A lockout is the most time-pressured situation in which you’ll hire a locksmith — and the scenario most targeted by predatory operators. Taking two minutes to ask the right questions before booking, even in an emergency, is what separates a $150 legitimate service call from a $450 extortion dressed as a service call.

“Lockouts are where the industry has the worst reputation, and it’s deserved — because of the bad actors who exploit urgency. The fix is simple: ask for the full price before they leave their shop. A legitimate operator tells you. A scammer deflects with a low dispatch fee and explains the rest when they’re standing in your doorway with your lock drilled out.”

— Dmitri Volkov, licensed locksmith and security consultant with 18 years of experience in residential and commercial locksmith services in the local area

Questions to Ask Before Booking

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What is the total estimated cost for this lockout?

Ask this question specifically and completely:

  • What is the dispatch / service call fee?
  • What is the labor charge for a standard lockout?
  • If the lock needs to be drilled, what is the additional charge?
  • If a new lock is needed, what does that cost?
  • What is the total estimated cost for the most common scenario?

Get a range. Write it down. This number is what you hold the locksmith to when they arrive.

What is your estimated arrival time?

A legitimate local locksmith gives you a realistic arrival estimate — typically 20–45 minutes depending on location. Be skeptical of promises of 10-minute arrival from a company that doesn’t have a verified local presence.

Are you the company I called, or are you dispatched from a call center?

Some locksmith phone numbers and websites are actually call centers that dispatch independent contractors — not the local company you believe you called. Ask specifically: “Are you the business I called, or are you an independent contractor dispatched through a network?” This matters because the independent contractor may have no relationship with the business name you found online.

Questions When the Locksmith Arrives

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Can I see your business identification?

Ask to see a business card, vehicle identification, or other confirmation that the person at your door represents the business you called. If the name doesn’t match what you called, ask for an explanation before allowing work to begin.

Can you confirm the estimate before starting?

Before any work begins, ask the locksmith to confirm the total estimated cost matches what was discussed over the phone. If the number is dramatically different, ask specifically why, and what changed between the phone estimate and the on-site assessment.

Your right: You can decline to proceed if the on-site price is unacceptably higher than the estimate. The locksmith has not yet done any work — you owe nothing for the service call if they haven’t started, depending on your agreement.

What method will you use to open this lock?

A professional locksmith assesses the lock and explains the entry method before starting:

For most standard residential deadbolts (Kwikset, Schlage, Weiser): Lock picking or lock bumping should work and should be attempted first. These are non-destructive — the lock is undamaged and reusable.

For high-security locks (Medeco, Mul-T-Lock, Abloy Protec): These are designed to resist picking and bumping. They may require more advanced techniques or, in some cases, drilling. A professional will know this from looking at the lock and will explain it.

For damaged or frozen locks: A lock that’s damaged, corroded, or frozen may be more difficult to pick and may require drilling. The locksmith should explain why drilling is necessary.

Ask: “Is drilling genuinely necessary for this lock, or will you attempt to pick it first?”

If the lock must be drilled, what are the options for replacement?

If drilling is genuinely necessary, ask before the drill comes out:

  • What replacement lock will be installed?
  • What is the cost of that replacement?
  • Can I choose the replacement lock, or is it whatever the locksmith has in the van?
  • Is the replacement a quality lock, or a basic hardware store grade?

After the Job

Ask for a written receipt.

A written receipt should specify:
– The service performed
– The parts installed (with model/grade information for any new locks)
– The itemized cost (service call, labor, parts)
– The business name and contact information

If the locksmith is reluctant to provide a written receipt, this is a significant red flag for a fraudulent operation.

Test the new or rekeyed lock before the locksmith leaves.

If a lock was drilled and replaced, or if a lock was rekeyed, test it with the new key before the locksmith departs. Confirm:
– The key works from both inside and outside
– The deadbolt throws fully
– The door closes and latches properly

Raise any issues before the locksmith leaves your property.

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