Chances are, you don’t consider the question “how much does a locksmith cost?” regularly. In fact, you probably only ask this question when you’re faced with an urgent situation.
As with any service-based business, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all, blanket price that you can expect a locksmith to charge when you call them out for help. The price you’ll pay will depend greatly on several factors.
From the service being rendered to the extent of the work required, many variables will affect the price. In an effort to give you an idea of how much a locksmith costs, we’ll take a look at the various services available and what you can expect.
What Kinds of Services Do Locksmiths Offer?
If you’re one of those lucky people who have yet to frantically search for a “locksmith near me” when you’re in a bind, then you may not know all the services that they offer. Or, maybe you’ve only ever used a locksmith to retrieve the car keys that you accidentally locked inside. The skillsets of a locksmith are very diverse and we often deal with jobs that you may not traditionally connect with a locksmith. There are four main services that most locksmiths, like ourselves, offer to our customers.
Let’s explore:
1. Automotive locksmith
An automotive locksmith can handle all auto-related lock services. This type of locksmith work is usually related to lock and key-related issues or transponder chip issues. You can get help with everything from rekeying ignitions to retrieving your car keys from your trunk and car key replacement.
2. Residential locksmith
Residential locksmiths are who you want to call for lock and key-related issues that occur around your home or property. So, if you dash out your door, locking it behind you, only to remember that your keys are still on the counter – this is a great example of a time that a residential lockout service would be required. They can also help with things like deadbolt installations, smart locks, broken key extraction, and more.
3. Commercial locksmith
Commercial locksmiths generally handle services that relate to businesses and buildings that have commercial-grade locks and other systems that require a trained locksmith to handle properly. They’ll handle your keycard systems, access control, security, heavy-duty locks, and more.
4. Smart Home Automation
This is a service that you may not automatically associate with a locksmith, however, as technology has changed, so have the service offerings of many locksmith companies. Smart home protocols like smart locks, smart doorbells, security cameras, and more can be handled by specialized locksmith companies.
What Factors Will Influence Locksmith Pricing in Columbia, SC?
When it comes to answering the question of how much does a locksmith cost, there are some factors and variables that will play a role in the answer to that question. And this shouldn’t come as a surprise based on the sheer number of services that locksmiths provide and the complexities of each.
Here are some important factors that will likely play a role in how much you’ll pay for a Columbia SC locksmith:
1. The Complexity of the Job
The complexity of the task that you need a professional locksmith for will be a big determining factor in the price. Some jobs are relatively easy and routine and will require a short period and limited expertise. For example, a simple lockout requires little time and specialized skill.
On the other hand, a home automation system or a residential safe lockout will require a higher degree of specialized knowledge and more time, therefore the cost will be higher. That said, for the more complex tasks, you should always take advantage of free quotes from your local locksmith so that you know what the cost will be upfront so that you’re prepared.
2. Hours Needed to Complete the Job
The complexity of the job is usually directly related to the hours needed to complete it. The price you’ll pay for a locksmith will be dependent on how much time it takes to complete the task. For example, a lock rekey will take longer than a duplicated key, so it will cost a bit more money.
3. Average Locksmith Cost
Now that we talked a bit about the variables that will play a role in cost, here’s a general breakdown of ballpark costs.
On average, you can expect the following from the most common call-out locksmith services:
$60 – $120 Open Car or House
$75 – $130 Rekey Locks
$75 – $200 Change Locks
Take Advantage of Free, No-Obligation Quotes
The best and most efficient way to understand what a locksmith costs, you can expect when you enlist the professional service of a locksmith is to give them a call first to get a quote. The team at The Modern Locksmith, for example, always provides our customers will completely free quotes for service before we get to work so that you know what to expect.
Unfortunately, when you’re in a bind, you might not have the time and willingness to call around and get quotes from all the results in your “locksmith near me” search results and you’re more likely to accept the price of the first business you call. In this case, it’s wise to have an affordable locksmith in Columbia SC on speed dial to prevent overpaying for service.
Call The Locksmith Columbia South Carolina Trusts Most
When it comes to finding a locksmith that you can rely on both in an emergency and otherwise, you must choose a team you can trust. You need to know that not only the work will be completed correctly, but that it’ll get done fast, and that it won’t break the bank.
When you call The Modern Locksmith, our professional team will provide you with a quote for service immediately so that you know what the cost will be upfront.
We’re open 24/7 and we take pride in providing high-quality service at prices that our local community can afford.