How Much Does It Cost for a Locksmith

November 4, 2026 · 7 min read

The answer to “how much does it cost for a locksmith?” starts with $65 for a house lockout, $80 for key fob programming, and $95 plus hardware for a lock change. These are starting prices, so identify the job and any needed hardware or key part before comparing totals.

Our Starting Prices in Salt Lake City

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How Much Does It Cost for a Locksmith? Start With the Job

A locksmith cost begins with the service you need: getting back into a locked car or home, replacing a lost key, rekeying a lock, or changing hardware. Our listed prices are starting prices for specific services, not one flat rate for every lock and key situation.

First describe the problem plainly. Tell the locksmith whether you are locked out, have lost every key, have a damaged key, or need to change who can use a lock. That distinction helps you compare the right service rather than comparing unlike jobs.

The amount can also reflect what the job requires, such as a replacement key or lock hardware. A lock change is listed separately from its hardware, so check that you are comparing the same work and parts when reviewing a total.

Choose Between a Lockout, Key, Rekey, or Lock Change

Match the service to what has happened. These options solve different problems, so a lower starting price for one type of work does not mean it covers another.

Three Common Locksmith Situations and Their Starting Prices

If you are locked out of your car but still have the key, our car lockout service starts from $65. If the key is missing, that is a different job: lost car keys start from $120.

If you want to keep your existing lock but use a different key, lock rekeying starts from $65 per lock. Count the locks involved so you can describe the scope accurately when asking about the job.

For vehicle problems, compare the work covered by our auto locksmith service. The separate guide to automotive locksmith costs focuses on car-related jobs.

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Gather These Details Before You Compare Locksmith Prices

A short, accurate description makes it easier to identify the right service and compare like-for-like estimates. Gather only the details that apply to your situation.

• What is locked or not working? — Say whether the problem involves a house door, car door, key, fob, or lock. Check that you are describing the affected item rather than a different lock nearby.
• Do you have a working spare? — Check for a spare key or fob before requesting replacement. Note whether it works normally or has the same problem.
• What happened to the key? — Tell the locksmith whether it is lost, broken, damaged, or simply locked inside. Do not try to remove a broken piece yourself if doing so could damage the lock.
• What vehicle details apply? — For a car key or fob issue, have the vehicle year, make, model, and trim available. Check the details against the vehicle documents.
• How many locks need attention? — For rekeying or replacement, count the affected locks and note which doors they serve. Check that your count matches the work you want done.
• Is hardware or a fob involved? — Mention a lock, replacement hardware, key, or fob that may need attention. Check whether the estimate describes the part as well as the labor.

Take These Safe Steps Before You Book a Locksmith

Use these owner-level checks to explain the problem clearly. Do not pry a door, dismantle a lock, or try to bypass a car or lock you do not own or have permission to access.

1. Make sure everyone is safe — If a person, child, or pet is at immediate risk, contact emergency services first. Check that everyone is accounted for and away from traffic or other hazards.
2. Confirm what is actually locked — Look at the affected door and check whether the issue is a lockout, a lost key, or a lock that will not turn. Do not force the handle or key; check for visible damage instead.
3. Check for an authorized spare — Contact someone who may have a spare house key, car key, or fob. Check that the spare is for the right door or vehicle and works as expected.
4. Check the key or fob condition — Look for a bent key, a cracked fob case, or a loose battery cover without opening or dismantling the lock. Note what you see and check whether another authorized key works.
5. Gather the relevant details — For a vehicle, collect its year, make, model, and trim; for a lock, note which door and how many locks are affected. Check those details before you share them.
6. Identify the service you need — Decide whether you need entry, a replacement key, fob programming, rekeying, or a lock change. Check your description against the problem so you do not request a different job.
7. Compare the scope of the estimate — Ask what work and parts the estimate covers and whether hardware is separate. Check that the answer addresses the same lock, key, or vehicle issue you described.
8. Confirm the work afterward — When the job is complete, test the key, fob, or lock you asked to have repaired or replaced. Check that the affected door locks and unlocks as expected before you leave.

What Can Change the Total for a Locksmith Job?

The service category is the first thing to sort out. A lockout, a replacement key, rekeying, and a lock change are not interchangeable tasks. A quote for one should not be treated as the cost of another.

Parts matter too. Some jobs involve a key or fob, while a lock change can involve hardware beyond the listed starting amount. Ask what the estimate covers, whether a part is included, and whether any separate work is being proposed.

For vehicle work, explain whether you need a replacement key, help with a fob, or entry to a locked car. If you are not sure which service fits, describe what happened rather than guessing at the repair. You can review our prices and compare the listed starting amounts with the job you need.

Need help now? (385) 853-5247

When a Locksmith Is Safer Than Trying the Lock Yourself

Call a locksmith when a key is broken in a lock, a vehicle key is lost, a lock will not operate normally, or you cannot get into your own property without forcing it. Prying, drilling, or using improvised tools can damage a door, lock, or vehicle and make the repair more involved.

We are a mobile locksmith and come to you, and we are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For a vehicle lockout, lost key, or fob problem, see the auto locksmith service to identify the relevant service.

Check the Key, Fob, or Lock Before the Job Is Finished

After the work, test the specific item that prompted your call. Try the new or repaired key in the intended lock, check that a fob responds as expected, or confirm that the changed lock operates with the key you were given.

If the result does not match what you requested, point out the issue before the locksmith leaves and ask what work was completed. Keep any key or parts information provided with your records so you can refer to it if you need service again.

For help identifying the right service or discussing your situation, contact us. Sharing whether the problem is a lockout, lost key, or lock repair helps keep the conversation focused on the work you need.

Frequently asked questions