What Should You Charge for Locksmith? 2026 Pricing Guide

What should you charge for locksmith in 2026? Average rates range $100–$300 per service call. See typical job costs, what affects pricing, and build a professional proposal.

Locksmith Cost at a Glance

$100–$300 per service call

Typical market range. Actual costs vary by region, job scope, and provider experience.

Common Locksmith Service Prices

Service	Typical Price Range
Car lockout	$75–$150
Home lockout	$75–$200
Lock rekey (per lock)	$20–$50
Deadbolt installation	$100–$250

Prices are U.S. market averages for 2026. Local rates vary.

What Affects Locksmith Pricing

Service type — lockout vs. rekey vs. installation
Time of call — emergency and after-hours add 50–100%
Lock complexity — high-security or smart locks cost more
Geographic location — rural areas may have trip fees
Number of locks — volume discounts on rekeying multiple locks

Ready to send a proposal?

Use our free locksmith proposal template. Sample proposal, section-by-section tips, and what clients want to see.

View Locksmith template →

Locksmith Pricing FAQ

How much does a locksmith charge for a lockout?

Car and home lockouts typically run $75–$200 during business hours. After-hours and weekend calls run $150–$300. Be wary of online ads showing very low prices — many use bait-and-switch tactics.

Should I rekey or replace my locks after moving into a new home?

Rekeying is the safer and cheaper option — $20–$50 per lock vs. $100–$200 to replace. Rekeying makes old keys useless while keeping your existing hardware. Replace only if locks are old, damaged, or you want to upgrade security.

How do I avoid locksmith scams?

Get a price quote by phone before they arrive. Use locksmiths with a physical address and verifiable business license. If the tech arrives in an unmarked van and quotes 3x the phone price, you can refuse service.

Create a proposal with these prices

BidMaker lets you quote locksmith jobs in minutes. Set your rates once — proposals write themselves.

Start for free

Free plan: 3 proposals/month. No credit card.

Need a proposal template?

See a sample locksmith proposal with tips and what to include.

View Locksmith Template

What BidMaker handles

AI writes the proposal from your description
Professional proposals in under 5 minutes
Branded PDF and shareable link
Client e-signature and acceptance