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What a locksmith costs in 2026, how after-hours surcharges and trip fees work, and when rekeying beats replacing the locks on your doors.
A locksmith costs $50 to $100 per hour in business hours, or $150 to $250 per hour after hours, and most jobs total $107 to $242. Rekeying a home runs $80 to $150 per lock, while a lockout costs $75 to $200.
Locksmith work costs $50 to $100 per hour during business hours and $150 to $250 per hour after hours. HomeAdvisor puts the average job at $163, with most between $107 and $242, and a trip or service fee of $100 to $250 on top in some cases. Lockouts, rekeys and lock swaps make up most calls.
Rekeying is the cheapest way to control access after a move: $80 to $150 per lock, or $95 to $270 for three doors, per HomeAdvisor and HomeGuide. Deadbolt installation runs $100 to $350 per lock, and smart lock hardware can add $50 to $2,000 before labor.
Installed price at $50 to $100 per hour during business hours, including the trip and the first lock service. After-hours calls carry a $150 to $250 surcharge, and hardware is extra.
Calculated from our published business-hours rate and compared with HomeAdvisor in Oct 2026. Many calls are priced flat rather than hourly, so a short lockout can still bill as a service call of $75 to $200.
National ranges, installed. Your city can run 10 to 20 percent either way, so check the local pages before you compare quotes.
HomeGuide locksmith cost guide and HomeAdvisor locksmith data, compared Oct 2026.
Six things move a locksmith bill more than anything else. Ask for the trip fee, hourly rate and after-hours charge before you book.
After-hours calls add a $150 to $250 surcharge for nights, weekends and holidays, per HomeAdvisor. A standard business-hours lockout runs $75 to $200, while the same call at midnight lands at the top of that range.
Many locksmiths charge a trip or service fee of $100 to $250 on top of labor. Ask whether the quote includes the trip, the first hour and the hardware before you agree to the call.
Rekeying runs $80 to $150 per lock and changes the pins so old keys stop working. Replacing the lock costs $50 to $250 for labor plus hardware, and smart locks can run from $50 to $2,000 for the unit.
Standard cylindrical deadbolts are the cheapest and most common. Double-cylinder, electronic and high-security locks cost more to buy and take longer to fit, and commercial-grade hardware pushes the price up again.
A single door is quick, while a whole house takes longer and often gets a package price. Rekeying three doors runs $95 to $270 total, so ask for a per-lock price and a multi-lock discount.
Rural calls mean longer travel, and locked cars with advanced anti-theft systems take special tools. Commercial vehicles and semi-trucks often cost more to unlock than a passenger car, per HomeGuide.
Most of a locksmith bill is labor and travel. Hardware matters most on deadbolt and smart lock jobs, where the lock itself can cost more than the installation.
HomeGuide locksmith cost guide and HomeAdvisor locksmith data, Oct 2026.
Rekeying a lock yourself is possible with a kit that costs $30 to $60 per lock, and swapping a deadbolt is a screwdriver job on most doors. If you have the key and the lock works, a DIY rekey is one of the few locksmith tasks that makes sense.
Lockouts and broken keys are different. Picking or drilling a lock without damage takes practice and tools, and a failed attempt can leave you with a bigger repair. Vehicle locks and high-security hardware are best left to a pro with the right equipment.
Typical prices by service. The trip fee and the hour are the base, and hardware decides whether a small job stays small.
HomeGuide locksmith cost guide, service comparison table, compared Oct 2026.
All three reset who has access. The choice comes down to the condition of the current hardware and whether you want keyless entry.
Rekey if the locks are sound and you just need new keys, replace if the hardware is worn, and go smart if keyless access matters. Ask for a written quote that separates labor, trip fee and hardware, then run it through our quote checker.
A legitimate locksmith verifies who you are before opening a door. Ask about the trip fee and the license before the van arrives.
Tell the locksmith the door type, lock brand and whether you have the key. Photos save a trip and help the dispatcher quote accurately.
Ask for the service call fee, hourly rate and after-hours surcharge before booking. A written or texted quote protects you from a surprise bill at the door.
Many states and cities require locksmith licensing, and a legitimate company will show ID and a license number. Ask before the van arrives, not after the lock is open.
The locksmith picks or drills the lock, extracts a broken key or removes the cylinder. Damage is avoided when the lock is picked rather than drilled.
Pins are changed or a new lock is fitted and tested with the new keys. Ask for all copies and confirm each one turns smoothly.
Check the deadbolt, knob and any smart entry from inside and outside. Test the backup key on a smart lock and confirm the app or code works.
Ask for an itemized receipt, the license number and the work warranty. Keep a spare key with a trusted neighbor or in a secure lockbox.
Detailed cost guides for each job are being written; the tools above price every one of them today.
Checked against the official source on Oct 28, 2026. General information, not legal advice. Locksmith work is regulated by permit, and by state license for some trades.
A locksmith costs $50 to $100 per hour during business hours, or $150 to $250 per hour after hours. HomeAdvisor puts the average job at $163, with most between $107 and $242. A service call or trip fee and hardware are often added.
Rekeying costs $80 to $150 per lock, per HomeAdvisor, or $95 to $270 for three doors, per HomeGuide. The price includes labor and new keys but not new hardware. Rekeying is cheaper than replacing locks when the hardware is sound.
A home lockout costs $75 to $200 during business hours, per HomeGuide, and the top of that range covers complex locks or a drilled lock. After-hours calls add $150 to $250. Expect to show ID and proof of address before the door is opened.
Rekeying is usually cheaper at $80 to $150 per lock, while replacing a lock costs $50 to $250 in labor plus hardware. Replace when the lock is worn, damaged or you want a different style or smart feature.
Labor runs $50 to $500 per lock, per HomeAdvisor, and the hardware ranges from about $50 for a basic keypad to $2,000 for an advanced smart system. Installation is simple on a standard door but takes more work if the door needs modification.
Nights, weekends and holidays carry a $150 to $250 surcharge, per HomeAdvisor, because the locksmith is on call. Ask for the after-hours rate before you book. A daytime appointment is the simplest way to avoid the fee.
Many states and cities require a locksmith license, and legitimate companies carry insurance. Ask for the license number and photo ID before work starts. Unlicensed operators are a common source of overcharging and lock damage.
A lockout is usually 15 to 30 minutes once the locksmith arrives, and a rekey takes about 15 minutes per lock. Travel time and after-hours delays add to the total. Ask for an arrival window when you call.
Yes, with a rekey kit that costs $30 to $60 per lock, if you have the key and the lock is a standard pin tumbler. Complex, high-security or smart locks are better left to a pro. Keep the instructions and test every key afterward.