How much to charge for locksmith services
Locksmith work is priced as a service-call fee plus per-lock labor, with after-hours lockouts at a premium. Someone locked out at midnight is buying speed and relief, and a clearly stated emergency rate is both fair and expected.
You should charge
$145
per job · typical $75–$350
Why this number. Charge a flat service-call fee plus per-lock pricing, and post your after-hours premium openly. Lockout customers are not comparison shopping at 1am; they want certainty that you will come and solve it now.
Typical locksmith services prices
| Job | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Lockout / unlock | $75 – $200 |
| Rekey (per lock) | $20 – $50 |
| Lock installation | $100 – $300 |
| Car key / fob | $150 – $400 |
What changes the price
- Service call plus labor
- Lock type (deadbolt, smart, automotive)
- Emergency or after-hours timing
- Rekey vs. full replacement
The pricing move most people miss
Charge a flat service-call fee plus per-lock pricing, and post your after-hours premium openly. Lockout customers are not comparison shopping at 1am; they want certainty that you will come and solve it now.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I charge for locksmith services?+
Most locksmith services is priced $75–$350 per job, with a typical rate around $150 per job. Where you land inside that range comes down mainly to service call plus labor and lock type (deadbolt, smart, automotive). Use the range as your anchor, then adjust up for experience, strong demand, and a higher cost-of-living area.
Should I charge per job or by the hour for locksmith services?+
Most locksmith services is priced per job, and that is the stronger model. It pays you for the result rather than the clock, and clients far prefer one fixed number they can plan around. Estimate the hours a job takes, multiply by the hourly rate you want, then add a 15-25% buffer for the jobs that run long.
How much should I charge for locksmith services as a beginner?+
Starting out, price near the lower end of the range, roughly $75 to $150 per job. Resist going below that to win work: a price that is too low attracts price-shoppers, signals low quality, and is hard to raise later. Once you have a few happy clients and reviews, move toward $350.
What affects how much locksmith services costs?+
The biggest factors are service call plus labor; lock type (deadbolt, smart, automotive); emergency or after-hours timing; rekey vs. full replacement. Two jobs that look alike can price very differently once these are accounted for, which is why a quick walkthrough or a few questions before quoting protects your rate.
How do I quote locksmith services so the client says yes?+
Charge a flat service-call fee plus per-lock pricing, and post your after-hours premium openly. Lockout customers are not comparison shopping at 1am; they want certainty that you will come and solve it now. Put the quote in writing with exactly what is included, state the price once without apologizing for it, and give one clear next step. A confident, well-structured quote wins jobs at a higher price than a vague one at a lower price.