How Much Does a Locksmith Cost in Canada?
Comprehensive Guide With Rates for Specific Services and Tips on Getting the Best Price (Updated 2025)
Most of us have experienced that sudden moment of despair as the front door clicks shut, leaving us keyless and quite hopeless outside our home. Or we come home after a long day and desperately grovel through our handbag or pockets, seeking the key that denies us the comforts of home.
The experience of losing a key can range from mildly irritating to a serious security risk, requiring the immediate attention of a locksmith to resolve the situation.
So, how much will it cost to have a locksmith come out to rescue you from your predicament? The average flat rate call-out fee in Canada is around $50 to $100, but several factors significantly impact the price you will be charged, which we’ll cover in detail here.
If you are locked out of your home you will have to pay an emergency locksmith cost, which runs between $100 and $250, depending on:
Distance – Travel distance for the locksmith to get to you.
Time – After hours, late at night or on holidays raises the price.
Difficulty – The complexity of the lock and the time it takes to open it.
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A skilled locksmith will be able to open a door lock without damaging it. However, if you have lost the key for the door, it may be a good idea to have the lock replaced or to have the locksmith rekey the lock.
The chart below shows how much the call out rate can vary from city to city, as locksmiths in Toronto and Vancouver can charge more than double what they charge in Montreal.
The Different Services Offered by Locksmiths
Locksmiths aren’t only on call for those alarming times when you are without your keys and cannot access your home. They also provide a duplicate key service, and it’s always helpful to have a spare key made to avoid the costs of a locksmith callout. Do keep the spare key in a safe place (under a flowerpot at the front door is not one of them!).
Locksmiths can also provide easy-to-make spare keys for window locks, and in some stores, you can cut your own keys in the automatic key-cutting machines. As the cost of having a spare key cut is generally under $10, it pays to get a couple of spare keys cut.
Having a key break off in a lock is just as frustrating as losing your key, but locksmiths are skilled at resolving the issue. Sometimes, the repair may involve replacing the lock, and the cost can range from $85 for a window lock to $250 for a door lock replacement, depending on the sophistication of the lock.
Average Locksmith Cost in Canada for Specific Services
| Service | Cost Range (CAD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Call-out fee | $50 – $100 | Varies by distance traveled |
| Unlocking a home | $50 – $150 | Based on distance and lock complexity |
| Vehicle unlock | $50 – $120 | Depends on vehicle type and security system |
| Rekeying a lock | $40 – $90 | Extra cost for new keys |
| Replacing / installing new lock | $75 – $200 | Higher for electronic/high-security locks |
| Repairs or unlocking smart locks | $120 – $350 | Includes smartphone-connected locks |
| After-hours / holiday call-out | $80 – $250 | Premium charge outside normal hours |
Locksmiths Also Provide Specialized Services to Unlock Vehicles
As vehicle keys become increasingly sophisticated, locksmiths have supplemented their key-cutting skills with programming abilities to provide a replacement key service for vehicles operating with transponder keys.
The costs involved in replacing a vehicle key depend on the complexity of the locking or ignition system. They can range from the cheapest basic metal key, with a replacement cost of $10 to $50, to the more expensive transponder key, which can cost up to $200 to replace.
Smart keys can cost upwards of $500 to replace, and in some cases, the assistance of the vehicle manufacturer is required to create a replacement key.
Locksmiths can open keyless cars by utilizing specialized programming tools or by bypassing the car’s security system. In both cases, it requires specialized expertise and tooling.
You can save a significant amount of money by ensuring that the backup key, commonly referred to as the “valet key,” is stored in a safe and accessible location to assist you if the keyless car system fails.
Commercial Locksmith Services and Associated Costs
Commercial locksmiths service the business community, securing business complexes and buildings.
Security in commercial buildings is dependent on effective access control. The situation is further complicated by the fact that different employees have access to various sections of the building. Access to mailboxes, safes, filing cabinets, office doors and external doors all require keys. Keys issued to employees may go missing when an employee leaves the company. This results in locks needing to be changed or rekeyed to maintain security, which means that several duplicate keys must be cut and issued to personnel.
Wear and tear on commercial locks is significantly greater than on domestic locks, and the wearing parts of the locks may require more frequent replacement, as do the keys.
Advantages of a Master Key System
Commercial locksmiths can install a Master Key System in commercial buildings that solves the problem of employees having to be issued multiple keys to gain access to different areas. Master keys open a variety of locks with a single key. A classic example is the supervisor who has access to all the offices in the department with a single key, while the keys held by individual employees only open the doors to their specific areas of operation.
The locksmith cost to install a Master Key System depends on the complexity of the building and the levels of access required; however, cost savings are achieved due to the limited number of keys required.
Alternative Access Control Systems
Commercial locksmiths also perform the essential function of installing and maintaining access control systems that do not use keys. Facial recognition and fingerprint access control systems offer both security and ease of operation in situations where multi-party entry is essential but non-vetted personnel are excluded.
Commercial locksmiths can also introduce additional systems to ensure that only authorized personnel gain entry, such as card readers and keypad access control.
Cost of Alternative Access Control Systems
| Service | Low Cost | High Cost | Notes |
| Electronic locks | $20 | $1,000 | Price for individual locks |
| Door readers | $80 | $1,200 | |
| Keypad access | $1,000 | $2,500 | Price is per door |
| Mobile access | $2,000 | $4,500 | Price is per door; $50-$150 monthly fee may also apply |
| Biometric access | $3,500 | $10,000 | Includes facial, fingerprint, or retina scan systems |
Tips to Get the Best Price for a Locksmith Callout
Having a spare key for a door or window lock is probably the most effective way to reduce the cost of hiring a locksmith to resolve your access issues. Locksmiths will charge a premium fee if your callout requires them to work outside of their regular hours.
A late-night callout on a subzero winter’s night is going to cost you substantially more than a scheduled Tuesday afternoon callout. Cheaper still is getting some spare keys cut and storing them in a secure and convenient location, or asking a trusted friend or family member to keep one for you.
The distance the locksmith has to travel, as well as your location, will affect the price. In urban areas, you will have to pay a higher price than in rural areas. Overhead is more expensive in urban areas and that will be reflected in the call-out fee.
In some circumstances, such as a lock jamming with a stuck or broken key, there is often little option but to call a locksmith to resolve the issue. If the door isn’t denying you access to critical areas, then there is time to get a couple of quotes from local locksmiths. You may get lucky and find a locksmith who has a quiet day and is more than happy to attend to your project. Competitive quotes are always helpful and provide peace of mind, ensuring you get the best value for your money.
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