What a locksmith estimate is for
Locksmiths fight a bad reputation from scammers who quote one price on the phone and charge three times more on site. A written estimate before you start, with the service call, each cylinder and the keys listed, sets you apart immediately. It also records that you checked ID, which protects you.
What to put on a locksmith estimate
- Service call and any after-hours rate.
- Each lock and what you will do to it.
- Hardware grade and brand.
- Number of keys.
- ID check for lockouts and rekeys.
- Your license number, where required.
A worked example
New homeowners want every exterior lock rekeyed to one key: front deadbolt and knob, back door deadbolt and knob, and the garage entry door.
| Line | Qty | Unit | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service call | 1 | each | Your price |
| Rekey lock cylinder | 5 | each | Your price |
| Key cutting | 4 | each | Your price |
Count cylinders, not doors. A knob and a deadbolt are two cylinders, and saying so in writing stops the price from looking like it grew.
Line items locksmiths use
| Line item | Unit | How to write it |
|---|---|---|
| Service call | each | Trip charge; after-hours rate if applicable. |
| House lockout | each | Proof of residence checked before entry. |
| Car lockout | each | Proof of ownership checked. |
| Rekey lock cylinder | each | Per cylinder; keys extra. |
| Deadbolt installed | each | Grade and brand; new bore or existing. |
| Smart lock installed | each | Customer supplied or yours; app setup. |
| Key cutting | each | Per key. |
| Car key programming | each | Transponder or fob; make and model. |
| Master key system | each | Commercial; key schedule design. |
| Commercial door closer | each | Adjust or replace. |
| Safe opening | each | Proof of ownership; method affects price. |
| Lock repair | each | Sticking or broken mechanism. |
Terms and deposit language for locksmith
- Deposit. No deposit on service calls. Master key systems and commercial hardware orders may take a deposit.
- Payment. Due on completion.
- Warranty. Hardware carries the maker's warranty; state your labor warranty on installs.
- Proof of residence or ownership is required before any lockout, safe opening or key programming.
- After-hours and emergency calls carry the rate stated before you go.
- Some states license locksmiths; your license number appears on your paperwork where required.
How to fill it in
- Put in your business details once; this browser keeps them for every template.
- Fill in the customer and the job.
- Change the line items to fit this job and add your prices.
- Set tax, the deposit and the good-until date.
- Print to PDF, download Word or CSV, or send it from Koira.
Free tools for locksmith
The same estimate for other trades: appliance repair, auto detailing, carpet cleaning, chimney, house cleaning, commercial cleaning, concrete, drywall, electrical, fence, flooring, garage door, general contractor, gutter, handyman, hvac, irrigation, junk removal, landscaping, lawn care, moving, painting, pest control, plumbing, pool service, pressure washing, remodeling, roofing, septic, snow removal, solar, tree service, waterproofing, window cleaning.