Imagine being locked out of your home because you forgot your keys inside – or being locked out of your car. It’s frustrating, isn’t it? Thankfully, a locksmith can help you get access to your car, home, or warehouse and ensure your valuables are safe. You might think that technology has eradicated such problems, but in reality, 16,000+ home and car lockouts occur in the US daily.
Therefore having a reliable locksmith number saved on your phone in emergencies is important. Now, you must be wondering, how much do locksmith services cost? Do they charge a call-out fee? Etc.
This article will discuss general locksmith services fees based on different situations and the factors involved in pricing. Let’s get started!
Factors Involved In Locksmith Services Costs
Multiple factors determine the final price of locksmith services; let’s discuss these in detail.
Service Type
One of the significant pricing factors regarding locksmith services is the service type. The costs vary depending on the situation and whether you are locked out of your home or car, want to install a new lock, or get your locks rekeyed. The costs also vary depending on the rating of the locksmith and whether they are close to your location or not.
Emergencies
Costs vary depending on the issue, and if it’s an emergency, you’ll have to pay twice as much. For instance, you can call a 24-hour local locksmith if you are locked out of your house in the middle of the night. But keep in mind that you’ll likely pay between $150 and $250. And that’s a hefty price to pay for a careless error.
Locksmiths also charge more when they are booked during peak hours so try to ensure that you schedule a call after peak hours if you are able to wait.
Trip Fees
If you are stuck in a rural area, in the middle of nowhere, with no help in sight, then you need to cover the travel expenses of the locksmith as well. This can be around $50 to $100 and can climb up to $150 if the area is remote and far away from the locksmith’s location.
Materials
Locksmith services include the cost of the materials they will need for the service type. For instance, switching your manual lock to an electronic lock can cost around $100 to $400. At the same time, replacing the key of an existing electronic lock costs as low as $60.
Does A Locksmith Charge A Call-Out Fee?
Now that we have discussed the factors, let’s discuss a locksmith’s call-out fee. A call-out fee is an amount charged to come to the client’s location, added to the repair costs. Generally, most locksmiths do not charge a call-out fee, even if they are available for 24 hours. Depending on the service and level of experience, locksmiths only bill by the hour for labor. Additionally, even if the locksmith spends less than an hour on your property, they will still bill you for an entire hour’s worth of labor. There are only a few reasons that a call-out fee might be charged. This could happen if the booking is made after working hours, the location is remote and far away, it is a bank holiday, or booking on weekends. Call-out fees vary on the factors involved but range from around $65 to $120.
Costs For Home-Related Services
Usually, locksmiths are required for home-related services, such as changing the locks, rekeying the locks, installing a new lock, duplicating keys, etc. These services fall under $100. However, upgrading your locks from a manual to an electronic option with advanced security features can go as high as $2,000, including the cost of the system..
Costs For Car-Related Services
Getting locked out of a car is not common, but it can happen to anyone. In such cases, you need to be aware of the general costs of such services. For instance, getting your car door unlocked can be around $75, and the same service during the night or after working hours can go up from $150 to $300. Moreover, rekeying your car door can cost as low as $50.
Conclusion
When you are stranded in the middle of nowhere at night, finding the best pricing is not always a top priority. It is crucial to locate a trustworthy local locksmith in advance and have their contact information on your phone. In general, locksmiths do not charge a call-out fee unless it is extremely inconvenient for them to do so. However, locksmith services rates can vary depending on the service type and other circumstances involved. . We hope this article helped!
