What Is Proper Pricing For Rekeying Services?
Are you thinking of rekeying your locks? Are you looking for a local locksmith who can come to your house to do the rekeying? Do you know how much this is going to cost you? Well, the truth is that the cost you are going to incur depends on factors such as size and experience of the company and where you are located. However, there is usually a base fee which most locksmiths will charge you to cater for typically standard rekeying services regardless of where you are located. So if you are wondering on the cost you are going to pay to have your locks rekeyed, have a look at these aspects.
Resources:
www.greshamlocksmith.org
Kwikset.com
Service call
Most locksmiths, both companies and independent ones will charge you a service call fee regardless of where you are located or the type of service you are seeking to get. Mostly, the rate for service call ranges between 40-100 dollars. This rate covers the cost of having a locksmith visit your home, inspecting and assessing the work to be done, plus a base rate for their service.
Be careful to note any locksmith who just gives you a random figure over the phone without charging you a service fee. It is a red flag and such kinds can be rip offs who want to charge hidden charges. Try your level best to avoid sealing a deal with such people at all costs. They will not quote a service call fee over the phone, but when they come to access the task, they charge you some insane excessive rate. It is therefore advisable that you pay for service call first, instead of struggling to pay an insane figure when the locksmith finally comes home.
Lock cylinder rate
For each lock cylinder you want rekeyed, the locksmith with charge you a figure between 5 and 35 dollars, on top of the service call fee. This is the standard lock cylinder rate for most companies, whether you want the rekeying on one or many doors. So, the question is what determines the exact rate to charge? One thing that has to be taken into account is the base figure in the locksmith’s mind. Additionally, material’s costs, locksmith payment rates, time required to rekey the lock and other similar variables are considered in coming up with a lock cylinder rate. Ensure that when you call a locksmith, they give you both these figures (service call fee and lock cylinder fee). Anyone not willing to give you these two figures and gives you a straightforward figure is discouraged. Call another company as this locksmith may end up inflating this figure when they are done with rekeying your locks. Trust you me, this will be late for you start complaining about their integrity.
Additional factors
When you call locksmiths, don’t expect all of them to charge $50 flat for service call fee and $10 flat for each lock cylinder. This rate varies with the locksmith and the local averages charged by locksmiths in that specific area. In addition to the service call fee and lock cylinder fee, other variables that determine locksmith charges include:
- Location where you need the service. For example, in a big city like LA, you are more likely going to pay more as compared to somebody in a smaller rural city.
- Company’s reputation
- Competitor rates
- The cost of parts used in rendering the service.
- The kind of lock to be rekeyed. For example, if yours is an older lock, you may pay more as there is a lot of work needed and also more expensive parts may be used.
- Whether it is a commercial or residential job.
- The type of the company. Is it a big or small one? Is it a private or an independent locksmith?
Once these few factors have been taken into account, the figures are added to the base rate charged for service call and lock cylinder to be rekeyed. It is therefore important that you inquire from the locksmith about all these additional factors and how much they will affect the total cost before hiring them.
Be keen to observe any suspiciously low or high quotes as this is a locksmith who does not have your best interest at heart. Call more locksmiths for quotes instead of tying yourself to this one. Avoid those companies who just mention a random figure without accounting for both service call and lock cylinder, they may inflate the figure later. Despite the fact that prices fluctuate, a locksmith should be able to quote these basic rates when asked, for you to make an informed decision on the right locksmith to hire.
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