Again in 2013, Locksmith Ledger polled our subscribers to determine the average charges for specific locksmith services.
When compared to the 2011 National Average Price Survey, our updated 2013 survey shows very small increases in most common locksmithing charges. The average service call is $68, an increase of just $2 over the previous year. The average hourly rate was determined to be $45 in this year's survey, up $5 from the last price survey.
Auto opening call charges have shown the most fluctuation, most likely resulting from the ups and downs in fuel prices. This year’s average is $62, but many locksmiths report sliding price scales based on the distances they must travel. And others don’t charge a set price, but rather charge for a standard service call or use their hourly rate.
The prices for cutting keys by code range from as low as $10 for a suitcase key to as high as $68 for a foreign sidewinder key. One locksmith firm’s price structure for keys by code, fitting the first key and padlock keys was a set $22.50 plus the cost of the blank.
Our price survey is only an indicator of pricing trends and is not a scientific poll. Dollar amounts listed in this survey should not be used directly as the price you should be charging for various jobs. Other factors, such as your regional cost of living, typical distance traveled for a service call, and the charges of your local competitors, should be taken into consideration before setting your individual price schedule. A few locksmiths even report charging higher fees after hours or when they must drive long distances.
The National Average Price Survey contains many of the popular services a locksmith may perform. Check each listing and determine the percentage of difference between our average and your specific charge. If the percentage of difference is approximately the same for most items, then your charges are in line with the national average. If one of your charges is extremely low as compared to the survey results, then make a study of the amount of time it takes to do that particular job. You may be losing money without knowing it.
Conversely, if one of your charges is extremely high when compared to the national average, you could be losing jobs to the competition because of your pricing structure.
Results will also be posted on our website, www.locksmithledger.com.
2013 National Average Price Survey Results
Labor Charges
Service Call $68
Hourly Rate $50
Auto Opening Call $60
Key Duplication
American Single Cut $3.95
American Double Cut $4.50
Foreign Single Cut $4.00
Foreign Double Cut $5.25
Sidewinder Auto Key $61
Transponder Key $72
Flat Steel $5
Tubular Key $8
Bit Key $12
Safe Deposit Key $8
High Security Key $17
Best/Falcon Key $7
Key From Broken Sample $7
Re-Key Cylinder / In Shop
Key-in-knob $15
Rim / Mortise $10
Set To MK system $15
High Security $20
Pick/Shim Cyl. Open (addl) $5
Best $18
Safe Deposit $22
Tubular $15
Auto Locks / In Shop
Fit Std. US Ign Key $50
Fit GM Vats Key $78
Fit Foreign Ign Key $78
Fit Transponder Key $93
Fit Sidewinder Key $120
Rekey Door/Trunk Key $35
Fit Motorcycle Key $87
Keys By Code
American Single Cut $15
American Double Cut $20
Foreign Single Cut $15
Foreign Sidewinder $68
Suitcase $10
Tubular $25
Motorcycle $20
Fitting First Key
By Impression $35
By Reading $33
Padlocks
Combination by Code $18
Pin Tumbler by Code $13
