Find Locksmiths near you

What do Locksmiths Do?

If you have ever locked yourself out of your car or home or needed your locks changed, you’ll understand the importance of a professional locksmith. Locksmiths can also help you determine how secure your home is. These professionals have the right knowledge, expertise and tools to access and secure your home, office or car without causing any issues.

Simply put, a locksmith is a professional security specialist who is skilled at both constructing and breaking locks. Locksmiths handle all types of locks, including electronic locks, padlocks, door locks and window locks. They can make and repair locks for homes, businesses and cars. They can install new locks, replace or repair existing locks and cut duplicate keys. They also often provide emergency service and can help you enter your home or car in the event you lose your keys or become locked out.

A wide range of lock choices are available, including combination locks, wireless locks and deadlocks, as well as traditional lock choices such as the padlock, bolt lock, and door lock. Locksmiths usually have the expertise and experience to decide on the appropriate locking device for client and business needs, and are likely to be able to mount locks on gates, safes, vaults and cabinets.

Types of Services

Locksmiths are businesses and individuals involved in the selling of locks and the manufacturing of locking mechanisms and new locks. In the case of missing keys or lock loss, Locksmiths often offer "break-in" services, and there are a variety of locksmiths providing 24-hour support in the event of lost or stolen keys. However, a fee is also paid for help during operating hours. Here are some of the services they offer:

• Key cutting: For various purposes, keys need to be removed, including when duplicates are needed or when a set of keys is missing. Keys are sliced using an automated trimmer or a punch machine.

• Lockouts: If you lose your home keys or have left them inside your home or car, you'll need a locksmith to allow you to get back in. Whether the locksmith opens the lock by hand or he uses a lock picking tool.

• Emergency services: Locksmiths also provide an emergency service 24/7 in case of loss of keys or damaged locks. This includes services for both residential and commercial premises, and access to vehicles for emergency purposes.

• Safes: Safes and other valuables are used to protect confidential information. These are also made from high-strength steel and come in various sizes appropriate for both domestic and industrial fields. Locksmiths are certified to fit them in the designated areas.

• Master keys: A master key key mechanism is one that has its own key in each lock, and a master key  can open all locks. This operation is usually provided at commercial facilities, involving different security levels.

• Electronic locks: Electronic and biometric locks are a very effective way of protecting your premises against undesirable intrusion. These locks make the need for keys or passwords redundant by using the new technologies.

• Automotive locks: professional locksmiths are capable of supplying replacement keys, repairing missing or damaged keys, and even removing the whole car lock. Locksmiths may also use the barrel to remove missing keys without breaking the lock.

Tips to Hire Locksmiths

Not all locksmiths will do the same work, some are specialists and some possess a wider range of skills. Those are the main things to look for when selecting a locksmith: 

• Hire a professional

• Does the locksmith have the proper qualifications?

• Will he provide a proper quote?

• Do they have verified customer references?

• Do they have insurance?

Locksmiths normally take their work to heart and are thoroughly prepared to secure a home or company. Most will belong, be insured, and have a registered business, to a professional organisation.

Costs to Hire Locksmiths 

There are various aspects that relate to the local locksmith's overall price, including the callout charge and labour, and the quality of the goods. Locksmiths charge around $60 an hour on average, although this can vary based on the time of day. When you need to make a locksmith come to you outside working hours, there will be a call-out fee of about $110.

The price can change for after-hour services depending on how late it is. This price will increase to $150-$200 for weekends or 9:00pm-12:00am services during the week. A call-out fee after midnight would cost you about $300.

If you’re looking for an average price for locksmith services, we’ve outlined a few common costs below.

• Cost of changing keys: the total cost of replacing the installed locks varies from $30 to $300. The exact fee depends on the locksmith's expertise and the kind of lock you have. 

• Rekeying costs: Re-keying is a method that includes rearranging the pins in the lock so the old key doesn't operate. The process costs from $40 to $100.

• Lockout services cost: locksmiths can charge you between $30 and $150 to solve the problem if you're locked outside of your house. Services at weekends will cost between $100 and $250. 

• Key cutting cost: Locksmiths would usually charge between $4 and $20 for copying keys. Custom keys will also cost you more.

• Car lockout cost: When you're locked out of your vehicle, prepare to spend between $30 and $50 to get your car access back.

 The above rates are just a reference, so if you want an reliable up-to-date price, get some quotations from local locksmiths.

Locksmiths FAQs

Q: Is it cheaper to rekey or replace locks?

In general, it will cost less to rekey a lock than to replace it completely. Re-keying can cost roughly $40 - $100, while replacing a lock can cost between $30 - $300.

Q: How long does it take to rekey a lock?

As a rough guide, a skilled locksmith should be able to re-key a lock in 10-15 minutes.

Q: What training does a locksmith require?

To become a qualified locksmith, your tradie will have completed a locksmith apprenticeship, which usually takes 4 years to complete. Practical experience is gained on the job, and off the job training is completed through TAFE.

Q: I am moving into a new house, should I change the locks?

Yes, a lot of times old owners move out and they do not give you all the old keys, so make sure to rekey all the locks to one key, making your life easier and your new home more secure.

Q: What are restricted keys?

Restricted keys cannot be duplicated or cut unless authorised by the appropriate person. They can only be cut at the locksmith that created the system. These keys are protected by patent and stamped "do not copy" it is illegal for it to be cut elsewhere.\

Q: What does “rekey” a lock mean?

Rekeying a lock means to change the working key of the lock to a different key, without replacing the lock itself. In other words – you keep the same lock but the old key will no longer operate it.

Related articles:

How much does it cost to hire a locksmith? | 2020 cost guide

What is a locksmith?

14 ways to increase the safety of your home

3 keyless door locks for a safer home