How much does a Locksmith cost?

Residents in Australia can expect to pay between $15 to $330 for most licensed locksmiths, depending on the type of service required. Locksmith rates can vary from small jobs such as key cutting that can cost between $3 to $20 to emergency locksmith services can run between $220 to $330.

It’s important to keep in mind, there are a lot of circumstances that affect the cost of a locksmith such as the distance a locksmith has to travel to your residence or locked out vehicle, the type of service and parts you need, and the time of day. For example, what if you’re in a home lockout situation and it’s 1 am? You can expect to pay higher call-outs fees for the same situation that may have occurred at 1 pm.

It’s always a good idea to obtain estimates from multiple locksmiths before starting an extensive project that involves thousands of dollars in order to create an accurate estimate. As far as locksmith cost from different states and cities are concerned? There can be a difference, depending on where you live and how far the locksmith has to travel. Below are average rates for locksmiths in three different locations in Australia:

These prices vary drastically, depending on the complexity of the service. Other factors that impact the cost include whether the locksmith may need to order additional parts or call-out fees for services outside of business hours.

A good locksmith will be able to make quality locks. The difference between an apprentice and a certified locksmith is their experience. A trained locksmith with years of training can actually save you time and money because an inexperienced locksmith may run into a situation where they might have to request their supervisor’s expertise.

If you lost your house key, need a new deadlock installation or a simple car key replacement, an apprentice locksmith will have the skills and tools to do the job; however, for more complex situations involving high-end vehicles, homes, and businesses with sensitive alarm systems such as safe combination locks, keyless mechanical locks, master key applications, and electro-mechanical access control systems, an experienced locksmith will be needed.

Most locksmiths in Australia operate 24/7; therefore, if you need an emergency locksmith after normal business hours, you can expect to pay higher fees for this service.

Modern lock on a wooden door. | Source: The Tidy Tradie – Lock Carpenter

Many factors can impact the price you pay for a professional locksmith service. They include:

• Type of repair – The price will differ based on the type of job you require. For example, a standard key cutting will be less than rekeying locks.
• Callout fee – An after-hours callout (generally after 6pm and before 7am) will be more expensive than one conducted during standard business hours.
• Labour – Labour costs will be incurred depending on the size of the job, how many locks need repairing and the difficulty of the job.
• Cost of products – The locksmith may give you the option of choosing a particular product. It is important to note that the locksmith will know best so it is recommended to take their advice.
  

  Before and after shots of a scanner door lock installation. | Source: Nba Locksmith

Locksmith prices can fluctuate between the type of job and equipment used for replacement lock components or new lock installations. Some common locksmith jobs include lock rekey, key cutting, lockout, lock change, installation of new deadbolts, door handles and removing broken keys. Below are some examples of various locksmithing jobs for different applications:

Residential: It’s always a good idea when you’re moving into a new residence to rekey the existing locks. With the use of Oneflare data, below are averages of how much previous customers have paid for residential locksmith services.

Commercial: Locksmiths for commercial areas normally provide services for buildings and workplaces. These can include file cabinet unlock, office lockout, new master keys, access control, security systems, keyless mechanical locks, and biometric locks. Average locksmith cost in Australia for commercial lockouts can cost about $139 including the service call.

Automotive: For difficult automotive lockouts, Oneflare customers have paid on average $110 to $200. This price is highly influenced by whether the call is made in or outside of business hours.

Emergency: Locksmiths are an emergency service and as such, operate 24/7. A professional locksmith will be able to grant you access to your house or vehicle at any time. An emergency locksmith cost varies between $150 to $330.

Other: For key cutting cost and installations involving lockboxes, door peepholes, keyless and electronic systems, you can expect to pay between $40 and $550, depending on the amount of time the project takes and equipment furnished by the locksmith. Locksmiths can also inspect your locks and provide expert advice on security for your residential home or commercial business.

It’s also important to remember locksmiths can only provide estimates until they can visually inspect your home or building.

The lock body of a door. | Source: Nba Locksmith

You want to hire locksmiths who have insurance and bond coverage. You should also look for locksmiths who belong to professional organisations.

Additionally, the locksmith should also be in compliance by furnishing locks that meet Australia standards such as Fire Rating AS1905.1:2005, Physical Security AS4145.2:1993, and Anti-Corrosion AS4145.2:1993.

Tip #1: You should always get multiple quotes from local locksmiths who are certified as a legitimate business. You should also weigh your options out on the level of importance. For example, if this is a non-emergency, you can save money on call-out fees by scheduling your appointment with the locksmith during normal business hours.

Tip#2: Only get estimates from professional locksmith services who have insurance and bond coverage. This prevents hiring a locksmith who doesn’t have the proper coverage as your safety and security is crucial!

* The cost data is based on Oneflare and third-party sources

Is it cheaper to rekey or replace locks?

Generally, it is cheaper to rekey than to replace locks. Replacing a lock is a convenient option, however expensive, due to the price involved in replacing a whole lockset. Rekeying doesn’t involve replacing the lock at all. Instead, a locksmith will change the format of the pins and springs of the lock to suit another key.