More than 2 million people in America get locked out of their homes every year. If this happens to you, it can be incredibly stressful, and you will want to get back into your property as soon as possible. However, breaking into your own home could seriously damage your doors or windows.
Fortunately, a home lockout service in San Antonio can help. Locksmiths offer these services to help you get back into your property without damaging your doors, locks, or windows. So how much does a home lockout service cost in San Antonio?
Well, this depends on a number of factors. Understanding these will help you find a great rate from a quality locksmith. In that case, you’re in the right place.
Read on to find out everything you need to know about the cost of home lockout services in San Antonio.
How Much Does a Home Lockout Service Cost in San Antonio?
Lockout services in San Antonio will help you access your home quickly and without damaging your property.
Are you looking for a great locksmith price and high-quality service? Then let’s take a closer look at the cost of lockout services in San Antonio.
Cost of Home Lockout Services in San Antonio
Locksmiths can help you unlock external and internal doors in your home. These services usually start from $30. The rates are the same for both houses and apartment buildings.
Additional Domestic Lockout Services
Locksmiths can help you with a whole range of lock issues in your home and don’t just focus on your internal and external doors. They can also help you access locked mailboxes, cabinets, and even safes.
Mailbox, toolbox, and cabinet lockout services usually cost around $19, depending on the complexity of the lock. Safes tend to have much more complicated locking systems. So unlocking these will cost at least $200.
Replacing Your Household Lock vs. Rekeying It
If you have left your keys inside your home then getting back inside is the only problem you face.
However, if you have lost your keys elsewhere or had them stolen, this means that someone else may be able to access your home. Having a set of your keys means that they won’t even have to break into your property. Failing to secure your home properly after losing your keys could invalidate your home insurance policy.
If you think a stranger might have a copy of your keys then you will need to change or rekey the locks on your home. So home much do these services cost?
Changing basic locks costs between $25 and $200. In comparison, changing high-security locks will be more expensive. This can cost between $120 and $500.
Fortunately, you can keep using high-security locks without replacing them completely. Instead, a locksmith can adjust the cylinders in your existing locks so that your old keys no longer work in them. This is known as rekeying.
Rekeying a lock usually costs $19 per cylinder. So for a five-cylinder deadbolt, this will cost you around $200. Depending on the value of your existing lock, rekeying can be much cheaper than replacing it entirely.
A Break Down of Lockout Service Fees
Each company charges a basic fee for its locksmith services. On top of this, they charge labor costs per hour and service call fees. The standard service call fee during office hours is $29.
If you need any new hardware fitting then your locksmith will add the price of this to your bill.
What Affects the Cost of Home Lockout Services in San Antonio?
The cost of a lockout service can vary a lot depending on several factors. Understanding these can help you save money and find a quality locksmith to get you back into your home.
With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at things that can affect the cost of a lockout service in San Antonio.
The Locksmith You Choose
Each locksmith sets their own rates in order to cover their overhead costs. So quotes may vary depending on which locksmith you get help from.
Because of this, getting quotes from a few different locksmiths can help you find a good deal.
Of course, if you are in a rush to get back into your home you don’t want to spend ages shopping around for deals. You may also have to cover service call charges for each locksmith that you speak to. Make sure you keep this in mind before you call every locksmith in town!
How Far They Have to Travel
Locksmiths charge for their labor and the cost of any hardware you need. They also include travel time in their bills, so it is worth considering your proximity to a locksmith before you hire them.
For example, let’s say you want to hire a locksmith that offers amazing rates and is based on the other side of town. In that case, it is worth asking how much they will charge for travel to and fro your home. This could quickly make a great deal a lot less impressive.
When You Call Them
When you need help with your locks can also affect how much you pay. Of course, you never plan to get locked out of your home and so you cannot choose when you need to use a lockout service.
However, you may be able to choose when you call a locksmith to request a service. If your request is not urgent then you may be able to save money by waiting to call a locksmith during peak working hours.
During office hours, service call fees and labor costs will be lower. If you need a locksmith outside of this time then you will have to pay more for a lockout service.
Whether You Need Emergency Assistance
If you need a locksmith during out-of-office hours or need help urgently you can call for emergency assistance. Most locksmiths offer this 24 hours a day so help is always at hand.
An emergency locksmith can be with you quickly and have you back in your home in a matter of hours. However, these services are more expensive than standard call-out services.
Whether or Not You Qualify For Any Discounts
It is important to remember that most locksmiths offer discounts to certain customers. You should ask about these when you first call a locksmith.
People eligible for discounts often include:
- Anyone over the age of 65
- People on active military duty or military veterans
- Students
- People with disabilities
Some locksmiths also offer discounts to victims of crime. If, for example, someone has stolen your purse or broken into your home and damaged the locks they will offer you a reduced rate.
You will need to prove that you qualify for a discount. So you should make sure that you have a record of your age, military status, or police report before you ask for a discount. Without this, you will have to pay the full rate.
The Type of Lock You Need Help With
There are a huge variety of locks that you can use in your home. These include:
- Five-level mortice deadlocks
- Smart and electronic locks
- Cam locks
- Euro cylinder locks
- Rim automatic deadlatches
- Key-operated multi-point locking systems
Generally, people use the most secure locking mechanisms on their external doors. After all, this is your first line of defense against burglars, and investing in quality locks can reduce your insurance premiums.
However, complex locking systems are also more difficult for locksmiths to open. As a result, you can expect to pay more for a lockout service on a deadlock or lock compared to a standard Yale lock.
Whether You Need New Locks Fitting
In some cases, unlocking your home will only solve part of your problem.
If your keys have been stolen or lost then you cannot simply get a new set of keys cut. This would mean that anyone who has a copy of your keys could get into your home without any difficulty. Because of this, you will also need to replace or rekey the locks on your home.
These additional services will cost you extra. A basic lock change, for example, usually starts at $120. So it is a good idea to discuss the exact problem you are facing with a locksmith before you hire them.
They will be able to give you an accurate idea of what work needs doing and how much this will cost you.
Tips For Finding a Great Home Lockout Service in San Antonio
Property crime in San Antonio is a huge problem. In fact, the burglary rate in this city is currently 72.4 (compared to the national average of 35.4.)
Because of this, it is extremely important to hire a locksmith that you trust to will deliver quality service. This ensures that your home remains safe and secure once you have got back into it.
So how do you find a great locksmith in San Antonio? Well, here are a few tips that will help you get a fair deal and a great price.
Make Sure They Offer the Services You Need
A lot of locksmiths offer a range of lockout services. They can provide access to residential properties, commercial properties, and vehicles.
Before you hire a locksmith, make sure that they can offer the services you need. That way you know the quote that they are offering is accurate. It will also make their job quicker and this could save you money.
It can also help if you know the type of lock you have on your home and what the problem is.
Check Out Online Reviews
It is always a good idea to check out online reviews of a locksmith before you hire them. These will tell you a lot about the quality of work on offer.
If you do notice any red flags then you should look elsewhere. The last thing you want to do is cut corners when it comes to your home’s security.
Provide As Much Information As Possible
Giving your locksmith as much information as possible before they arrive will ensure that you get back into your home quickly.
This will also help the call agent give you an accurate estimate for the work. So you know roughly how much you are going to spend.
Look For a Locksmith Who is Local to You
As we’ve already mentioned, most locksmiths charge for travel time. Hiring a local locksmith will ensure that you keep their travel costs to a minimum.
It will also mean that they are nearby if you run into any future issues with your locks.
Call During Office Hours When Possible
Locksmiths offer lower labor and call answering rates during office hours.
This might mean that you need to wait for them to start work. Provided your property is secure, this is a great way to make sure you don’t pay more than you need to.
Make Sure They Have Proper Licenses and Insurance
All reputable locksmiths will have the proper licenses and insurance coverage.
This should include liability insurance in case they are injured while working on your property. It will also include insurance for the work they do. So if they do damage your property while working on it, you won’t have to pay for the repairs yourself.
Get Help From a Home Lockout Service in San Antonio Today
If you are locked out of your home, help is at hand. A home lockout service in San Antonio will help you get back into your property as quickly as possible without doing any damage to it.
As you can see, the cost of home lockout services in San Antonio can vary depending on the service you need and the type of lock you have. You can speak to an agent to find out more about your home lockout service cost in San Antonio before you hire a locksmith. So feel free to ask any questions you might have when you first call.
Are you locked out of your home? Then get in touch with San Anton Locksmiths today. We’re happy to help.