Locked Out? How Much Does a Locksmith Cost?

By Melanie Dawn

June 03, 2025

Have you ever stepped out of your house to grab the mail and heard the front door lock behind you? You turned the door lock out of habit, and now you can't get back inside. If you don’t have an extra key under the mat or a neighbor with a spare, there’s a good chance you'll need to hire a locksmith. Understanding the average locksmith cost before you face this situation can make the ordeal less stressful.

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Locksmiths are security professionals who can quickly help you unlock your car or home. However, the amount you pay for their services can vary depending on the time of day, where you’re located and the complexity of the job.

What Is the Average Locksmith Cost?

According to pricing data from HomeGuide, the average cost for a locksmith to come to your location ranges from $50 to $150 (CAD 70 to CAD 210). Additional amounts may be included in the final bill, and understanding these charges can help you avoid surprises. You can also ask for an estimate showing a breakdown of the expected costs so you have a good idea what you'll pay.

Generally, the invoice from a locksmith includes a service call fee, labor charges and the total cost of any needed materials and parts:

Service Call Fee

Most locksmiths charge a flat fee just for coming to your location. The charge covers their travel time, fuel and vehicle maintenance costs. This fee is usually nonnegotiable, and you'll need to pay it even if they're not able to help you.

Labor Charges

In addition to the trip fee, locksmiths charge an hourly rate for the work they complete. The per-hour amount charged for services performed during normal business hours can range from $50 to $100 (CAD 70 to CAD 140).

Parts and Hardware Prices

Any materials the locksmith uses for your job are added to the final bill. This may include the cost of new keys they cut, a new door lock or multiple locks. The average cost for an exterior keyed doorknob is between $30 and $100 (CAD 42 and CAD 140), while a double-keyed deadbolt lock typically costs $120 to $220 (CAD 168 to CAD 308).

How Much Does It Cost for Common Locksmith Services?

Lock installation and key duplication are the services most often provided by locksmiths. These professionals also offer other types of assistance beyond the basics. Here are some common services locksmiths provide and their respective costs.

Residential Lockout Services

One of the most common requests a locksmith receives is to help someone get back into their home when they're locked out. A professional locksmith can get you inside without breaking windows or damaging your property. For this type of assistance, expect to pay between $75 and $200 (CAD 105 and CAD 280) plus a trip fee.

Car Lockout Services

If you’re locked out of your car, you may be able to contact the police and have them open the door for you. If they can’t help, a locksmith may be your best option. Expect to pay between $60 and $150 (CAD 84 and CAD 210) during regular business hours. For assistance at night or on a weekend, the price may be around $150 to $250 (CAD 210 to CAD 350) or more.

Replacing Car Locks

If the locks on your car aren’t working properly and can’t be repaired, they may need to be replaced. If you hire a locksmith for the task, expect to pay between $200 and $300 (CAD 280 and CAD 420) per door. The price includes parts and labor, and it's usually less than what a dealership might charge.

Rekeying a House

Rekeying is an effective way to enhance security without changing the locks on your house. To do this, a locksmith alters the internal pins of the existing locks so they work with a new key. The cost to rekey each lock is around $15 to $40 (CAD 21 to CAD 56), plus the trip fee.

Installing Locks

If your roommate moved out or you’ve changed addresses and you're concerned about other people having keys to the existing locks, a locksmith can install new ones. The cost to replace three locks ranges from $95 to $270 (CAD 133 to CAD 378). The total amount you'll pay depends on the type of lock you choose and whether additional work must be done to the door during the installation.

Deadbolt Installation

Adding a deadbolt to an exterior door is a way to enhance home security. The installation cost for deadbolts averages between $100 and $350 (CAD 140 and CAD 490) per lock.

Opening a Safe

On average, opening a safe costs between $150 and $500 (CAD 210 and CAD 700) or more. Expect an amount on the higher end if the locksmith has to drill through the safe to open it or the job takes a long time to complete. To keep costs at a minimum, look for a locksmith who specializes in opening safes.

Making New Keys

If you’ve lost your house or car key, a locksmith can make a new one for you. It costs between $15 and $40 (CAD 21 and CAD 56) to have a standard house key made, according to pricing data from HomeGuide. The cost for a replacement car key ranges from $2 to $5 (CAD 2.80 to CAD 7). Key fobs can cost as much as $500 (CAD 700) to replace, depending on the make and model of your vehicle.

Lock Repairs

As your locks age, you may have a hard time getting your key to work, or it might not work at all. Instead of having the lock replaced, you may be able to have it repaired by a locksmith. Expect to pay between $50 and $250 (CAD 70 and CAD 350) for this service, depending on the type of lock.

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Locked Out of Your House? Here's How Much Emergency Locksmith Services Cost

Unfortunately, you may not get locked out of your house or car during regular business hours. If you call outside normal business hours or on a holiday or weekend, you may have to pay an emergency service fee of $150 to $250 (CAD 210 to CAD 350) or more per hour. This is an additional charge on top of a locksmith's usual service call fee.

Do You Tip a Locksmith?

Locksmiths are professionals who offer a service. While tipping them isn't required, you might decide to do so to show your appreciation for excellent service, such as arriving promptly or completing the job in less time than expected. If you choose to tip, consider adding 15% to 20% to the total locksmith cost.

All CAD conversions are based on the exchange rate on the date of publication.

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