What Should I Ask a Locksmith Before Hiring?

Homeowners, renters, and business owners in Lake Mary use these questions to avoid locksmith scams, which the FTC has flagged as a common source of overcharging and fraudulent billing. Working with a licensed local locksmith from the start removes most of this risk.

Questions to Ask a Locksmith Before Hiring

The table below lists the 7 essential questions, organized by what each one verifies.

Are You Licensed and Insured?

A licensed and insured locksmith holds a valid state or municipal locksmith license and carries liability insurance for property damage. Licensing requirements vary by state; 15 U.S. states require a locksmith license, including Texas, California, and New Jersey, while others require none. Liability insurance covers damage to doors, frames, or locks during service. Ask the locksmith to provide a license number, if the state requires one, and verify it through the state’s licensing board website. Read more on why licensing matters when choosing a locksmith.

What Experience Do You Have With My Lock or Problem?

Relevant experience means the locksmith has handled the specific lock brand, lock type, or problem before, such as smart locks, high-security deadbolts, or automotive transponder keys. Ask how many similar jobs the locksmith completed in the past 12 months. Specialized locks, including Medeco, Mul-T-Lock, and Abloy systems, require training beyond standard residential lock work. Request certifications from manufacturer training programs or organizations like the Associated Locksmiths of America (ALOA), if the lock is high-security or electronic.

How Much Will the Locksmith Service Cost?

Locksmith service costs range from $50 to $200 for standard residential lockouts, based on 2024–2025 industry pricing data from HomeAdvisor and Angi. The total cost includes 3 components: a service-call fee, labor charges, and parts or replacement hardware. Ask for the full price before work starts, not after the technician arrives. For a full locksmith cost breakdown by service type, see our pricing guide.

Are There Any Additional or Hidden Fees?

Hidden fees commonly attach to 4 situations: emergency calls, after-hours service, long-distance travel, and non-standard lock types. Emergency and after-hours locksmith calls often carry a surcharge of $25 to $75 above the standard rate. Ask the locksmith to itemize every possible fee before confirming the appointment. A locksmith who refuses to disclose fees upfront signals a pricing risk.

Can You Provide a Written Estimate?

A written or itemized estimate lists the service-call fee, labor rate, parts cost, and any surcharges as separate line items. Itemized pricing prevents the bait-and-switch tactic, in which a locksmith quotes a low price on the phone and raises it after arriving on-site. Request the estimate in text, email, or a printed invoice before authorizing work, if the job costs more than a basic lockout.

Who Will Actually Perform the Work?

The technician performing the work should carry photo identification and arrive in a vehicle marked with the company name. Ask whether the technician is a direct employee or a subcontractor, since subcontracted technicians sometimes operate under different business names or licenses. A mismatch between the booked company and the arriving technician is a documented indicator of locksmith fraud, according to Better Business Bureau scam reports.

How Do I Know the Locksmith Is Reputable?

A reputable locksmith has a verifiable business address, a consistent phone number linked to reviews across multiple platforms, and a business history of 2 years or more. Check reviews on Google, Yelp, and the Better Business Bureau, and compare the phone number listed against the number used for the actual appointment. See why Lake Mary homeowners and businesses trust The Lake Mary Locksmith for an example of a verifiable local track record. We publish our licensing and insurance details so you can verify us the same way.

Can You Handle My Specific Locksmith Service?

Confirming service scope means verifying the locksmith has the tools and skill for the exact job, such as residential rekeying, automotive key programming, or commercial master-key systems. Ask directly whether the locksmith services the lock brand and lock type involved. Explore the full range of residential locksmith services in Lake Mary to compare against what a locksmith offers.

How Quickly Can You Arrive?

Standard residential locksmiths typically arrive within 30 to 60 minutes for local emergency calls, based on average industry response times. Ask for a specific arrival window, not a vague estimate, and confirm whether 24/7 emergency service carries an added fee.

Do You Warranty Your Work?

A locksmith warranty typically covers labor for 30 to 90 days and parts for up to 1 year, depending on the company and the hardware installed. Ask what the warranty covers, specifically, including whether it applies to labor only, parts only, or both. Request the warranty terms in writing, since verbal guarantees are difficult to enforce after payment.

How Can I Avoid Locksmith Scams?

Avoid locksmith scams by following a 6-step process. Each step verifies a separate point of failure: identity, credentials, and price.

What Should I Confirm Before Work Starts?

Confirm 6 items before authorizing any locksmith work: the technician’s identity, the exact scope of the job, the total price, all applicable fees, the parts to be used, and the warranty terms. Restating these 6 items back to the technician creates a clear record if a dispute arises later.

How Do I Choose the Right Locksmith?

Choose a locksmith based on 4 combined factors: verified licensing and insurance, relevant experience with the specific lock, transparent pricing, and a documented reputation, rather than price alone. The lowest quoted price often signals a bait-and-switch risk, since legitimate locksmiths price jobs based on actual parts and labor, not a flat teaser rate.

Quick Questions to Ask a Locksmith

Use this checklist when calling or meeting a locksmith: