Locksmiths handle lockouts, rekeying, lock installation, key cutting, safe work, and security upgrades for homes, businesses, and vehicles. Most are solo operators or small shops with a service van, and they bill per call-out plus labor and hardware. Invoices usually cover a service call fee, labor, parts, and sometimes after-hours or emergency surcharges.
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Most locksmiths charge a service call (trip) fee that covers travel and the first few minutes on site, then add labor and parts. Labor is billed either hourly or as a flat price per task, such as a flat rate per lock for rekeying or a flat price for a residential lockout. Hardware is sold at a markup over wholesale cost, commonly 30 to 100 percent depending on the item. After-hours, holiday, and emergency calls carry a surcharge or a higher call fee. Automotive work is often priced per key or per programming job, and commercial work such as master key systems, access control, and door hardware is quoted per door or per project. Many locksmiths quote a firm price by phone for standard jobs and confirm it on site before starting.
| Service | Priced | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Service call / trip fee | per visit | $25-100 |
| Residential lockout | flat fee (plus call fee) | $50-150 |
| Rekey a standard lock | per cylinder | $15-35 |
| Install a deadbolt or knob set (labor only) | per lock | $40-100 |
| Car key replacement with transponder programming | per key | $120-350 |
| Duplicate key (standard house key) | per key | $3-10 |
| Safe opening or combination change | per job | $100-350 |
| Hourly labor (commercial or specialty work) | per hour | $65-130 |
Typical US ranges. Rates vary by region, experience, and job size.
| Description | Qty | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service call, weekday evening | 1 visit | $65.00 | $65.00 |
| Rekey front door deadbolt and back door knob (new pins and keys, 2 keys per lock) | 2 cylinders | $25.00 | $50.00 |
| Install new grade 2 deadbolt, customer-selected (labor) | 1 lock | $60.00 | $60.00 |
| Grade 2 deadbolt, satin nickel (hardware) | 1 each | $48.00 | $48.00 |
| Additional key copies | 4 keys | $4.00 | $16.00 |
| Total | $239.00 | ||
Notes: Due upon completion. Rekeyed locks and new hardware are warrantied for 90 days against defects in workmanship. Please keep old keys for rekeyed locks out of circulation. Cash, card, and Zelle accepted.
Locksmith work is location-specific and often urgent, so a record of when and where you worked helps resolve disputes and supports after-hours charges.
Customers often object to lump sums, and unclear bills are a common source of complaints about locksmiths. Separate lines show exactly what was charged.
Gives the customer a record for warranty claims, insurance, or future rekeying, and shows what they paid for.
Rekeying and key copies are priced per unit, so counts justify the total and let the customer verify the work.
Shows that the higher price was a known surcharge and not an inflated rate, which heads off chargebacks.
For lockouts and vehicle or safe work, noting that you verified the customer's ID or ownership protects you if someone later disputes the entry.
Many states and cities license locksmiths, and showing your license number and a real business name builds trust and meets local rules where they apply.
Residential and emergency jobs are normally paid on completion, before you leave, by card, cash, or a mobile payment app. Take a card on file or payment before cutting or programming a key for a vehicle, since the work cannot be undone. For larger commercial jobs such as master key systems, access control, or multi-door hardware installs, ask for a deposit of 25 to 50 percent to cover parts, with the balance due on completion or net 15 to 30 days for established business accounts. Late fees of 1 to 1.5 percent per month are common on net terms, but state them on the quote and invoice up front. Property managers and facilities departments often pay by check or ACH after receiving a PO number.
Tell the customer the call fee, the labor price, and any expected parts cost before you touch the lock. Customers who feel surprised by the final bill are the ones who dispute card charges or leave bad reviews.
A locksmith has no leverage after the door is open and the customer is inside. Take payment on site and send a receipt or invoice by text or email immediately.
If you arrive and the job is not what was described, such as a high-security lock that needs special tools, the call fee still covers your time and travel. State this when booking.
Keeping parts separate from labor makes your markup less of a point of argument and lets you adjust labor without changing hardware pricing. Track your supplier cost on each item.
Property managers and businesses want PO numbers, job site names, and door or unit numbers on each invoice so their accounting can code the cost. Add them as you go and you will get paid faster.
Yes, in most cases. The call fee covers vehicle costs and your time getting there, while labor covers the actual work. Splitting them makes your pricing clear and ensures you are paid for travel even on short jobs.
List the standard call fee and lockout labor, then add a separate line for the after-hours surcharge. Some locksmiths use a higher call fee instead, but a separate line is clearer to the customer.
It depends on the state. Many states tax parts and hardware you sell, and some also tax labor or repair services, while others do not. Check with your state revenue department or an accountant and show tax on its own line if you collect it.
Some states and cities require a locksmith license, and others do not. Where one is required, many jurisdictions expect the license number on your invoices, ads, or vehicle. Check your state and local rules.
Keep a signed work order or a text confirmation of the quote, plus photos of the work and the final itemized invoice. This documentation is what you will need to respond to a chargeback or a complaint.
Send a Locksmith estimate for approval, then turn it into an invoice when the work is done.
Locksmith estimate template