Emergency Locksmith Cost: What 24-Hour Calls Actually Cost (2026)
After-hours locksmiths charge $25–$75 extra on top of regular rates. A lockout that costs $130 at noon may cost $155–$205 at 2am. Here's what's fair — and what isn't.
Emergency Surcharge
$25–$75
After-Hours House Lockout
$130–$240
After-Hours Car Lockout
$80–$185
Weekend Rate Premium
+20–50%
Emergency Locksmith Prices: Day vs Night vs Weekend
The table below shows how prices escalate outside of standard business hours. These are total prices including service call fee and labour.
What Actually Counts as an Emergency Call?
The definition varies by locksmith, but typically emergency rates apply to any call outside standard business hours — not just genuinely urgent situations. Here's how it typically breaks down:
Monday–Friday, 8am–6pmStandard rates
Monday–Friday, 6pm–10pmAfter-hours surcharge ($25–$50)
Monday–Friday, 10pm–8amNight surcharge ($40–$75)
SaturdaysWeekend rates ($25–$60 extra)
Sundays & holidaysPremium rates ($40–$75 extra)
🚨 Emergency Lockout Scams: What to Watch For
Emergency lockout situations are a prime target for scam operations because you're stressed, it's dark, and you need help urgently. The most common tactics:
🔴 The $15 bait quote
Advertise $15–$35 online (often in Google Ads) then claim the lock is 'high-security' or 'damaged' on arrival and charge $300–$500. Walk away if the price bears no resemblance to what was quoted.
🔴 The fake emergency surcharge
Some operators claim a non-existent emergency surcharge on top of an already inflated price. The legitimate surcharge is $25–$75 — not $150 or $200.
🔴 The 'must drill' claim
Claiming drilling is the only option to justify charging $200+ for a job that takes a real locksmith 5 minutes to pick. A legitimate locksmith will attempt non-destructive entry first.
🔴 Fake local addresses
In Google Ads and directories, scam operations list addresses in your town but operate as call centres that dispatch whoever is nearby — often without training or legitimate tools. Always check the address on Google Maps.
How to Avoid Emergency Locksmith Fees
1.Keep a spare key with a trusted neighbour, family member, or in a key safe near your home. A $30 keysafe pays for itself the first time you avoid an emergency call.
2.Check your roadside assistance and home insurance policies. AAA, most major auto insurers, and many home insurance policies include lockout coverage at no cost to you.
3.If you have a premium credit card (Visa Infinite, Amex Platinum, etc.), check for roadside assistance benefits — many cards include it.
4.Download your insurance provider's emergency number now, before you need it — searching for it at midnight adds stress and delays.
5.If you can wait until business hours, a morning call will always be $25–$75 cheaper than a midnight call for the same job.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an emergency locksmith cost?
An emergency locksmith call (after hours, weekends, or holidays) typically costs $25–$75 more than the standard daytime rate for the same service. A house lockout that costs $89–$163 during business hours will run $130–$240 at midnight on a weekend. Always confirm the after-hours total price before the locksmith comes out.
What is a 24-hour locksmith?
A 24-hour locksmith is available any time of day or night, including nights, weekends, and holidays. Most reputable locksmiths operate 24/7 for emergency calls. The tradeoff is the emergency surcharge — $25–$75 added on top of regular rates for calls outside standard business hours (typically before 8am and after 6pm, and all day on weekends).
How much extra does a locksmith charge after hours?
After-hours surcharges typically run $25–$75. Some locksmiths charge a flat after-hours fee; others increase their hourly rate by 20–50% for evening and overnight calls. Weekend and holiday rates may be even higher. Always ask specifically: 'What is your total price for this job at this time of day?' rather than just the base rate.
What counts as an emergency call for a locksmith?
Most locksmiths define emergency calls as: any call placed outside standard business hours (roughly 8am–6pm Monday to Friday); calls requiring a response time under 30 minutes; calls on weekends or public holidays; and calls where the customer is in an unsafe situation. Some locksmiths charge emergency rates for all after-hours calls regardless of urgency.
Is it normal to pay a higher rate for a locksmith at night?
Yes, after-hours surcharges are standard in the locksmith industry and most service trades. A $25–$75 surcharge on a $130–$163 lockout is within the normal range. However, bills that double or triple the quoted price on arrival are not legitimate — that is a scam tactic. If the final bill is dramatically higher than the phone quote, refuse to pay and document everything.
How can I avoid emergency locksmith fees?
Prevention is the cheapest option: keep a spare key with a trusted neighbour or a keysafe near your home. For car lockouts, check if your roadside assistance, insurance, or credit card includes lockout coverage — AAA, most major insurers, and premium credit cards often cover this at no cost. If you know you need a locksmith, scheduling during business hours is always cheaper than an emergency call.
What should I ask an emergency locksmith before they come out?
Ask four things: (1) 'What is your total price for this job right now, including all fees?' (2) 'Is there an after-hours or emergency surcharge included in that price?' (3) 'Do you accept credit cards?' (4) 'What is your estimated arrival time?' Any legitimate locksmith will answer all four clearly. If they won't commit to a total price, call someone else.
Are 24-hour locksmith ads online often scams?
Yes — the 24-hour locksmith category is one of the most scam-saturated segments of the locksmith industry. Fraudulent operations flood Google Ads with fake local addresses, quote $15–$35 by phone, then charge $250–$450 on arrival citing 'complexity.' Always check Google Maps reviews, look for a real physical business address, and search the company name plus 'scam' or 'review' before calling a locksmith you find in a paid search ad.
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