Locksmith Facts/Scams

Typical costs:

The cost of having a locksmith make a "house call" when you've locked yourself out of your home or vehicle varies considerably depending on location, type of lock and time of day, but starts with a minimum charge (also called a mobile fee) of $35 -$150 for coming to you. Service on evenings, weekends or holidays can go as high as $150 -$250, particularly in high-priced or remote areas and depending how much time and work is involved. Some locksmiths include most standard lock-out services in their house-call price; others charge a lower minimum but additional fees for specific services, such as drilling out the lock. Having the locksmith rekey or replace the locks adds to the total cost.
Locksmiths typically charge $1.50 -$4 to copy a standard key, but they may charge $3 -$20 or more for specialized keys, and it can be $50 -$175 for vehicle keys with an electronic or transponder chip.
To come to your home and re-key your door locks, a locksmith will usually charge a minimum fee of $40 -$100 plus anywhere from $5 -$25 per lock cylinder.
To come to your home and install new door locks that you supply, a locksmith will usually charge a $40 -$100 minimum fee plus labor charges of $20 -$30 per lock.

Additional costs:

When getting estimates over the telephone, ask detailed questions about what is included or you may end up with a much higher bill than expected. A locked out homeowner was quoted $55 on the phone for coming to her home, but ended up with a total bill of $200. In addition to the service charge of $55, she was billed $85.85 to break in (drilling the lock), $15.15 to uninstall the old lock, $5.55 for a new lock, and $15.15 to install the new lock, less a $25 discount both for paying cash and because the locksmith arrived later than promised.

Legitimate Locksmiths Driving Un-Marked Vehicles:

To prevent theft of their equipment. A locksmith who is trained and equipped to service all of today’s modern security systems must carry many thousands of dollars of tools, locks, and specialized equipment around with them at all times in order to be prepared for any automotive, residential or commercial locksmith need. Clearly marked “locksmith” vehicles are easy, high-value targets for savvy thieves (similar to big packages left on doorsteps during the holidays). These individuals wait until the technician has gone into a customers home and prey on unattended service vehicles left in parking lots or driveways.
To minimize security liabilities. The theft of a locksmith’s equipment from his or her vehicle doesn’t merely represent a huge financial loss to the company but also creates a tremendous security issue for you, your neighborhood, and others. That thief now has the ability to gain entry into almost anything with a lock on it and steal other possessions or sell the equipment to someone with even worse intentions.
To keep their prices down. Vehicle wraps, custom paint jobs and even vinyl decals are expensive, and that cost is multiplied where multiple technicians or fleet vehicles are involved. Every expense incurred is eventually passed along to customers, so, in addition to the reasons above (and possibly others), a locksmith may forego branding vehicles to offer better value to customers.
To keep the service as private as possible. Some situations are best to perform the work without announcing to the neighbors or any passer by what is going on. All licensed, bonded, and insured technicians will always wear designated company shirts/hats and present a business card identifying themselves upon arrival and sometimes even check your ID in some cases.

If you find a locksmith in the phone book, on the Internet, or through directory assistance, and a business address is given, confirm that the address belongs to that locksmith. Some disreputable companies list street addresses to give the impression that they’re local. But the addresses may belong to other businesses or vacant lots, if they exist at all. Some legitimate locksmith companies may not include a street address in their listing either because they operate a “mobile” business or they operate their business out of their home and may be reluctant to list that address. If you call a locksmith who doesn’t list an address, ask why. If the answer is that it's a “mobile” business, you will understand they have no storefront.
Write down the names of several businesses, their phone numbers, and addresses for future reference, in case you don’t want to go with the first locksmith you call.
If a company answers the phone with a generic phrase like “locksmith services,” rather than a company-specific name, be wary. Ask for the legal name of the business. If the person refuses, call another locksmith.
Get an estimate for all work and replacement parts from the locksmith before work begins. In cases of “lock-outs” (being locked out of your car or home), most legitimate locksmiths will give you an estimate on the phone for the total cost of the work.
- Ask about additional fees before you agree to have the locksmith perform the work. Companies may charge extra for responding to a call in the middle of the night. Ask if there is a charge for mileage, or a minimum fee for a service call.
- If the price the locksmith provides when he arrives doesn’t jibe with the estimate you got on the telephone, do not allow the work to be done.
- Never sign a blank form authorizing work.
Find out if the locksmith is insured. If your property is damaged during a repair, or if faulty work leads to loss or damage, it’s important for the locksmith to have insurance to cover your losses.
When the locksmith arrives, ask for identification, including a business card. In addition to a business card, check to see if the invoice includes the company’s name, and whether the locksmith’s vehicle has a name that matches the business card, invoice, and/or bill.
Expect the locksmith to ask you for identification, as well. A legitimate locksmith should confirm your identity and make sure you’re the property owner before doing any work.
Some locksmiths will work out of a car for quick or emergency jobs, but most will arrive in a service vehicle that is clearly marked with their company’s name.
In the case of a lock-out, be cautious if you’re told up front that the lock has to be drilled and replaced. An experienced legitimate locksmith has invested in the tools and education to provide quality service, and can unlock almost any door.
After the work is completed, get an itemized invoice that covers parts, labor, mileage, and the price of the service call.

Some Advice About Locksmith Pricing/Scams In The Phoenix Area:

Beware of the $15/$20 service call/trip fee locksmiths, or ones that claim to have cheapest prices in town, or if the name has 24/7 in it or just a general name like "Phoenix Locksmith". There are even some that claim to have a local address, but upon closer inspection, it doesn't exist. Most legitimate locksmiths will quote you an exact price for the service you need, and not give you open ended answer. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. They generally are not a locally owned business, or an out of state call center operating a web of un-licensed so called "contractors/locksmiths" who will always extremely overcharge for all services, install cheap locks, perform no actual locksmith work, and use "bait and switch" techniques with the pricing after job is completed. These locksmiths are part of a huge national locksmith scam and your only recourse sometimes is to pay them what they want. One good method to spot them is how the dispatcher quotes the initial price or the questions they ask while on the way out to your location and what they say while on-site. Here is a couple of dead giveaways: IF QUOTE IS ONLY A SMALL AMOUNT AND THEY WILL LET YOU KNOW TOTAL AMOUNT UPON ARRIVAL, IF THEY ASK FOR DIRECTIONS MULTIPLE TIMES, SAY THEY ARE EN-ROUTE BUT TAKE MORE THAN HOUR + TO GET THERE, TELL YOU IT TAKES SPECIAL EQUIPMENT FOR THE LOCK YOU HAVE, SAY THAT YOUR LOCK IS A HIGH SECURITY LOCK OR 6 PIN LOCK, ETC. A reputable locksmith will know the equipment it takes to do the job and price it accordingly up front while on the call. If locked out and you do have them come out, and they insist on drilling a lock open without trying anything else (picking the lock, etc), stop them and call us or another locksmith! Don't fall for one of the many locksmith scams. A simple lockout will turn into a $125+ charge before you know it. If it doesn't feel right, just ask the person to leave your house/car/business. Call police if need be for assistance. We are locally owned and operated in Peoria, AZ. We are licensed, certified, insured and bonded for our work. We have the tools and training to get the job done correctly the first time, and at an affordable price.

Just some background on average locksmith pricing:

Results of National Locksmith Survey of Pricing Models

Important things to consider before choosing a locksmith:

Some Advice About Locksmith Pricing/Scams In The Phoenix Area: