Whether you’ve lost your house keys or are simply locked out, a locksmith can usually help you to regain access to your home quickly and easily. But at what cost?
According to the website Angie’s List, the average cost for a locksmith to unlock a house door in the US is $97. However, as House In Order explains, this price can vary depending on a range of factors such as the time of day and the difficulty of the job.
If you’re locked out of your home and need a locksmith, keep reading to learn more about what you can expect to pay.
Average Price Range For a Locksmith to Unlock a Front Door
To have a locksmith unlock your property’s front door, you can expect to pay anywhere from around $50-$200+ depending on several factors.
As this range is so great, it is important that you ask the locksmith about pricing up-front to get an idea of what charges to expect before requesting they come out.
Different locksmiths often have different pricing structures so you want to make sure there are no surprises when it comes time to pay. This includes call-out fee, price per hour and cost of parts if needed.
Factors Influencing The Price
When it comes to calling a locksmith, there are several variables that affect how much you will end up paying.
Here are several factors that can influence the price.
Complexity Of The Lock
Different kinds of locks require different tools and techniques and may involve more intricate work, thus increasing the cost.
For simpler and more standard locks, such as basic knob locks or common deadbolts, a locksmith may cost around $50 or less to unlock it.
For more complex locks such as electronic door hardware or high-security hardware, it will likely cost more, often over $100 and possibly up to and over $200.
Time Of Day Or Night
Like any trade, working after hours carries additional costs. For a locksmith to provide 24-hour service they need to employ someone who will be on call in the wee hours of the morning.
As such if you request a locksmith to arrive at 2 am in the morning, expect a higher price than if you can wait until standard business hours the next day. Of course, when you are locked out and need to get in, you often can’t wait that long.
Your Location Vs The Locksmiths
Additionally, your location can make a big difference in price, as many locksmiths charge extra for travelling long distances.
If you are calling a locksmith who has to travel quite a distance to get to you, again you can expect to pay more. The reason for this is the extra travel time, petrol usage and possibly even road tolls.
This is why you should always try to find a local mobile locksmith who does not have to travel far to get to you. This also means they will arrive faster to get you back inside quickly.
How To Reduce Your Cost
By far the best way to reduce your costs is to seek an alternative way to get inside your property.
This may be from a back door, an unlocked window or a spare key from another housemate, friend or family member.
If none of these is an option then you will need to call a locksmith. In this case, try to schedule your locksmith request during standard business hours and from a local provider to reduce your costs.
Another great tip is to ask for any concession discounts. Some locksmiths often provide pensioner or military discounts, but of course, you need to meet these criteria to be eligible.
Summary
All in all, understanding the expected costs upfront should be prioritized prior to accessing any services rendered by a professional locksmith.
If all you need to do is unlock your locked front door, you can expect to pay somewhere between $50-$200+ based on several factors explained above.
The best way to get an accurate quote for your unique situation is to call several locksmiths to compare prices. Just make sure to get their final bill estimate.
Just knowing the callout fee is not enough as it may be far off the final amount when the work is complete. Also, you want to make sure you avoid fake locksmiths too.
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