How to Find a Locksmith That’s Reliable: Top Tips on What to Look for

Locksmiths can help homeowners with various tasks—from emergency lockout rescues to upgrading home security and repairing broken locks, they are true masters of their trade. Knowing how to find a locksmith is key, and waiting until an emergency happens where you’re locked out of your house isn’t ideal. Take proactive steps by reading reviews from at least three different pros and saving your preferred locksmith in your phone in an emergency.

What Services Does a Locksmith Offer? 

While you might think to hire a local locksmith when you lock yourself out of your house or car, there are actually plenty of reasons why you might hire one. For example, when you move into a new home, it’s crucial to replace the locks on all the doors, as you never know who has keys to the old ones. A locksmith can either rekey or replace the existing locks so you know exactly who can enter your home with a key. Additionally, locksmiths can:

• Repair locks that have a broken key inside

• Repair damaged or worn locks

• Install single-key access

• Explore options for installing home security

• Reset and recode your electronic keypad

• Make duplicate keys

• Help with antique lock and key restoration

What to Do if You’re Locked Out of the House 

If you find yourself locked out of the house, you should start checking the usual spots where family and friends typically store spare keys. Beyond that, contact a neighbor if you gave someone a set to hold onto way back when. If you rent, call up your landlord, as they’ll have a key. If none of these do the trick, you’ll have to bite the bullet and hire a local emergency locksmith (unless, of course, you know how to pick your lock and have the tools on hand). Emergency locksmiths tend to operate 24 hours a day, so you won’t (literally) be left out in the cold at two in the morning. 

How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Locksmith?

The cost to hire a locksmith for most homeowners is between $110 and $250. However, depending on the situation's complexity (and whether or not it’s an emergency), you might spend as little as $50 for a simple project or as much as $400 or more for something more significant. Speaking with a locksmith near you to gather and compare quotes is a fast way to understand your spending. 

Tips for Hiring a Locksmith

Sometimes, an accidental lockout happens, and you need emergency locksmith services right away, but at other times, you can take your time when hiring a locksmith near you for your project. If that’s the case, there are a few things you can do to help the project go smoothly. 

 1. Plan Your Locksmith Project Ahead

You can only plan so far into the future, but if you know of a time when you’ll need the services of a locksmith (say, when moving into a new home), it’s best to plan out—to the best of your abilities—what you’ll need. Will you be replacing all the locks in your home? Will you need duplicate keys made? Having an idea of what services you’ll need before talking with a pro can make the whole process much easier for everyone. Consider things like:

• The number of locks to change, including the back and side doors, sliding doors, and garage door

• A description of the current locks, such as double versus single cylinder deadbolt and brand names 

• Whether you need more or upgraded locks 

2. Check Your Locksmith’s Qualifications and References

Professional locksmiths have no problem sharing information about their licensing, insurance, and bonding. They’re proud to stand by their work, so they’ll eagerly share referrals. You can ask questions like:

• Do you have a valid state license and registration?

• Can I conduct a background check? 

• Are you part of any professional locksmith organization, like the ALOA or the Society of Professional Locksmiths? 

• What are your reviews like? 

3. Interview Pros and Get Multiple Quotes

If you’re planning on a somewhat significant job, like replacing the locks in your entire house, it’s best to talk to and get quotes from at least three different locksmith professionals. You’ll learn about start and completion dates for your project, who will shop for supplies, and deposits or travel fees needed. You can also discuss their payment forms and when payment will be due. 

Choosing the Right Locksmith Pro

Knowing how to find a locksmith is one thing, but choosing the right one for you is another. Ultimately, you’ll need to choose a locksmith that provides the services you need at a cost that is right for you. When selecting a locksmith, a significant consideration is emergency services—knowing if they are offered and at what price. If taking on a larger project, hiring a locksmith with the expertise for more significant projects is the way to go. Always read reviews of any pro on Angi to know precisely what to expect for your locksmithing project. 

Look for Red Flags When Searching for a Locksmith 

If a locksmith is unwilling to answer industry-standard questions like whether they have proper licensing or their prices during the research and interview process, choose another company. Reputable pros are transparent with their customers. 

Other red flags include promises of low rates (without hearing about the problem) and unrealistic response and completion times. These red flags could indicate the locksmith doesn’t have the skills to do the job correctly.