Short answer: published 2026 price guides put a standard house lockout at about $75 to $200 during business hours (Angi and HomeGuide both list that range). Nights, weekends and emergency calls cost more, and if a lock has to be drilled, a new lock gets added to the bill. Ask for the total before anyone drives out.
What goes into a lockout bill
- Service call (trip charge): what it costs to get someone to your door. HomeGuide lists a typical service call fee of $60 to $140.
- Opening the door: the labor to get you in without damage. A simple spring latch is usually quicker than a deadbolt.
- After-hours or emergency rate: late-night, weekend and holiday calls cost more. HomeGuide lists an emergency service call at about $130 to $240.
- Only if needed, a new lock: if the lock can’t be opened without drilling, you also pay for a replacement lock or cylinder.
| What | Typical range |
|---|---|
| House lockout, business hours | About $75 – $200 |
| After-hours surcharge | About $50 – $150 extra |
| Locksmith service call fee | About $60 – $140 |
| Emergency service call | About $130 – $240 |
| New deadbolt if the old one is drilled (installed) | About $80 – $225 |
| Rekey afterwards (per lock) | About $50 – $130 |
A real lockout, start to finish
Not every lockout is quick. In the video below, Bill gets called to a house where the deadbolt couldn’t be opened any other way, so it had to be drilled. Then the homeowner wanted every lock rekeyed, because a bag of keys had gone missing. Stay to the end for how long the whole job took. It’s a real example of how these calls go, not a price quote.
A real lockout · 6 min
Called for a lockout, the deadbolt had to be drilled, then 10 locks were rekeyed with no working key. Stay to the end for how long it all took.
Want more full-length jobs? Open Bill’s Video Library · Watch on YouTube
What makes a lockout cost more
- Calling late at night, on a weekend or a holiday
- A deadbolt or high-security lock instead of a simple knob latch
- A lock that has to be drilled and replaced
- Distance from the locksmith (some charge more for longer drives)
- Wanting the locks rekeyed or replaced on the same visit
Watch out for the “$19 lockout” ad
A very low advertised price is often only the trip charge. The real bill shows up after the locksmith arrives. Before you agree, ask for the total to open your door at your address, right now, and whether that could change. Ask for the company name and check it. For more ways to protect yourself, read how to find an honest locksmith.
Before you call: quick checks
- Check every other door you normally use. A back door or the door from the garage into the house may be unlocked.
- Think of anyone with a spare: a family member, neighbor or friend.
- Renting? Call your landlord or property manager first. They often keep a key.
- Smart lock with a dead battery? Many have a backup key or a way to power them from outside. See smart lock dead battery: how to get in.
- Don’t break a window or pry the door. The repair usually costs more than a lockout.
- If a child, pet or anyone is in danger inside, call 911 first.
After you’re back inside
If your keys were lost or stolen, rekey your locks so the old keys stop working. It’s usually much cheaper than new locks: see how much it costs to rekey a lock. If a lock was drilled or is worn out, see what it costs to change locks or replace a deadbolt. If the problem was a key that snapped, read key broke off in the lock: what to do.
Another real lockout · 6 min
A business lockout: drilling in while the alarm goes off, then rekeying the building for the owner. A real job, start to finish.
Want more full-length jobs? Open Bill’s Video Library · Watch on YouTube
Common questions
How much does a locksmith charge to unlock a house door?
Published 2026 price guides (Angi, HomeGuide) put a standard house lockout at about $75 to $200 during business hours. Nights, weekends and emergency calls cost more; Angi says after-hours service can add $50 to $150.
Will the locksmith have to drill my lock?
Usually not. Most house lockouts are opened without damage. Drilling is a last resort for locks that can’t be opened any other way, and it means paying for a new lock or cylinder on top of the lockout.
Is it cheaper to wait until morning?
Often, yes. Time of day is one of the biggest price drivers. If you have somewhere safe to wait and nobody is in danger, a business-hours call usually costs less than a late-night one.
Will a locksmith ask for proof that I live there?
A reputable one usually will, for example a photo ID with the address, a lease or a utility bill. That protects you. Be wary of anyone who opens a home with no questions asked.
Should I rekey my locks after a lockout?
If your keys were lost or stolen, yes. Rekeying makes the old keys stop working without replacing the hardware, and it is usually far cheaper than new locks. If the keys just got left inside, you don’t need to.