You need a locksmith when you can’t get in, when you can’t be sure who else holds a key, or when a lock or keypad stops working. That covers lockouts, lost or stolen keys, moving into a new home or apartment, broken keys and worn locks. Before you let anyone work on your door, ask for the full price up front, check that they are local, and in states that license locksmiths, confirm their license. The sections below cover each reason and how to choose someone you can trust.
What Does a Locksmith Do?
Locksmiths are trained to work with keys and locks. They can open a locked door without damaging it, copy keys, rekey or replace locks, and install or reset electronic keypads and smart locks.
Rekeying means changing the pins inside your existing lock so old keys stop working. It usually costs less than replacing the whole lock. Here are the most common reasons to call one.
Lost Keys
Lost keys are the top reason people call a locksmith. If you have no spare, a locksmith can get you inside and then rekey the lock. Rekeying matters here because a lost key could turn up in a stranger’s hands.
Stolen Keys
Stolen keys are a security problem, not just a hassle. Whoever took them may know your address, so call a locksmith soon. They will rekey or replace your locks and cut new keys, which makes the stolen set useless.
Moving Into a New Home
You don’t know how many copies of the keys to a new house are out there. A new build is no exception. The builder may have used a construction master key, and plumbers, electricians, drywall crews and flooring installers may all have had access during the build. A resale home could have keys held by former owners, neighbors, dog walkers or cleaners.
Once you have moved in, have a locksmith rekey or replace the exterior locks. It is one of the cheapest security upgrades you can make. Cost guides put rekeying at roughly $50 to $130 per lock, and many locksmiths charge less for each extra lock after the first.
Broken Keys
Keys wear down from metal fatigue and daily use, and they can snap off inside the lock. A broken piece stuck in the cylinder is hard to remove without the right tools. Forcing it out yourself can push it deeper or damage the pins.
A residential locksmith can pull out the broken piece, get you inside and cut a new key. If the lock is damaged, they can rekey or replace it. To avoid this, replace keys that are bent or cracked, or whose teeth are worn smooth, before they fail.
Moving Into an Apartment
In an apartment, you have no way of knowing who else holds a key. Former tenants, their friends and past maintenance workers may still have copies, especially in older buildings.
Talk to your property manager before you do anything. Most leases don’t let you change the locks yourself, and some states require the landlord to handle it. Texas, for example, requires landlords to rekey security devices within seven days of a new tenant moving in. Ask the manager to have a locksmith rekey or replace the locks, and get the answer in writing.
Lock Repairs for Damaged Locks
Locks wear out just like keys, and an attempted break-in can damage them. A failing lock gets harder to turn and can eventually stop opening at all, which leaves you locked out of your home, car or business. A locksmith can repair the lock or replace it if repair isn’t worth the cost.
Watch for early warning signs: a key that sticks, a cylinder that wobbles, or a latch that doesn’t catch when the door closes.
Setting Up Single-Key Access
Carrying separate keys for the front door, back door and garage gets annoying fast. A locksmith can rekey your locks so one key opens all of them. The trade term for this is “keyed alike.” It usually works when the locks share the same keyway, or brand of key, and it costs much less than buying all new hardware.
Accidentally Getting Locked Out
Getting locked out is the most common reason people call an emergency locksmith. You step out to grab the mail, work in the garden or chat with a neighbor, and the door locks behind you. Sometimes a child locks it from the inside and can’t open it again.
Before you call, check for a spare key with a family member, neighbor or landlord. For a car lockout, roadside assistance through AAA, your insurer or your car maker’s app may cover it. If you do call a locksmith, cost guides put a standard house lockout at roughly $75 to $200, with higher prices at night and on weekends. A skilled locksmith can open most doors without damage. The FTC advises that if one insists on drilling and replacing the lock right away, you should think about hiring someone else.
Updating Home Security
You now have more lock options than ever. Keyless entry, from keypad deadbolts to smart locks made by brands such as Schlage, Yale and August, means no more lost keys and lets you give codes to guests and revoke them later.
Keyless locks are not impossible to beat, though. A smart lock is only as secure as its physical build, your Wi-Fi and the app account behind it. Batteries also die. Pick a model that has a backup key or a way to power it from outside. A locksmith can help you compare options, check that a new lock fits your door, and install it properly.
Forgotten Combinations
Electronic locks do away with physical keys but rely on your memory. Codes and passwords are easy to forget, and many people won’t write them down for security reasons.
If you forget the code to a keypad lock or safe, don’t panic. A local locksmith can open it, reset it and set a new code. For a safe, ask for a locksmith with safe work experience, since this is a specialty.
How Do You Find the Right Locksmith?
Choose a locksmith before you need one. Look for one who is local, licensed where your state requires it, insured, and willing to give you a price up front. In a lockout, you’re under pressure and easy to overcharge, so it pays to have a trusted number saved in your phone.
- Hire local. A local locksmith can reach you faster and usually charges less to come out. Be careful with ads and search listings: the FTC warns that some companies advertising as local are actually out-of-area call centers that send whoever is free. Ask for the business’s legal name and street address, and when the locksmith arrives, check that the name matches.
- Check licensing and certification. ALOA’s advocacy page listed 13 states that license locksmiths as of January 2025: Alabama, California, Connecticut, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas and Virginia. Some cities and counties have their own rules too, including New York City and Nassau County in New York. In California, the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services issues the license. On top of a license, look for certification from ALOA Security Professionals Association (formerly Associated Locksmiths of America). Its Proficiency Registration Program has three tested levels, each building on the one before: Certified Registered Locksmith (CRL), Certified Professional Locksmith (CPL) and Certified Master Locksmith (CML).
- Get the price first. Before work starts, ask for the total cost, including the service call fee, mileage, after-hours charges and parts. Be suspicious of very low phone quotes. A common scam is quoting a small call-out fee and then charging several times that once the door is open.
- Consider liability and insurance. A lock repair or replacement can damage your door, car or business premises. Ask whether the locksmith carries insurance that covers this, and whether their work comes with a warranty. If they install a new lock, make sure the manufacturer’s warranty still applies.
- Expect to show ID. A legitimate locksmith will ask you to prove you live at the address before opening a door. That is a good sign, not a hassle.
If you’re overcharged or something goes wrong, you can complain to your state attorney general, your local consumer protection agency and the Better Business Bureau.
Final Thoughts
You’ll need a locksmith at some point, and the worst time to find one is while you’re standing outside a locked door. Look up a licensed, insured local locksmith now, check their reviews and address, and save their number. If you just moved in, have the exterior locks rekeyed this week.
FAQ
Is it cheaper to rekey or replace a lock?
Rekeying is almost always cheaper. Cost guides put it at roughly $50 to $130 per lock, and many locksmiths discount extra locks done on the same visit. Replace the lock instead if it is damaged, badly worn, or you want a stronger or smart model.
How much does a locksmith charge for a house lockout?
Cost guides put a standard house lockout at roughly $75 to $200. Nights, weekends and holidays cost more, and prices vary by region. Always ask for the total, including the service call fee, before the locksmith starts.
Do locksmiths need a license?
It depends on where you live. ALOA’s advocacy page listed 13 states with locksmith licensing as of January 2025, including California, Texas, Illinois and New Jersey, and some cities and counties have their own rules. In a licensing state, ask for the license number and check it with the state agency that issues it.
Can a landlord stop me from changing the locks on my apartment?
Often, yes. Many leases say you can’t change locks without permission, and the landlord usually has to keep a working key. Ask the property manager to arrange a rekey, since some states, such as Texas, require landlords to rekey between tenants anyway.
How can I tell if a locksmith is a scammer?
Warning signs include a vague business name on the phone, no street address, a quote that jumps once the work starts, an unmarked vehicle, and pressure to drill and replace a lock right away. A legitimate locksmith gives you a clear price, shows ID and asks you for proof that you live there.
Should I call a locksmith or roadside assistance when locked out of my car?
Check roadside assistance first if you have it through AAA, your car insurance or your car maker. Car lockouts are often included at no extra cost. Call a locksmith if you have no coverage, the wait is too long, or you need a new key or fob programmed.
Sources
- Federal Trade Commission: Finding a Locksmith
- California Department of Consumer Affairs: Consumer Tips for Hiring a Locksmith
- Wisconsin DATCP: Consumer Protection Fact Sheet, Hiring a Locksmith
- ALOA Security Professionals Association: Certifications
- ALOA Security Professionals Association: Advocacy and state licensing
