Hiring a locksmith costs $163 on average, with most jobs between $107 and $242.1 After-hours calls add $150 to $250.1 Prices below are national averages* for 2026.
*National averages, not local quotes. Your price depends on the service, lock type, time of day and trip fees in your area.
$163
average job (HomeAdvisor)
$65–$200
house lockout
$80–$150
rekey home locks
$150–$250
after-hours surcharge
What sources say
| Source | Figure | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| HomeAdvisor | $163 average, $107 – $242 | Per-service table below |
| Fixr | $150 average, $100 – $200 | $75 lock repair up to $550 lock-plus-keys replacement |
| This Old House | $150 average, $90 – $195 | House lockout $169 – $205 |
| Thumbtack | $123 – $275 average | Marketplace quotes; car lockouts $166 – $192 |
House services (HomeAdvisor)
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Unlocking a house | $65 – $200 |
| Changing house locks | $50 – $250 |
| Rekeying home locks | $80 – $150 |
| Installing deadbolts | $50 – $200 |
| Installing electric locks | $50 – $500 |
| Extracting a broken key | $50 – $200 |
| Duplicating a key | $5 – $20 |
How Fixr prices the same jobs
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Key extraction | $50 – $200 |
| Rekeying locks | $70 – $160 |
| Key replacement | $75 – $100 |
| Door lock installation | $100 – $300 |
| Duplicate key | $10 – $25 |
The two sources agree closely on rekeying and extraction but Fixr prices full lock installation higher, so compare on the specific job.1,2
What changes the price
| Factor | Effect |
|---|---|
| After-hours and emergencies | Adds $150 – $250 to the bill (HomeAdvisor) |
| Lock type | Electronic locks run $144 – $226 for the lock plus $106 – $291 labor (This Old House) |
| Trip fee | Some locksmiths charge per hour, others per lock plus a trip fee (This Old House) |
| Car work | Auto lockouts and car key replacement price separately; Thumbtack puts car lockouts at $166 – $192 |
DIY or hire
Locksmithing is pro work almost by definition, but rekeying a standard deadbolt with a $10 – $25 hardware-store kit is a documented DIY route if the lock is in good shape. For lost or stolen keys, Fixr recommends rekeying over duplicating, since a found key still opens the old cylinder.2 Our rekey guide below compares the two paths in detail.
Related guides
Rekey Lock Cost
Smart Lock Installation Cost
Door Installation Cost
All cost guides
Sources
1. HomeAdvisor — Locksmith Cost
2. Fixr — Locksmith Service Cost
3. This Old House — Locksmith Cost
4. Thumbtack — Locksmith Prices