I wanted to ask what are competitive rates now for certain work orders? Feel free to PM me a list if you have one to share. I just finished a draft business plan and just need to get an idea for pricing! Thanks
I would call locksmiths in your local area. Don't tell them you are about to become competition, just call and ask for their rates for one or two items on your list. Apropriate pricing will vary by local markets, and what those markets will bear.
Gordon
Just when you finally think you have learned it all, that is when you learn that you don't know anything yet.
The National Locksmith Magazine ( or maybe it was the locksmith Ledger) used to annually publish a list of charges for different work. You might want to try there.
Everyone who eats potatoes eventually dies. Therefore potatoes are poisonous.
Thanks for all your responses. I found some information on a Google search "Locksmith Charges", and came upon a website that gave the average locksmith prices in the United States. I posted the information below to share with all you fellow locksmiths and to those starting your own business. Hope this helps with anyone in the field!
Average Locksmith Prices in the USA
Labor Charges Service Call $60-$75 Hourly Rate $60-$80 Auto Opening Call $50-$75
Key Duplication American Single Cut $2-$4 American Double Cut $3-$5 Foreign Single Cut $3-$4 Foreign Double Cut $4.50-$6.50 Sidewinder Auto Key $50-$70 Transponder Key $55-$75 Flat Steel $5-$7 Tubular Key $6-$8 Bit Key $9-$11 Safe Deposit Key $6-$8 High Security Key $13-$15 Best/Falcon Key $4-$6 Key From Broken Sample $6-$9 Re-Key Cylinder / In Shop Key-in-knob $14-$17 Rim / Mortise $8-$12 Set To MK system $15-$18 High Security $17-$20 Pick or Shim Cylinder Open $4-$6 Best $15-$18 Safe Deposit $15-$35 Tubular $15-$20 Auto Locks - In Shop Standard fitting US Ignition Key $50-$75 Standard fitting GM Vats Key $75-$90 Standard fitting Foreign Ignition Key $75-$90 Standard fitting Transponder Key $85-$100 Standard fitting Sidewinder Key $110-$130 Rekey Door/Trunk Key $25-$35 Standard fitting Motorcycle Key $70-$90
Keys by Code American Single Cut $10-$15 American Double Cut $15-$20 Foreign Single Cut $15-$20 Foreign Sidewinder $50-$60 Suitcase $5-$10 Tubular $20-$30 Motorcycle $15-$25
Fitting First Key By Impression $30-$40 By Reading $30-$40
Local market will dictate your charges. It's not the same in any 2 states or even cities.
You will need to calculate how much money you need to make per job to insure that you make a profit and then figure out what your customers are willing to pay.
Some of those prices are extremely low for this area while some are very high.
You don't want to be the cheapest person in town. Actually being in the top 2 most expensive is where the successful people are.
We are more expensive than anyone around us and we are backlogged by at least 2 days for most of the year.
Those prices for the most part look accurate. I notice in our area the labor rate is a bit lower. We also don't differ between rekeying a knob or rekeying a mortise, rim cylinder. We do add for field rekeying of exit devices based on the time required over rekeying a mortise lock. The shop I used to work at charged extra for each level in a MK system even though it wasn't extra work; I think this was done to discourage some customers from going crazy with maison keying and unnecessary complication of a system. Where I work now we have a flat rate unless it is MK of a high security lock or IC core.
