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- Most of a lockout price is the service call. The opening itself often takes minutes.
- Nights, weekends and holidays usually add 50 to 100 percent.
- Check car insurance, roadside cover and credit card benefits before you pay for a car lockout.
- An advertised price under 30 dollars is almost always a bait price.
- A good locksmith opens most doors without damage and asks for ID first.
House Lockout Prices
A daytime house lockout usually costs 75 to 150 dollars. Fixr lists 50 to 175 dollars for a house lockout, which brackets that range.
Some areas run higher. This Old House, using Homewyse data, puts unlocking a house at 169 to 205 dollars. One Phoenix shop lists 59 to 89 dollars for the opening plus a service call, about 160 to 215 all in during business hours. In a high cost city, a bill near 200 dollars in the daytime is not a scam.
The lock type matters. A plain knob lock opens fast. A high security deadbolt takes longer, and a damaged lock may need drilling and a replacement. A good locksmith tells you before they drill.
If you are still outside, our guide to being locked out of your house lists what to check before you call.
Car Lockout Prices
A car lockout usually costs 75 to 200 dollars. Fixr lists 80 to 150 dollars. Thumbtack puts a car lockout at 166 to 192 dollars. The same Phoenix shop lists 59 to 89 plus the service call.
The car matters. Many cars open in a few minutes. Some newer and luxury cars have deadlocks or no door keyhole and take longer, so they cost more.
If the keys are lost, not locked inside, this is no longer a lockout. A new key has to be cut and programmed, which costs more. See car key replacement cost and lost all car keys.
If a child or a pet is inside and it is warm, call 911 first. Do not wait for a locksmith.
Why Nights Cost More
A locksmith who answers at 3 in the morning is paying someone to be awake, insured and on call. Night work is a small share of the day's calls, and the premium is what pays for it.
Expect nights, weekends and holidays to add 50 to 100 percent. Some shops charge a flat night fee instead.
The key thing is to hear the night price before the van leaves. A night rate quoted on the phone is fair. A night rate you first hear at the door is a business taking advantage of you.
Ways to Pay Less
Check every door, the garage, ground floor windows and every car door and the trunk first. One is open more often than people expect.
Think about who has a spare key. A partner, a neighbor, a landlord or a family member a short drive away costs nothing.
For a car, check your insurance, your roadside plan, your car maker's app and your credit card benefits. Many include lockout service that people forget they have.
Do not force the door. A broken frame or a cracked window costs far more than the lockout.
What to Ask on the Phone
Ask for the total price, with the call out and any parts. Ask for the name of the business. Ask if the technician is licensed, where your state requires it. Ask if they take card.
A real business answers all four right away. A bait operator gives a low starting price, a vague name and a push toward cash. Read how to spot a locksmith scam.
Have your ID ready, plus something that ties you to the home or the car. See what a locksmith will ask you for.
Where These Numbers Come From
Sources. These ranges come from public price pages we read on Fixr, This Old House, which uses Homewyse data, Thumbtack and ACME Locksmith, checked against our locksmith cost guide. Prices change by city, by hour and by year.
One More Thing
Do I pay if the locksmith cannot open the door
Usually you still pay the service call, because it covers the drive and the time. A good locksmith tells you this up front, and many reduce or waive it if they could not help at all.
Is a car lockout covered by insurance
Often, if your policy includes roadside assistance. Many car makers and some credit cards include it too. Call the number on your insurance card or app before you call a locksmith.
Will the locksmith damage my lock
Usually not. Picking and bypass tools leave the lock working. Drilling is only needed on some high security or damaged locks, and a pro tells you and quotes the new lock first.
Why was my bill higher than the ad
A very low ad price is often only the price for showing up. The real total appears at the door. Always get one firm total on the phone before anyone is sent.
Do I need ID for a lockout
Yes. Expect to show photo ID plus something that ties you to the home or the car, like a lease, a bill or the registration. A locksmith who skips this check is one to avoid.
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