Our Trip Fee and How We Quote
Every job starts with a trip fee: $39 inside Escondido's city zips (92025, 92026, 92027, 92029) and $59 for Hidden Meadows, San Pasqual Valley, Del Dios and other outlying addresses. That covers the drive and the first look. The work is priced on top, from the tables below, and we tell you the total before we start. If the job turns out different from what you described on the phone, we stop and re-quote; you never find out at the invoice. Lockouts carry a $50 surcharge after 8pm and before 8:30am, and the lockout prices below already include the trip.
An example, so the math is plain. A new owner in East Valley wants the front deadbolt, front knob, back door and garage-entry door rekeyed to one key with six keys cut: that is four cylinders at $35 each, the $39 trip fee, and four extra copies beyond the two-per-door standard at the copy price. We say that total on the phone. If the garage door turns out to have a different keyway that has to be swapped, we tell you at the door and add only that lock's replacement price.
Rekeys and Lock Changes
| Job | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rekey, per cylinder | from $35 | two keys included per door; plus trip fee |
| New deadbolt installed | $110 to $175 | labor, new bore; hardware extra |
| Lock replacement, existing bore | $65 to $95 | labor per lock; hardware extra |
| Smart lock installed | $120 to $200 | labor; you supply the lock or we quote one |
Rental and Multi-Unit Rates
| Job | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Turnover rekey, volume visit | $25 to $30 | per cylinder, five or more doors on one visit |
| Master-key system planning and chart | $150 to $300 | key chart and planning, one time |
| Master-keyed cylinder | $45 to $65 | per cylinder pinned to the chart |
| Restricted-keyway cylinder | $85 to $150 | per cylinder, restricted keyway |
Lockouts
| Job | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Home lockout | $85 to $145 | trip included |
| Car lockout | $95 to $145 | trip included |
| Business lockout | $105 to $175 | trip included; authorization required |
| After-hours surcharge | from $50 | after 8pm, before 8:30am |
Car Keys and Fobs
| Job | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Basic metal key, no chip | $20 to $45 | |
| Chip key cloned from a working key | $95 to $150 | |
| Chip key programmed new | $140 to $220 | |
| Fob or remote, programmed | $150 to $260 | |
| All keys lost | $220 to $400 | proof of ownership required |
| Ignition cylinder repair or replace | $150 to $280 |
Key Copies
| Job | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard house or padlock key | $5 to $8 | $20 minimum when copies are the whole trip |
| Restricted key, with authorization | $15 to $30 | |
| High-security key | $35 to $75 | |
| Mailbox compartment lock replaced | $55 to $95 | lock and install |
Business Hardware
| Job | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Door closer adjustment | $75 to $110 | |
| Door closer replaced | $250 to $450 | installed |
| Panic bar repair | $125 to $275 | |
| Panic bar installed | $550 to $950 | device and labor |
| Storefront cylinder replaced | $110 to $195 |
Want the exact number for your door or your car? Call, or text a photo and the cross streets.
Call for an exact quote Text usWhat Makes a Job Cost More
- High-security or restricted hardware. Better cylinders cost more and take longer to pin.
- All keys lost. Generating a key from the lock or the code instead of copying one.
- Distance. The outlying trip fee for Hidden Meadows, San Pasqual Valley and the Lake Hodges side.
- After hours. The surcharge on lockouts outside posted hours. No scheduled work after hours.
- Drilling. Rare, always discussed first, and it means a replacement lock on top.
- Hardware. Locks you supply are installed at labor only; locks we supply are quoted with the part.
Pricing Questions
Why don't you advertise a $19 service call?
Because nobody rekeys a house for $19. The ads that say so usually belong to call centers that dispatch a subcontractor who then quotes $250 at the door. Our trip fee is $39 in the city and our ranges are on this page. That is the whole story.
Do you charge if you can't open it?
If we roll and cannot open the lock, you pay the trip fee only. If you cancel after we've left, the trip fee applies. If we open it, you pay the price quoted on the phone.
What payment do you take?
Cash, card and Zelle. Property accounts can be invoiced monthly.
Do landlords get invoices per property?
Yes. One invoice per property with unit numbers on each line, monthly or per visit, whichever your bookkeeper prefers. Volume per-door rates apply on visits with five or more doors.
Is a locksmith really cheaper than the dealer for an older car key?
Usually, yes. The dealer path is a tow, a parts order and programming labor; ours is one visit at the car. Text us your year, make and model and we'll quote it honestly, including when the dealer is the better option.
Ready to book? Call, text or use the booking form on the contact page.