What Factors Contribute to the Cost of Hiring a Locksmith?
If you have ever locked yourself out of the home, office or car, and want to urgently go behind the doors, you will know the importance of a skilled locksmith. These certified professionals have the right expertise, knowledge and tools to help you unlock any kind of car, home or office doors without causing issues. Some locksmiths in Raleigh NC also offer 24/7 emergency locksmith services that reach out to your location swiftly at any time of the day.
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The Cost of Hiring a Locksmith
Just like every other service on this planet, locksmith services also come with a price tag. There are many services that a locksmith can perform and there are different charges and factors involved that decide the final price. Some specialized tasks that a locksmith can perform are new lock installation, re-keying, unlocking damaged locks and so on. However, the biggest factor that decides the cost is the type of service you need. Sometimes you might be charged only a few dollars wherein other cases, you have to pay a few hundred dollars. On an average the locksmith charges start from as low as $50 per hour to $125 per hour during an emergency call.
1 Type of service
Not all locksmith services are designed equally. Based on the complexity of your project, the cost can vary significantly. That is because different project requires different tools, time-frame and techniques to be completed successfully. For instance, if you have moved to a new home, the cost of installing new locks can be significantly higher than the cost of re-keying. The cost of unlocking the car door wouldn’t cost as much as upgrading the locks.
Hence, before you hire a locksmith, it is better that you discuss every kind of service they offer and what they usually charge. This will give you an idea beforehand about how much you would need to pay when you are locked out of your car or re-key your home locks. Usually, you should expect to pay anywhere between $100 to $250.
2 Reputation and experience of the professional locksmith
The level of experience of a locksmith can greatly influence the fees they charge. A reputed and experienced locksmith may charge a higher fee as they have spent years honing their skills for different circumstances. Contrarily, an inexperienced locksmith may undercharge just to get more leads. They may not be qualified enough to handle your situation.
If your requirement is simple, you can go for an average locksmith, but for complex requirements, it is always recommended to go for an experienced locksmith. With a reliable locksmith, you can rest assured that there will be no compromise when it comes to the security of your home, car and office.
3 Proximity of the locksmith
The location of the locksmith is also important to consider before you hire one. It is more cost-efficient to hire a locksmith around your area than the locksmiths who need to travel outside their routine service area. You may be charged a standard fee if your location is nearby, but the charge rises gradually based on the distance the locksmith needs to travel and prevailing fuel prices.
When you consult a commercial locksmith near me, inquire about what areas they serve and what are their additional charges when they have to travel outside their service area. If you are hiring someone from a far location, then expect to pay about $100 extra for a special trip to your home or office.
4 Emergencies
Locks can fail any time without prior notice. Imagine you come home late at night and you just cannot unlock the door. Or, you are running late for the office and your car door locks are jammed. If you find yourself in a locked out situation any time of the day, don’t worry. Many locksmiths are available around the clock to attend an emergency call.
An emergency situation can also arise when your keys are lost or stolen. The cost to hire a locksmith can be higher during emergencies. If there is a threat of immediate danger, such as confidential documents present in your office cabinet, it is critical to call an emergency locksmith right away. In such situations, expect to pay surge charge of about $150 to $200.
5 Peak hours
Just like most businesses, even locksmiths have standard working hours. However, most people discover lock and key problems either when leaving for work or returning from work. That means they are more likely to realize a problem from 7 AM to 10 AM or 7 PM to 10 PM.
If you call a locksmith outside business hours, expect to pay a little more than usual. Some locksmiths only work on the weekdays. So, you may also have to pay an extra fee of about $25 if you reach out to a locksmith during weekends or holidays. If it isn’t an emergency, consider calling the locksmith after peak hours or the next working day.
6 Additional tools and equipment required
The cost of locksmith also depends on the additional tools they need to resolve your lock and key issue. Some tasks require specialized tools to resolve the problem more efficiently. More the complexity of the job, more the tools will be required to complete the job, which eventually makes the job more expensive.
Some may charge a flat fee regardless of the tools they use, while others may charge a low fee initially, and add up to the cost when your requirements increase. Before you hire a locksmith, speak with them to confirm what tools and services are included in the price they have quoted. This way you will be able to avoid any unexpected surprises.
Conclusion
The cost of the locksmith services is, of course, a significant consideration, but choosing a locksmith solely on a price is not advisable. It is strongly recommended that you inquire about the experience of the locksmith, the types of service they offer, the areas they serve and prevailing costs. Always hire the best locksmith you have in your locality because you don’t want to compromise on the security of your invaluable assets by hiring an unreliable locksmith.
