In short:
- The price of a locksmith visit depends mainly on the call-out arrangement, the lock's type and security level, the parts needed, how many locks are involved and how long the work takes.
- Ask how the call-out works before anyone travels: what it covers, and whether it's charged if you decide not to go ahead.
- Ask for an itemised quote before work starts, showing parts, labour, call-out and the total.
- A phone price given before anyone has seen the lock can only be an estimate. If it changes on arrival, ask what's different before agreeing.
- This article contains no prices. Ask any locksmith, including us, for their own figures.
Why an exact price is hard to give over the phone
"How much will it cost?" is a fair first question, and it deserves an honest answer: until someone has seen the lock, nobody can be certain. The same symptom can have very different causes. A key that turns without unlocking the door might be a worn cylinder that's quick to swap, or a broken part inside a mortice lock that needs a new lock body. A stiff lock might need adjusting, or the door might have dropped on its hinges.
Photos help a great deal. A clear picture of the lock from both sides, and of the lock's edge, often lets a locksmith narrow the likely work and give you a sensible range before travelling. It still can't replace an assessment at the door.
The main price factors at a glance
| Factor | Why it affects the price | What you can do |
|---|---|---|
| Call-out and travel | A mobile locksmith's time and vehicle costs start when they set off, before any work is done. | Ask how the call-out is charged and what it covers before booking. |
| Time of day and the business's policy | Some businesses charge differently outside normal working hours, or only work set hours. | Ask whether timing affects the price, and whether planned work could be done in normal hours instead. |
| Lock type and security level | High-security cylinders and locks cost more to buy and can take longer to work on. | Send photos and any brand name so the right parts can be discussed. |
| Parts | Some parts are common; others must be ordered, or the lock may be discontinued. | Ask whether parts are available and whether a second visit might be needed. |
| Number of locks | Several locks take longer, though doing them in one visit may avoid repeat call-outs. | List every door you want looked at when you book. |
| Access to the door | Estate gates, building security, parking and security gates in front of the door can all add time. | Arrange access in advance and pass on the details. |
| Non-destructive or destructive entry | If a locked door can be opened without damage, there's no lock to replace. If it can't, the cost includes a replacement. | Ask to be told before anything is done that would damage the lock. |
| Repair or replace | An adjustment usually costs less than a new lock; a major repair on a worn lock may not. | Ask for both options and the reasons for the recommendation. |
| Door and frame condition | A damaged frame or a door that needs adjustment can add work, or need another trade. | Mention any damage, sticking or dropping when you call. |
Call-out charges and timing
Locksmiths handle the call-out in different ways. Some charge a separate call-out fee for every visit. Some include travel in the price of the job. Some charge the call-out only if you decide not to go ahead. None of these is wrong in itself, but you should know which applies before the locksmith travels.
Questions worth asking on the phone:
- Is there a call-out charge, and how much is it?
- What does it cover: travel only, or travel plus the assessment?
- Is it charged if I decide not to go ahead with the work?
- Does the charge change outside normal hours or on weekends and public holidays?
For Mobile Locksmith Sandton: R250 call-out fee. We work 24/7, every day of the year.
Lockouts, entry and the effect on cost
When you're locked out, the biggest cost question is whether the door can be opened without damaging the lock. Many locks can; some high-security locks, and locks that have failed inside, can't. If a lock has to be removed or damaged to open the door, the job then includes fitting a replacement, which adds parts and time.
Ask the technician to explain the options, and the cost of each, before anything destructive is done. Our emergency lockout service tries non-destructive entry first. If you're locked out because keys were lost or stolen, also budget for re-securing the affected locks afterwards.
Repair or replace: how it changes the bill
Many lock problems can be fixed without a new lock: a strike plate that needs adjusting, a dirty or worn mechanism, a broken handle spring. Those jobs are usually quicker and need fewer parts. A lock repair makes most sense when the lock is otherwise sound and parts are available.
Replacement costs more upfront but can be better value when the lock is badly worn, damaged, obsolete, or when you're unsure who holds keys. On many cylinder locks, replacing only the cylinder is a cheaper middle route. When a new lock is needed, its brand and security level are usually the biggest part of the price. Our guides on lock repair versus replacement and lock replacement explain the trade-offs.
How to ask for a quotation
A clear request gets a clearer answer. When you call or send a WhatsApp, include:
- Your suburb and street, and any gate, reception or parking arrangements.
- The type of property: house, complex, flat, estate home or office.
- What the lock is doing, in your own words.
- Photos of the lock from both sides, and of the lock's edge if you can.
- How many locks or doors you'd like looked at.
- Whether it's urgent (someone locked out, or a door that can't be secured) or can be planned.
Then ask what the price will depend on, and whether you'll get a firm quote on site before work starts.
What a clear quote should show
A useful quote lets you see what you're paying for and compare it fairly. Look for:
| Item | What it should tell you |
|---|---|
| Description of the work | Which doors, what's wrong and what will be done to each |
| Parts | Each lock, cylinder or part by brand and model, with its price |
| Labour | The labour charge, shown separately from parts |
| Call-out | Whether a call-out is included, and how much |
| VAT | Whether prices include VAT, if the business is VAT-registered |
| Total | The full amount you'll be asked to pay if the work goes ahead |
| Validity | How long the quote stands |
| Unknowns | What happens if more work is found once the lock is opened |
South Africa's Consumer Protection Act has rules for repair and maintenance work. In broad terms, under section 15, where a consumer asks for an estimate before the work, the supplier may not charge unless the consumer has authorised the work after receiving an estimate, or has waived the estimate or set a maximum in writing or another recorded form. A supplier may only charge for preparing an estimate if that charge was disclosed and agreed beforehand, and may not exceed the estimate without telling the consumer about the extra charges and getting authorisation. The regulations say an estimate should show a breakdown and total, the nature and extent of the work, and how long it's valid. This is a general summary, not legal advice.
How to avoid surprises
- Ask about the call-out before the visit, including whether it's charged if you don't go ahead.
- Ask for an itemised quote before work starts, and keep it in writing. A WhatsApp message or email is better than nothing.
- Agree a maximum if you're happy for the technician to go ahead without phoning you again.
- Ask to be told before any extra work beyond what was quoted, and before anything destructive is done.
- Ask for the old parts if you want to see what was replaced.
- Get an invoice that matches the quote and describes the work done.
Phone prices that change on arrival. A price given over the phone before anyone has seen the lock can only be a guess. Sometimes the work really does turn out to be different. But be cautious if a low phone price becomes a much higher one at the door without a clear explanation of what changed. You're entitled to ask why, to see the itemised figure, and to decline work you didn't authorise. If you're under pressure because you're locked out, ask for the revised price in writing before agreeing.
How our charges work
We don't publish a price list, because a single figure would be wrong for most jobs. Here's how it works instead:
- Call-out: R250 call-out fee.
- Quotations: The technician assesses the job on site and gives you the price before any work starts. Nothing is done until you agree.
- Payment: EFT, cash or card
We're a mobile locksmith in Sandton with no shop, and we don't cut or duplicate keys, so every price you get from us is for work at your door. If you're comparing quotes, the table above shows what to compare.
Questions
Why can't you give me an exact price on the phone?
Because the same symptom can need very different work. Photos help us give a better idea before we travel, and you'll get a firm quote after the lock has been assessed. Quotations: The technician assesses the job on site and gives you the price before any work starts. Nothing is done until you agree.
Do I pay a call-out if I decide not to go ahead?
Ask every locksmith this before they travel. For us: R250 call-out fee.
Is replacing a cylinder cheaper than replacing the whole lock?
Often, on locks designed to take a replaceable cylinder. It isn't an option on lever mortice locks, which have no separate cylinder. See mortice, cylinder and multipoint locks for the differences.
Need a locksmith to look at it?
If this hasn't solved the problem, our emergency lockouts service covers it. We're a mobile locksmith in Sandton, so we come to your door.
Sources and further reading
- Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008, section 15: Pre-authorisation of repair or maintenance services (Acts Online) — estimates, authorisation before charging, charging for estimates and exceeding an estimate
- Consumer Protection Act regulations: Threshold for pre-authorisation of repair or maintenance services (Acts Online) — an estimate must show a breakdown and total, the nature and extent of the work and the period of validity
- Private Security Industry Regulation Act 56 of 2001, section 1: Definitions (Acts Online) — performing the functions of a locksmith is included in the definition of a security service