Raising the level of security of your premises is one of the best things you can do for keeping your home and family safe. Let’s face it, a quick and easy way to keep your property secure is by getting it re-keyed. But getting it done isn’t as simple as it used to be. The locks that are used these days offer more security, but they’re also more complicated. The newest locks feature advanced types of mechanical and technological systems that are frequently too sophisticated for an ordinary lock picker to crack.
This is where residential locksmith services come in handy. These types of locksmiths are kind of like doctors, the reason being that at one point or another, you will certainly need one, even if you feel just fine today. That’s why it makes perfect sense to know a few things about residential locksmiths before hiring one. Things like where to find them, how much does they cost, what are the factors that affect their pricing, and how to negotiate with them for a better price.
In this blog post, we’ll talk about the certain factors that influence the cost of residential locksmith services.
The cost depends upon the following factors:
1. The level of service the company offers
Whether it’s about opening a locked door, creating a duplicate key, replacing a defective lock or installing a surveillance system, you must keep in mind that the cost you incur depend primarily on the type of service you request for.
You can’t expect to pay the same price for each service, just like you wouldn’t expect to pay the same amount to replace your carpet or to paint your living room. A residential locksmith will not charge you the same amount for replacing all your door locks and installing a high-security system in your mansion. In short, the most important factor that influences the cost is the level of service you require.
2. The availability of the service provider
The cost of residential locksmith services varies depending on the availability and location of the service provider. Where some companies provide 24 hours residential locksmith services throughout the year, others have emergency mobile workshops to reach out to people caught in emergencies.
If you call a locksmith to schedule work during normal business hours of the day, then you’ll certainly be charged less as compared to getting emergency service in the middle of the night. Where a simple lock repair during regular office hours could cost you around $90 in the US, the cost of the similar job could go up to $120 during non-office hours. That’s why it’s always important to consider the time factor prior to calling a locksmith. Dates also matter.
3. The complexity of the job
The brand, quality, and complexity of a lock or security system will influence the cost of residential locksmith services. If I’m going through and looking at an antique Baldwin lock, it’s almost certainly going to be more expensive than your average modern Kwikset. The more difficult a lock is to operate, the higher the cost of service. Where some locks may be very easy to operate and pick, others can be overwhelmingly challenging. For instance, bored cylinder and tubular chassis locks are quite affordable as they are quite easy to pick. On the flip side, sidebar and deadbolt locks are more difficult to operate and pick, which makes them more expensive than common locks. Similarly, repairing master key systems and biometric locks is a challenge, as they need a secure pin or finger print to open.
A licensed residential locksmith can assist you in choosing the best type of lock for your home, at a price that hopefully won’t pinch your pocket too much. But first, you need to be aware of the locksmith costs in your area, as this can protect you from falling victim to unfair practices of fraudulent locksmiths.
To learn more about the factors that influence the cost of residential locksmith services, just give us a call at (909) 942-0282 or drop us a line at support@katzslockandkeys.com
