How Much Does a Locksmith Actually Cost in Houston? (2024 Honest Guide)

Let’s talk money.

You're locked out, or you need a key, and you're scared of getting ripped off. You should be. The locksmith industry is full of scams. You’ve seen the ads: "$15 Service Call!"

Spoiler Alert: It’s never $15. That’s just to get a guy to your house so he can tell you it costs $300 to drill your lock.

I want to be transparent. I run a local business here in Houston. I have to look my neighbors in the eye. Here is what real, professional locksmith services actually cost in 2024.

1. The Service Call (Why Do We Charge It?)

Think of this as the "Trip Charge." It pays for the van, the gas, the insurance, and the time it takes to drive from The Heights to Katy (which, let's be real, can take an hour in traffic).

• Standard Hours (9am - 5pm): $29 - $85
• Emergency / Late Night: $65 - $150

If someone says the service call is $15, run.

2. Car Locksmith Prices

This is the biggest variable because cars are complicated now.

Car Lockouts (Pop-A-Lock)

• Standard Car: $65 - $150
• Luxury (BMW/Mercedes): $100 - $250 (These require specialized picking tools, not just a wedge).

Key Replacement (All Keys Lost)

• Old School Metal Key: $90 - $160
• Transponder Key (Chipped): $120 - $250
• Remote Head Key / Fob: $180 - $450
• Smart Proximity Key (Push-to-Start): $250 - $600

Why the range? A Ford F-150 key is cheap. A 2023 Toyota Camry smart key is expensive. It depends on what the manufacturer charges us for the blank.

3. Residential Prices

House Lockout

• Average: $75 - $150.
• We pick the lock. We don't drill it unless absolutely necessary (like if it's broken).

Rekeying (Changing the Key, Keeping the Lock)

• Cost: $19 - $45 per cylinder + Service Call.
• This is way cheaper than buying all new locks at Home Depot. We just change the pins inside so the old key doesn't work anymore.

4. How to Spot a Scam

If you call a number and they answer with a generic "Locksmith Service" (not a company name), be careful.

If they give you a price of "$35 and up," ask: "What is the 'and up' based on?"

At Houston Key Rescue, we give flat quotes whenever possible. If you send me a picture of your lock or tell me your car's VIN, I can tell you exactly what you'll pay. No surprises.