How Much Should an Emergency Locksmith Cost?

By Michael Anderson, 27 years of experience · November 9, 2026 · 6 min read

Our emergency locksmith service has a $29 service call, and car, house, and business lockouts start at $55. Call (805) 977-6159 with your location and what is locked; we come to you.

Our Starting Prices in San Luis Obispo

Need help now? (805) 977-6159

How Much Should an Emergency Locksmith Cost for Your Situation?

Start with the listed price for the work you need: getting back into a car, house, or business is priced as a lockout, while replacing a lost car key, rekeying a lock, or changing a lock is a different service. The table above lists our prices.

A starting price identifies the service category, not a promise that every job has the same scope. Tell us whether you need entry, a new key, a lock rekey, or a lock change so the price can be matched to the work rather than guessed from the word “emergency.” See our prices for the full list.

Which Emergency Locksmith Service Matches the Problem?

Three Common Emergency Locksmith Situations and Their Starting Prices

For a car lockout, use the Car Lockout starting price in the list above; if the keys are lost rather than locked inside, use the Lost Car Keys or Car Key Replacement listing instead. These are different jobs, so describe what happened before choosing a service.

For a house lockout, the House Lockout starting price applies to the entry problem. If you are inside but want a different key to operate the existing lock, compare that with Lock Rekeying; if you want new hardware, look at Lock Change, which is listed separately from hardware.

For a business lockout, check the Business Lockout starting price. If the issue is a damaged lock or a door that will not secure after entry, say so when you call: repair or replacement is a different scope from simply getting inside.

Need help now? (805) 977-6159

Details That Help Match the Emergency Locksmith Price to the Job

• Your exact location — Give the street address or a clear location for the vehicle or door. This lets us identify where to come and whether you are in San Luis Obispo or another Central Coast town.
• The property or vehicle — Say whether the lock is on a house, business, car, truck, RV, or another serviceable item. The type of lock or vehicle helps distinguish an entry job from key or lock work.
• What you can access now — Explain whether the door is locked, the key is lost, the key is broken, or the lock is not working. Mention any working spare key or fob; it can change which service category fits.
• What you need after entry — Tell us whether you only need to get inside or also need a replacement key, rekeying, repair, or a lock change. This prevents an entry request from being confused with follow-up work.
• Any immediate safety concern — Say if a person, child, or pet is inside a locked vehicle or room, or if the door cannot be secured. For an immediate threat to safety, contact emergency services first.

What to Do Before and During an Emergency Locksmith Visit

1. Move to a safe place — Stand somewhere clear of traffic, weather exposure, or a door that may swing open. Check that everyone who was with you is accounted for before focusing on the lock.
2. Call with the exact location — Give the address or vehicle location and say whether the job is a car, house, or business lockout. Check that the location details are correct before ending the call.
3. Describe the lock and the problem — Tell us whether the key is missing, stuck, broken, or still works, and whether the lock or door appears damaged. Check that you have described the problem itself, not only that it is an emergency.
4. Identify the service category — Ask whether the situation matches a lockout, key replacement, rekey, repair, or lock change. Compare the answer with the listed starting prices before work begins.
5. Keep the key or fob — If you have a spare, damaged key, or remote, keep it available for the locksmith to inspect. Check whether it belongs to the affected vehicle or lock and mention if it has stopped working.
6. Confirm the work and price basis — Before the job starts, confirm which service is being performed and what the quoted amount covers. Check whether the work includes a replacement key or hardware when that is what you requested.
7. Check the result before leaving — Test the key, fob, door, or lock as appropriate, and verify that the requested function works. If the problem remains, point out exactly what still fails before the visit is complete.

Why an Emergency Locksmith Job May Need More Than Entry

The main difference is whether you need access only or a working key or lock afterward. A lockout addresses entry; a lost-key job addresses the missing key; rekeying or changing a lock addresses who can use it. Each appears as its own service because the work is not interchangeable.

The lock or key’s condition also matters. A broken key, damaged lock, or door that will not latch may call for repair or replacement in addition to resolving the lockout. Describe visible damage rather than trying to force the key or door, which can make the problem harder to assess.

For a lock change, the listed starting price is plus hardware. Ask which work and hardware are included before authorizing the job, and compare the service description with the full price list rather than assuming a lockout price covers a replacement.

Need help now? (805) 977-6159

How Emergency Locksmith Service Reaches San Luis Obispo and Nearby Towns

We provide mobile locksmith service in San Luis Obispo and Central Coast towns within 30 miles. Inside San Luis Obispo, the typical arrival time is within 15 minutes; towns farther out get the next free locksmith, so do not rely on the city arrival time for a location outside the city.

We also serve Santa Maria, Paso Robles, Arroyo Grande, Atascadero, Morro Bay, Grover Beach, and Templeton. Give your exact town and location when you call so the service request can be matched to the right area.

When It Is Time to Call an Emergency Locksmith

Call when you cannot enter, have lost the only working key, or cannot secure the door after a lock problem. Avoid forcing a door or using improvised tools; damage can turn a simple entry problem into a repair or lock replacement. Our emergency locksmith service is mobile and open around the clock.

Before authorizing work, match the requested job to the service description and confirm what the starting price covers. For guidance on choosing a locksmith, the Associated Locksmiths of America provides consumer resources. For local service details, see our locksmith in San Luis Obispo page.

Frequently asked questions