new fob on-site.
New working fob, same-day service.
Business Lock Change
Employee left and management wanted front door lock replaced immediately.
Commercial locksmith installed new Grade 1 deadbolt, provided 6 keys.
New lock installed, old keys no longer work.
Pricing FAQs
How much does a locksmith charge for a house lockout?
Why do locksmith prices vary so much?
Is it cheaper to rekey or replace locks?
How much does car key replacement cost?
Do locksmiths charge for estimates?
Are locksmith prices negotiable?
What is a fair price for a locksmith?
Do locksmiths charge more on weekends?
Last updated: 2025-12-10