There are several reasons you may need a car locksmith. You may be locked out of your car (either with the keys inside or with no keys at all), you may have lost your car keys and need a new key, or you may want to make a duplicate car key. The national average locksmith price ranges from $70 to $100. Getting locked out of your car can be scary and overwhelming — especially if it’s cold and dark out. Fortunately, professional locksmiths provide round-the-clock assistance to help people in these circumstances.

Car lockouts are one of the main reasons people need a locksmith. Your locksmith’s price can depend on the type of car you have, the time of day (or night) it is, and where you are located. Locksmith pricing may be based on a flat rate, or pricing may be quoted to you after the locksmith determines the circumstances. For example, a flat rate for a car lockout could be $65 for standard vehicles. That price could be higher for after-hours or long-distance service, or service during extreme weather. If you have entirely lost your car keys, a locksmith can make you a new car key, but first they must verify that you are the owner of the car. Locksmiths can even program new car key fobs for you — often at a lower price than a dealership.

Locksmiths’ prices for making new car keys can vary depending on the make of your car as well as the time of day and location. The national average locksmith price ranges from $70 to $100, but duplicating a key may cost as little as $30, while extraction a key stuck in the ignition, cutting a new key and programming the fob can cost much more.

You might need a new car key if you have lost your key, the key broke in the ignition, the key is bent or damaged, or you just want a duplicate in case of emergency. You can request a duplicate of a key you have on hand, or you can have a new key made or cut if you have lost your original car keys. If you need to replace lost keys, you’ll need to first provide proof that you are the owner of the car along with the vehicle identification number (VIN). If you’re just locked out of your car but don’t need a key made, a locksmith may charge $65 to get you back in. Locksmith car key services are often far more affordable than dealership prices for new keys.

Locksmiths use specialized tools and techniques to open your door in the case of lockouts or lost keys. Trained locksmiths can pick your door lock with lock-picking tools such as a rake, a tension wrench, a half diamond or a hook. They may use a technique called bumping, which will work on pin tumbler locks, or as a last resort they may use a drill to remove your existing lock. The national average locksmith price ranges between $70 and $100. A locksmith can also replace your current lock system, re-key your locks if you have lost your keys, repair a broken lock, install a deadlock and more. Locksmiths not only help with front doors, they can help if you are locked out of your car, locked out of your mailbox, locked out of your shed … you name it. There may be an additional charge for emergency after-hours locksmith services. Check out our tips for smart hiring on Thumbtack.

Installing a new deadbolt lock can improve your home security, especially if you think your current lock system has been compromised or there are unaccounted-for copies of your house keys in circulation. A professional locksmith can install a new deadbolt for you in a matter of hours. The national average locksmith price ranges from $70 to $100. Locksmith prices for installing deadbolts may be higher based on whether the professional provides the lock or you have it on hand, how many components the locking system includes, and how long the installation takes. The cost to purchase a lock yourself from a big-box store can range from approximately $70 to $225 or more, depending on quality and materials. Higher-security locks often take longer and therefore cost more to install.