If you’re comparing quotes and trying to figure out locksmith cost San Francisco locksmiths actually charge, here’s the short answer: most jobs run somewhere between $50 and $360 depending on the work, plus a $29 service call. Call Now: (415) 205-5718 for an exact quote on your job, or keep reading for the full price list.
We get this question every day: “how much is this going to cost me?” Fair question, and one a lot of locksmiths dodge. We’d rather just show you the numbers. Below is our real price list for San Francisco, the same one our dispatchers quote from on the phone. It won’t match every job exactly since older locks, high floors, and after-hours calls change the math, but it will get you in the right ballpark before we ever show up.
What Drives Locksmith Cost in San Francisco
Locksmith cost San Francisco jobs land where they do for a few reasons. The type of job matters most: a home lockout is a fast, non-destructive job, while a commercial lock change on a storefront with multiple doors takes longer and needs more hardware. The lock brand and grade matter too. A basic keyed-alike deadbolt costs less to replace than a smart lock or a high-security cylinder. Time of day plays a role as well; a call at 10 PM still falls inside our regular hours (we’re open 7 AM to 11:30 PM, 7 days a week), but a job right at closing may carry a small after-hours adjustment. Finally, access and building type factor in: a ground-floor apartment lockout is simpler than a high-rise unit with a fob-controlled lobby.
Full Price List
Every job starts with our $29 service call, which covers the technician coming to your location. The prices below are the typical low-to-high range for the work itself, on top of that service call.
| Service | Typical Price Range |
|---|---|
| Home Lockout | $80 – $249 |
| Car Lockout | $75 – $220 |
| Business / Office Lockout | $85 – $249 |
| Commercial Lock Change | $95 – $320 |
| Break-In Repair & Emergency Lock Change | $90 – $300 |
| Lock Repair | $50 – $160 |
| Lock Change / Replacement (per lock) | $80 – $180 |
| Lock Rekeying (per lock) | $55 – $95 |
| Deadbolt Installation | $90 – $250 |
| Smart Lock Installation | $110 – $249 |
| Keypad / Keyless Entry Installation | $100 – $300 |
| High Security Lock Installation | $180 – $360 |
| Garage Door Lock Replacement | $80 – $249 |
| Car Key Replacement – Basic / Transponder | $90 – $160 |
| Car Key Replacement – Smart Key / Push-to-Start | $120 – $550 |
| Key Fob Programming | $60 – $220 |
| Ignition Repair / Replacement | $150 – $350 |
| Master Key System (setup) | $100 – $600 |
| Panic Bar / Exit Device Install or Repair | $250 – $900 |
| Safe Opening | $120 – $600 |
| Mailbox Lock Change | $80 |
See the full breakdown with more detail on our locksmith prices San Francisco page, which lists every service with the same ranges.
Ways to Keep Locksmith Cost Down
A few things actually move the number on your bill. Rekeying instead of replacing a lock saves money when the hardware itself is still good; see our rekey vs change locks breakdown. Calling during regular hours instead of right at closing avoids any after-hours adjustment. Having your ID and proof of address ready for a lockout speeds up the visit, since we won’t waste time verifying you belong in the home or car. And bundling work, like rekeying every lock in a unit at once instead of calling us back for each one, brings the per-lock price down.
Locksmith Cost San Francisco: Frequently Asked Questions
Is the $29 service call separate from the job price?
Yes. The $29 covers the technician coming out; the ranges above are for the actual work.
Do you charge more at night?
We’re open 7 AM–11:30 PM every day, including weekends and holidays, at our normal rates. We don’t run overnight service, so there’s no middle-of-the-night surcharge to worry about because we’re simply not dispatching then.
Why do car key prices have such a wide range?
A basic transponder key costs a lot less to cut and program than a smart key or push-to-start fob, which needs specialized programming equipment.
Can I get an exact price before you arrive?
We’ll give you a close estimate over the phone once we know the lock brand and job type, and confirm the final price before any work starts.
Want a straight answer on your specific job? Call Now: (415) 205-5718 and we’ll quote it before we send anyone out.
Licensed locksmith (#7929) · Open 7 AM–11:30 PM, 7 days a week · 15–20 min response in SF