The honest answer: it depends, but the ranges are narrow
If you call ten LA locksmiths today and ask for a price on the same job, you'll get ten different numbers. That isn't because pricing is mysterious — it's because the cheap quote is usually a bait. The real range for any given job is actually pretty narrow, and the parts of it that move are predictable: time of day, lock type, distance from dispatch, and whether the technician shows up with the right hardware on the first trip. We've published the actual numbers we charge on the most common jobs below. Other reputable shops in greater LA, the South Bay, and the SFV will land within $20-$50 of these figures. Anything dramatically cheaper is almost certainly a "service call" rate that triples on site.
Residential lockouts: $89-$165, day or night
A standard residential lockout in 2026 runs $89-$165 all-in for a non-destructive entry on a typical pin-tumbler deadbolt or knob lock. That includes the dispatch fee, the on-site labor, and a quick test of the lock when we're done. The number moves up if:
- The lock is a high-security cylinder (Medeco, Mul-T-Lock, ASSA Abloy) that requires more time and skill
- The door is a multi-point patio or balcony door
- You're at a non-residential address (commercial lockouts have different liability and pricing)
- It's between midnight and 5am in a far-flung area where the technician will drive 40+ minutes
What we don't do — and what you should refuse on any locksmith call — is "we'll have to drill it" as the opening move. Drilling is the last resort, not the first. A real locksmith in LA opens 95%+ of standard residential locks non-destructively, full stop.
Lock rekeying: $20-$30 per cylinder + service call
Rekeying is changing the pin combination inside an existing lock cylinder so old keys no longer work. It's the right move after closing on a new home, after a roommate or contractor leaves, or after losing a key. In LA in 2026:
- Per-cylinder rekey: $20-$30
- Service call (covers the dispatch + first cylinder): $40-$80
- New keys: usually 2 included, additional copies $5-$8 each
A typical 4-door house rekey lands around $120-$180 all-in including new keys. Cheaper than buying new locks, faster than installing them, and just as secure if the existing hardware is in good shape. Watch for: anyone quoting "$15 to rekey" on the phone. The honest minimum once a van rolls is $40-$60 for the trip charge plus the per-cylinder labor.
Lock change / new deadbolt installation: $150-$280 installed
Replacing a lock entirely (rather than rekeying) costs more because you're paying for hardware:
- Standard Grade-2 deadbolt installed: $150-$220 (Schlage B-series, Kwikset 980)
- Grade-1 commercial deadbolt: $220-$320 (Schlage B660, Medeco Maxum)
- Smart lock installed: $220-$420 depending on hardware (Schlage Encode, Yale Assure, August, Level)
- High-security restricted-keyway lock: $280-$450
If the door has never had a deadbolt and we have to bore the door (cut a new hole), add $60-$90 for the boring work. If we need to add a reinforced strike plate (always recommended for front doors), add $30-$50 for the strike and labor.
Car key replacement: the widest range, $120-$800
Car keys are the most variable category because every make/model/year has different programming requirements:
- Duplicate of an existing transponder key (you have one working key): $120-$220
- Duplicate of a push-to-start smart key/fob (you have one working): $250-$400
- Lost all keys, basic transponder (older Hondas, Toyotas, Nissans): $250-$450
- Lost all keys, push-to-start smart key (newer everything, including Tesla, Lexus, BMW): $450-$800+
- High-security keys (some BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Porsche): $500-$1,200
Dealers typically charge 2-3x these numbers and require a tow. A real mobile locksmith comes to your driveway, parking lot, or wherever the car is, cuts and programs the key on site, and saves you both the tow and the dealer markup. The single biggest predictor of the final bill: whether the technician brings the right key blank on the first trip. Always tell dispatch your year/make/model so they send the right one.
Why some LA locksmith ads quote $19-$29
If a Google ad says "$19 service call" or "$29 lockout, any door," you're looking at a lead-generation company, not a locksmith. The pattern is reliable: the dispatcher you talk to is in another state, they sub-contract to whoever is nearest, and the on-site bill ends up between $300 and $1,200 even on a simple lockout. This is the single biggest reason real locksmith pricing in LA looks "expensive" by comparison. The $19 number is fiction. The honest minimum service call in greater LA in 2026 is $40-$80, and a typical lockout total is $89-$165. Anyone undercutting that on the phone is selling you a problem you don't want to buy. The sniff tests that work: real local phone number with a 213/310/323/424/562/626/747/805/818/909 area code, a real California address, real reviews on multiple platforms, and a written quote on site before any tool comes out of the bag.
What our dispatcher actually says when you call
When you call (888) 492-0666, our dispatcher will:
- Ask for your address and the issue
- Quote a price range for the most likely scenario, including the high end
- Give you an honest ETA based on traffic and current call volume
- Send the nearest fully-stocked technician
The technician then inspects the situation on site and writes you a fixed quote before any work begins. If the on-site number is more than the high end of the phone quote — which is rare and usually only happens when the lock turns out to be more complex than described on the call — we explain why before doing anything. If you don't want to proceed, you owe nothing. That's the entire pricing playbook. No tricks, no upsells, no "well, now that I'm here" surprises.