There are more than 743,000 homes across Manhattan. Your home can provide safety, security, and comfort to you and your loved ones. However, this only happens if you have access to it.
If your locks break or you lose your keys, you may suddenly find yourself unable to get into your home. This can be an incredibly stressful time but don’t worry, you are not alone. In fact, 2 million people in the US get locked out of their homes every year.
Fortunately, help is at hand. A professional lockout service can help you get back into your property as quickly as possible. So how much do these services cost?
If you are locked out of your home in Manhattan, read on to find out everything you need to know about the cost of using a lockout service.
What Does a Lockout Company Do?
Locksmith companies offer a whole range of services, from fitting new locks to copying keys to helping you access your property.
A lockout service can help you get into your home, business, or car if you have lost your keys or left them inside. They have special tools that can open locks without damaging doors or the existing locks on your property.
So you can get back into your home quickly and easily, without causing expensive damage.
Benefits of Lockout Services
If you urgently need to get into your home then calling a lockout service isn’t your only option.
You could gain entry to your property by force. However, doing this can cause serious damage to your doors or windows. While this might help you get into your home, it means it will no longer be secure.
This doesn’t just leave you and your property vulnerable until you can get repairs done. It can also invalidate your home insurance policy if anyone breaks into your home.
Professional locksmiths have the licenses and tools to get into your home without compromising its security.
As well as letting you into your home, they can repair or replace your locks to give you peace of mind once you’re in. Or, if your keys have been stolen, they can replace your locks then and there so no one else can gain access to the property.
Getting professional help can be especially important if you have invested in expensive locks. The last thing you want to do is damage them beyond repair while trying to get into your home.
The majority of lockout services also have insurance coverage for their work. So if they do damage your property while letting you in, the cost of these repairs won’t come out of your pocket.
Perhaps most importantly, most locksmiths offer emergency call-out services. This means that they will get you back into your property as quickly as possible.
How Much Does a Home Lockout Service Cost?
If you are locked out of your home then you are going to need help from a professional locksmith.
However, it is important to understand how much a lockout service costs before you hire a locksmith. This will ensure that you get a good deal on the work you need.
The overall cost of lockout services will include a service call fee, a labor fee, and the cost of any hardware needed. Most locksmiths will quote you an estimate for the work when you first contact them. This is can change if your locks are particularly complicated or need additional work.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the costs associated with lockout services.
Lockout Services For Houses and Apartments
Locksmiths provide lockout services for internal and external doors on your property. So you can use these to get into your front door or unlock bedroom and bathroom doors, as well as windows in your home.
The cost of this in Manhattan is usually between $30 and $200. This includes their travel time, insurance, labor, and overhead costs.
Additional Domestic Lockout Services
Locksmiths can also help you with smaller lockout issues within your home. This includes unlocking mailboxes, cabinets, safes, and toolboxes.
The cost for these services usually starts at around $30. However, unlocking a safe is much more complicated than unlocking a cabinet or mailbox. So if you need help with this, it will cost you upwards of $200.
Cost of Replacing a Household Lock
As we have already mentioned, in some cases, getting back into your home is only part of the problem. If someone has stolen your keys then they can use these to get into your property. So this can leave you feeling very vulnerable, especially in a city where more than 10,000 burglaries take place every year.
Because of this, most locksmiths will recommend changing the locks on your home to make it secure.
This involves removing the old lock from your doorframe and fitting a brand-new mechanism.
Depending on which kind of lock you want to fit, this can cost between $40 and $200. If you want to replace electronic locks then this will be much more expensive. Installing or replacing electronic locks can cost up to $500.
Cost of Rekeying a Lock
If your keys have been lost or stolen, you may not have to replace the entire lock. You can also get it rekeyed.
This process involves changing the cylinders within your lock mechanism so that your old keys will no longer open it. This can be a good option if you have a complicated lock that would be expensive to replace.
Most locksmiths charge around $15 per cylinder. Depending on the type of lock you have, rekeying can cost between $19 and $200.
Service Call Fees
Some locksmiths also charge a small service fee for receiving calls, especially for emergency calls. This covers their office and phone-answering costs.
Most service calls cost around $29, no matter how long you stay on the phone. To make the most of this, make sure you have as much information about your lock as possible before you call. This will save you from having to call back the locksmith more than once.
What Affects the Cost of Lockout Services?
As you may have noticed, the price of lockout services in Manhattan can vary. Some customers will pay around $30, while others will receive a bill for $200.
This is because a number of factors affect how much you pay. Here are some of the key things that will affect how much you pay for your lockout service.
The Type of Lock You Need Help With
There are several different types of locks that you can use on residential properties. This includes:
- Five-level mortice deadlocks
- Rim automatic deadlatches
- Key-operated multi-point locking systems
- Euro cylinder locks
- Smart locks and electronic locks
- Cam locks
Deadbolt door locks are the most secure types of locks around and these are often used for external doors.
Having a complex lock on your home makes it more secure. However, this also means that it is more difficult to unlock if you have lost your keys. Because of this, lockout services for complex locks may be more expensive.
If you need lockout service because your key has broken off in the lock or is in the other side of the door this will also be more expensive. The locksmith may try to access your home through a different door or window. If they are unable to do this, then they may have to remove the lock completely to access your home.
The Service You Want to Use
You may need to use additional locksmith services to secure your home after getting access to it. This might involve rekeying or replacing the locks. This will make your bill significantly more expensive.
Whether or Not You Need Emergency Assistance From a Locksmith
Most locksmiths offer 24/7 lockout service support so if you need to get into your home urgently then you can. These locksmiths will be with you in a matter of hours so you can get back into your home as quickly as possible.
However, calling an emergency locksmith will also cost you more. Most locksmiths charge $30 to $200 per hour for a standard callout.
For an emergency callout, they will charge between $59 and $150 per hour. They may also add a surge charge depending on when you need assistance.
When You Call a Lockout Service
Calling a locksmith during peak working hours may mean that you have to wait longer for assistance. However, this can save you money.
So it is worth exploring your options before you call a locksmith. If, for example, you have left your keys inside your home and have somewhere else to go, this could save you money. Of course, you should only do this if you know that your property will be secure in the meantime.
Most locksmiths apply a surge charge to callouts outside of peak times. This includes callouts during the nights, weekends, or national holidays. Most locksmiths will charge an extra $150 to $250 for off-peak work.
Which Locksmith Company You Choose
Of course, the locksmith company that you choose will also affect how much you pay. For example, some services deliver high-quality, fast assistance but may be more expensive than others.
The best lockout services offer quality at a fair price. So their rates should be in line with the figures we have mentioned in this article.
If someone tries to charge you way above these figures then they could be taking advantage of you. Equally, if someone offers you a rate that sounds too good to be true it may be a scam. In that case, you should look elsewhere.
How Close You Are to a Locksmith
Locksmiths will charge you for the cost of their parts and their labor. So the longer your job takes, the most expensive it will be. This is why rekeying and replacing expensive locks can be much more expensive.
However, some locksmiths will also charge you for their travel time to the job so make sure you ask about this before hiring them. This can make hiring a local locksmith much cheaper than hiring someone from the other side of town.
Whether or Not You Qualify For Any Discounts
Some locksmiths in Manhattan offer discounts to certain people. This can include:
- Discounts for people over the age of 65
- Student discounts
- Discounts for members of the military or veterans
If you think you might be eligible for a discount, ask about this when you first speak to your locksmith. They will also expect you to provide proof of your eligibility. So make sure you have this before banking on a discount.
At Manhattan Locksmith Pros, we also offer discounts to anyone who has been the victim of crime. For example, if someone has robbed your keys then we will offer you a discounted rate for your lockout service and new locks.
Tips For Finding a Great Locksmith Near You
If you have been locked out of your home then it is important to get support as soon as possible. In that case, you should keep these top tips in mind to find a quality locksmith in Manhattan:
- Look for a locksmith that offers all of the services you need
- Provide as much information as possible during your phone consultation
- Find a locksmith with a fast response time who works near you
- Check out online reviews before hiring a locksmith
This will ensure that you find a locksmith who can provide the services you need and will fulfill their promises.
Get Professional Help With Your Locks Today
As you can see, a lockout service can cost anything between $50 and $500 in Manhattan. This largely depends on the type of locks you have and how urgently you need assistance.
However, it is worth investing in a quality service. Professional locksmiths will help you get back into your home quickly and without damaging your doors or windows. They’ll also ensure that your home is secure before they leave so what are you waiting for?
If you have been locked out of your home in Manhattan there’s no need to start Googling “locksmith near me”! Get in touch with Manhattan Locksmith Pros for help getting back into your home now.