Pricing
What a car key actually costs
Most locksmiths publish no prices. The whole point of this page is to publish real numbers, in plain language, with no asterisks. The range reflects a straightforward job at the low end and a difficult vehicle or late hours at the high end.
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Service call (waived with any work performed) You pay this only if no work is done. Once a key is cut or programmed, the service call is included. | $39–49 |
| Key fob battery replacement and test Battery swapped and the fob tested against your vehicle on the spot. | $25 Available now |
| Remote cloning and renewal An existing working key cloned, or a worn key renewed. Done on site from the key you already have. | $135–250 Available now |
| Basic metal key (spare) For vehicles with no transponder chip — most older domestic trucks and a few basic models. Cut to your vehicle; ready in 2–3 days. | $45–75 Order ahead · 2–3 days |
| Transponder key — spare, working key available Copied from a working key. The chip is cloned; cut to your vehicle and ready in 2–3 days. | $135–185 Order ahead · 2–3 days |
| Transponder key — all keys lost Not currently offered. The dealer is the path for an all-keys-lost transponder. | $225–325 Not currently offered |
| Remote head key — spare Blade plus lock/unlock buttons in one body. Cloned when a working key is present; ready in 2–3 days. | $175–250 Order ahead · 2–3 days |
| Remote head key — all keys lost Not currently offered. The dealer is the path for an all-keys-lost remote-head key. | $275–375 Not currently offered |
| Smart / proximity fob — spare Push-to-start fob added to an existing set. Programmed on site, usually in about twenty minutes. | $250–375 Available now |
| Smart / proximity fob — all keys lost The most common all-keys-lost job I do. PIN extraction and a full programming sequence, done on site. Coverage varies by vehicle; confirmed by VIN. | $375–550 Available now |
| Broken key extraction Not currently offered. The dealer is the path for a key broken in the lock. | $95–165 Not currently offered |
| Ignition repair or replacement Not currently offered. The dealer is the path for ignition repair. | $250–450 Not currently offered |
| Car lockout Not currently offered. Roadside assistance or the dealer is the path for a lockout. | $85–145 Not currently offered |
Prices in USD. Ranges are honest — the final quote is confirmed before I head out. No charge if you decline before work begins.
The price quoted on the phone is the price you pay
The price quoted on the phone is the price you pay. There is no bait-and-switch, no "the job turned out to be more complicated" upsell. If a vehicle is genuinely outside the quoted range, you are told before any work starts and the service call is not charged.
Why "all keys lost" costs more
When every key is gone the new key cannot be copied — it has to be originated. That means pairing a new fob to the immobilizer through an encrypted programming session, often after extracting a PIN. It is more time and more equipment than cloning a spare, which is why it costs more. I originate all-keys-lost for push-to-start / proximity fobs; for bladed keys the dealer is currently the path.
Why a spare made today is the cheapest key you will ever buy
A spare transponder made today runs $135–185, on an order-ahead basis. The same key, originated after you lose the last one, would cost more — and for bladed keys an all-keys-lost origin is not currently offered at all. A spare is the cheapest car key you will ever buy, and the only way to avoid the all-keys-lost rate.
Why a locksmith beats the dealer
Dealers typically run 40–100% higher on the same key. If you have no working key you also pay for a tow to the dealer and the wait for a bay. We come to the vehicle.
What could change your quote
Four things can move your quote: the make and year (some programming paths are encrypted), the key type, whether the vehicle is drivable, and the time of day. None of these are a surprise — they are discussed before I head out.
About the "$19 service call" story
Most people have heard the version where a "$19 service call" turns into a several-hundred-dollar bill once someone is on site. That is the reputation this industry carries, and it is earned. The way around it is not a badge — it is a stated policy. The service call here is $39–49, it is waived the moment any work is performed, and the full job price is confirmed on the phone before I head out. If a vehicle turns out to be outside the quoted range, you are told before any work starts and the service call is not charged.
Next step
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The price quoted on the phone is the price you pay. No bait-and-switch.