Last Updated on June 10, 2026
How much does a locksmith cost? In Phoenix, $95 to $125 for the service call, plus the work completed: roughly $59 to $89 to unlock a door or car, $340 to rekey a 3-door home, $10 to $290 for a car key, and $350 on up to drill a safe. Emergency and after-hours visits cost more. Always get the total price before the locksmith starts.
Here is what locksmiths actually charge, with national averages next to typical Phoenix prices, so you know a fair number before you call and can spot the lowball scams that end in a shocking bill.
How much a locksmith costs: national average vs Phoenix
| Service | National average | Typical Phoenix |
|---|---|---|
| Service call / trip | $84-130 | $95-125 |
| Hourly rate | $85-145 | $95-125 |
| Unlock a door or car | $93 + service call | $59-89 + service call |
| Rekey a 3-door home | ~$340 | ~$340 |
| Rekey a 2-door business | $160-200 | $160-200 |
| Copy a car key | $10-290 | $10-290 |
| Make a cabinet key | $30-55 + keys | $25-50 + keys |
| Drill a safe | $390 and up | $350 and up |
The service call: what you pay to get a locksmith on site
Most locksmiths charge a service call or trip charge to come to you, then add the labor for the job. Some quote an hourly rate instead. The service call covers travel and the visit, and it is normal. What is not normal is a company that hides it and surprises you at the end. In a shop you skip the trip charge, which is why in-shop rekeys and key copies are cheaper than mobile service.
Lockout cost
A house or car lockout runs about $59 to $89 in Phoenix plus the service call, so figure roughly $160 to $215 all-in during business hours. Cars with smart fobs or no existing working key will cost more if a key has to be made.
Remember, when a locksmith gets you in quickly, without any damage to your property, that you’re not paying for the time it took. You’re paying for the years of experience required to solve your problem quickly and with quality. See lockout service.
Rekey cost
A rekey is priced per cylinder or per door, so a 3-door home will land around $340 and a 2-door business $160 to $200. Rekeying keeps your existing hardware and just changes which key works, so it is far cheaper than replacing locks after a move-in or lost keys. See the full cost to rekey a home.
Acme Locksmith offers many additional standard features as part of our rekey service when we rekey a home. Our goal is to ensure that the door is functioning at the highest possible level when we leave (both in terms of security and operation).
Car key cost
Car keys range from about $10 to copy a basic key to $290 or more for a programmed transponder or fob. An automotive locksmith is usually cheaper than the dealer. See what car keys cost.
Lock installation and repair cost
Installing a deadbolt or lever typically runs the service call plus about $40 to $150 per lock for labor. The price variance depends on whether or not the lock is simply being replaced or if a new hole is being drilled in the door.
A lock repair, usually a strike or alignment fix, is often just the service call plus minor parts and can be far cheaper than replacing the lock. You get the price before work starts.
Safe opening cost
Drilling and opening a quality safe starts around $350 and rises with the safe’s rating. Cheap big-box-store safes don’t need to be professionally opened since they are 1) build cheaply and 2) it would be more expensive than just destroying and replacing a cheap safe than hiring an expert. As the quality of safe goes up, the price will as well, a TL-rated safe takes far more time and skill than a basic gun safe.
Emergency and after-hours locksmith cost
Emergency and after-hours service costs more than a scheduled daytime visit, because someone is on call nights, weekends, and holidays. Expect a higher service call, sometimes $150 and up before the job. A real company still quotes the total before dispatching; a refusal to give a number up front is the classic scam setup.
What changes the price
- Time of day: after-hours and emergency visits cost more than scheduled daytime service.
- Travel distance to your location.
- Lock type and grade: a high-security lock or a TL-rated safe costs more than a standard deadbolt.
- Parts: new hardware or specialty cylinders add cost.
- Quantity: more cylinders or doors means more labor.
How to avoid the price-switch scam
If a company quotes $39 or $49 over the phone, expect the bill to balloon on site. Real locksmiths give an exact price for common jobs. Insist on a total, or a price per lock or key, before any work, and read how locksmith scams work. ACME is licensed and upfront, see our locations.
