Questions, answered

You get a price range on the phone and a confirmed price before any work begins, in writing on the invoice. A flat $19 service call applies; lockouts typically run $45–$95, rekeys $20–$35 per cylinder, car keys $120–$420 depending on the vehicle. After-hours adds $25–$45, disclosed up front. The number we quote is the number you pay.

Our metro-wide average is about 25 minutes, often faster in central Austin and a little longer in the outer suburbs. We dispatch the nearest available van and text you the ETA so you’re not left wondering.

Before we open any home, car, or safe we verify photo-ID and that you’re entitled to access — a deed, lease, registration, or matching ID. It’s not bureaucracy; it’s what keeps a locksmith from being a burglar’s best friend. A locksmith who DOESN’T ask is a red flag.

Usually, yes — at your car, no tow required. We cut and program transponder and smart keys for most makes and model years using dealer-grade equipment. We’ll confirm your vehicle on the phone and quote the price before we head out.

If the locks are in good shape, rekeying is faster and cheaper — we change the pins so old keys stop working, typically $20–$35 per cylinder. Replace when hardware is worn, you want to upgrade to a deadbolt or smart lock, or you want a different finish. We’ll tell you honestly which makes sense.

Yes. We design and install master-key hierarchies, electronic access control with fobs or cards, and code-compliant panic/exit hardware. Commercial work starts with a free site survey and a written quote before anything is ordered.

Almost never as a first step. We manipulate and use non-destructive techniques first; drilling is a documented last resort, performed only with proof of ownership, and we repair the safe afterward. We’ll explain the plan and price before we start.

Call 911 first, especially in heat. Emergency services can respond immediately and won’t charge you to protect a life. Then call us — we’ll roll a van fast — but a life always comes before a deductible or a scratch-free door.

No reputable, bonded, insured locksmith can roll a van for $15 — it’s the classic bait. The price is designed to triple or quadruple once they’re at your door (“your lock is high-security,” “there’s an after-hours fee,” “it needs special parts”). A real quote is a range with a clear service-call fee, given before they arrive.

Red flags: a generic “locksmith near me” listing with no real business name, an unmarked car, no uniform or ID, a refusal to give a clear price up front, demanding cash only, answering the phone with a generic “locksmith” instead of a company name, and pushing to drill a lock they could pick. Reputable locksmiths arrive in a marked vehicle, carry ID, name a real price, and ask for YOUR ID before opening anything.

Save a vetted local locksmith in your phone now, before an emergency. Verify the company name, local address, and license number. When you call, ask: “What’s your business name, your license number, and the total price including the service call?” Get the figure in writing. If you’re ever scammed, report it to the FTC, your state licensing board (in Texas, DPS), and your card issuer.