There are more than 900,000 homes across Houston. Whether you live in a house or an apartment, your home provides shelter, comfort, and security. Because of this, getting locked out of your property can be incredibly stressful and inconvenient.
Fortunately, there is a quick and easy way to get back into your property. Locksmiths across America help more than 2 million people get back into their homes every year. So if you are locked out, it’s time to find a home lockout service in Houston.
Understanding how much these services cost will help you find a locksmith that offers value for money and high-quality service. Not sure how much you should spend on a lockout service? Then you’re in the right place!
Read on to find out everything you need to know about the cost of home lockout services and car lockout service costs in Houston!
What Do Home Lockout Services Do?
If you are locked out of your home and locksmith can get you back into your property quickly.
They have special tools that they use to pick locks without damaging them. Alternatively, if your key is stuck in a lock, they can extract the key or remove the lock without damaging the door or its frame.
Why Get Help From a Professional Lockout Service in Houston?
Technically, a lockout service isn’t the only way that you can get back into your property when you are locked out. You might be tempted to break a window or try to pick the lock yourself.
However, doing this without professional expertise could seriously damage your property. This will help you get into your home, but it will compromise its security once you are inside.
A professional locksmith will get you inside without damaging your home. They also offer a range of services, such as lock changes, that ensure your property is secure.
This doesn’t just give you peace of mind. It is also important for your home insurance coverage. If you repair a lock yourself and then become the victim of a burglary, your home insurance may be invalidated.
Getting professional help means that you will have proof of your home’s security measures. So you will be able to make a claim if the worst happens.
How Much Does a Home Lockout Service Cost in Houston?
The overall cost of a lockout service will depend on:
- The services you need
- How long the job takes
- Whether or not you need any new hardware
When you call a locksmith, an agent will give you a breakdown of their costs and an estimate for the work you require. Let’s take a closer look at the cost of lockout services in Houston.
Cost of Lockout Services for Houses and Apartments
Lockout services for houses and apartments in Houston start from $30.
Locksmith services can work on external and internal doors in your home. So they can help you with a range of lockout issues.
Domestic Lockout Services
Locksmiths can also help you with locks within your property as well. For example, you might not be able to get into a cabinet or mailbox. These kinds of lockout services start from $30.
Unlocking a safe in your property can be more complicated. Because of this, safe unlocking services start from $70.
The Cost of Changing Your Household Locks
If you have left your keys in your apartment then you will be fine just using a lockout service. However, if you have lost your keys or had them stolen, then you will also need to secure your home once you’re inside it. This means changing the locks.
The cost of changing the locks on your home starts from $40. You will also need to pay for the new locks themselves.
This can be frustrating if you have invested in particularly expensive locks on your external doors. In that case, you may be able to save money by getting your locks rekeyed instead.
This involves changing the cylinders within your existing locks so your old keys no longer work in them. Rekeying a lock or changing its combination starts from $15 per cylinder.
Alternatively, if your lock has been damaged or has a key stuck in it, repair costs start from $35.
Service Call Fees
On top of their flat fees, most locksmiths also charge for their labor, the price of any hardware you require (such as a new lock), and service calls.
Service call fees during working hours usually cost $29. During your call, an agent will give you an estimate for the work you require. This includes labor costs and the price of hardware, so there will be no hidden costs.
Providing as much information as possible will help them give you an accurate quote. However, the final cost of a lockout service may vary depending on the work that a locksmith has to do when they arrive at your home.
What Affects the Cost of Home Lockout Services in Houston?
Locksmiths will set a rate for the service you need and their labor. However, a number of things can also affect the cost of a lockout service.
Here are some factors to keep in mind when looking for a lockout service.
When You Call
Calling a locksmith during office hours will always be cheaper. During this time they will offer better service call rates and cheaper labor costs.
If you call at night, during weekends, or on a national holiday, this will cost you more.
Because of this, it is important to think about whether or not you urgently need a locksmith. If your keys are inside the property, you could save money by staying with friends or family for a few days.
Of course, if someone has stolen your keys then you will need to secure your property as quickly as possible. So you may just have to accept the additional costs.
Whether You Need Help From an Emergency Locksmith
If you need to get into your property urgently, then emergency locksmiths are here to help.
These services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and offer a quick response time. So a locksmith will be with you as quickly as possible.
Hiring an emergency locksmith will be more expensive, especially outside of office hours. However, it is good to know that help is always available.
The Type of Lock You Have
There can be a whole range of locks within your property and each of these offers a different level of security. The type of lock you need help with can affect how much you pay for a lockout service.
For example, deadbolt door locks are extremely secure, so they are often used on external doors. Getting into these locks is more difficult and can take longer. Because of this, locksmiths tend to charge more for servicing these kinds of locks.
Additional Services That You Require
As we have mentioned, getting into your home may only be part of the problem. If you require additional services, these will be added to your bill.
If you aren’t sure which services you need, then you can discuss this with an agent when you call. Explaining the problem to them will help you figure out exactly what you need.
How Far Your Locksmith Has to Travel
Most locksmiths also charge for travel time to and from a job. After all, during this time they won’t be able to take on any other work.
Because of this, it is important to think carefully about which locksmith you use. Hiring a cheaper locksmith might make it feel like you are saving money. But if they have to travel across Houston to get to you, then this could become much more expensive.
So make sure you ask about this before hiring a locksmith.
Whether or Not You Qualify for Any Service Discounts
A lot of locksmiths also offer discounts for their services to certain customers. You may be eligible for a discount if you:
- Are aged 65 or over
- Are a member of the military or are a military veteran
- Are a student
- Have a disability
If you have been the victim of a crime then you may also be eligible for a discount. For example, some locksmiths offer discounts to people who have had their keys stolen.
You will need to prove that you qualify for a discount before it is applied to your bill. So you will need evidence of your military status, age, or student ID. If you have been the victim of a crime then you will also need to report this and give your locksmith your case number.
Tips for Finding a Great Locksmith in Houston
You have to put a lot of trust in the locksmith you hire. After all, you aren’t just relying on them to get back into your home. You’re also asking them to secure your home from would-be burglars.
Because of this, you want to find a locksmith that offers quality service. These top tips will help you find just that:
- Keep the average prices for lockout services in mind to ensure you are getting a fair price
- Always hire a locksmith who has the proper licenses and insurance for their work
- Make sure you hire a locksmith that offers all of the services you need
- Share as much information as you can with the call agent to get an accurate estimate for the work
- Look for locksmiths that offer fast response times and work locally
- Check out online reviews of locksmiths on independent websites before calling them
This will ensure that you find a locksmith who provides all of the help you need and can get you back into your home at a fair price.
Additional Lockout Services in Houston
Locksmiths don’t just help people get back into their homes in Houston. In fact, they offer a whole range of lockout services to help you when you’re in a fix.
Here are some of the other lockout services that locksmiths in Houston offer.
The Cost of a Car Lockout Service in Houston
Locksmiths can help you get into your car, truck, or motorcycle if you have lost your keys. Car lockout service prices start from $30.
Most vehicles have complicated locking systems, so getting new keys or changing the locks on your car can be expensive. For example, the cost of:
- A new vehicle key starts from $90
- A copy of an existing key starts from $59
- Lock or ignition changes start from $120
- A programming transponder key starts from $60
- Ignition key extraction starts from $70
While these services can be expensive, they will secure your vehicle and ensure that your auto insurance policy is valid.
The Cost of Office Lockout Services
Getting locked out of your office can cause serious issues. Fortunately, an emergency locksmith will be able to get you back into it in no time. So you can resume business as quickly as possible.
Lockout services for offices start from $30.
Before you get the locks changed on your business, you will need approval from company managers and business owners. If you get the locks changed, you will also need to make sure that every employee has a copy of the new keys.
Get Help From a Home Lockout Service in Houston Today
As you can see, the cost of a home lockout service in Houston depends a lot on the type of lock you have and the services you need.
Calling during office hours will save you money, but emergency locksmiths are on hand to help you throughout the year. So no matter when you need assistance, they will be available!
Are you locked out of your home? Then get in touch with Houston Locksmith Pros today. We’re happy to help!