Pricing
Clear pricing before we come to you
Need to know what your key or lockout service may cost? Start with the typical ranges below. Call with your vehicle details for a quote and an explanation of any applicable fees before dispatch.
By service
Ranges reflect the spread between a simple older vehicle and a current European platform.
| Service | Typical range | Time on site |
|---|---|---|
| Car Key Replacement | $145 to $550 | 20 to 60 minutes on most vehicles |
| Key Fob Replacement & Programming | $165 to $650 | 20 to 45 minutes |
| ECM / ECU Programming | $250 to $900 | 1 to 3 hours depending on platform |
| Emergency Car Lockout | $65 to $145 | Usually under 5 minutes on site |
| Transponder Key Programming | $120 to $320 | 20 to 45 minutes |
| Smart Key & Push-to-Start Programming | $220 to $650 | 30 to 60 minutes |
| Immobilizer Programming & Repair | $180 to $700 | 1 to 2 hours |
| European Vehicle Key Specialists | $320 to $950 | 1 to 3 hours |
| Ignition Repair & Replacement | $180 to $520 | 1 to 2 hours |
| Broken Key Extraction | $85 to $220 | 15 to 45 minutes |
| Spare Key Service | $95 to $420 | 15 to 30 minutes |
| Push-to-Start System Repair | $160 to $680 | 1 to 2 hours |
| Trunk & Glovebox Lockout | $75 to $195 | 15 to 40 minutes |
| 24/7 Roadside Key Service | $95 to $260 | Response typically 30 to 60 minutes |
| Fleet & dealer accounts | Account pricing | Scheduled to your operation |
How the pricing works
- The quote you get on the phone is the total. Call-out, parts, cutting, and programming are all included.
- It does not change on arrival. If the job turns out to be genuinely different from what was described, it gets re-quoted before anything is touched and you can decline.
- Erasing previously issued keys is included, not an add-on.
- Cutting the emergency blade on a smart key is included.
- Overnight, Sunday, and holiday calls carry a surcharge. It is quoted upfront and never added at the end.
- Outlying areas cost more because of drive time. That is quoted before dispatch.
- A second key programmed in the same visit is substantially cheaper than a separate call.
- Payment is after the work is done and tested. Card, contactless, or cash.
By vehicle
Make matters almost as much as whether you still have a working key.
European
$280 to $980
Higher because the fob hardware costs more and the programming frequently needs module-level access.
Asian
$155 to $480
Well supported across the range. Note that many Toyota, Lexus, Honda and Acura systems erase all keys during programming.
Domestic
$145 to $420
Ford, GM and Stellantis platforms across trucks, SUVs and cars.
The single biggest saving available to you
Adding a spare while you still have a working key costs a fraction of generating one from nothing. On domestic vehicles it is roughly half. On European platforms it can be less than a third.
Spare, key in hand
$95 to $520
All keys lost
$220 to $950
What is out of scope
The limits on what gets quoted or taken on.
- No blind quotes. A price offered before the vehicle is known isn’t a price, it’s a lure. Year, make and model come first.
- No fob you don’t need. If your fob problem is a $4 battery or a worn button pad, that is what you will hear.
- No charge for Tesla key cards. You pair those yourself through the car’s screen in a minute. A phone call walks you through it free.
- No job taken when the dealer is the only option. A few very recent models are genuinely dealer-locked. You hear that on the phone.
Pricing questions
Why can't you give me an exact price before you see the car?
Not blind, no — but with your VIN, usually yes. Year, make, model and VIN identify the exact key type and programming path, which is enough for a firm number over the phone. A 2012 Corolla and a 2022 Range Rover are different jobs by an order of magnitude, so we need those details first.
Do you charge a call-out fee if I decide not to go ahead?
We explain the total price and any service-call or cancellation fee before dispatch. If the work differs from what was described, we explain any price change and ask for approval before proceeding.
How do you take payment?
Card, contactless, or cash, at the vehicle after the work is done and tested. No payment up front, and no deposits for standard work.
Is a locksmith really cheaper than the dealership?
For key and programming work, usually yes, and the savings are typically 30 to 50 percent before you count the tow. A vehicle with no working keys can't be driven to a dealer, so that route means a tow bill plus a service appointment that might be days out. A few cases still call for the dealer — a very recent model with programming locked to the manufacturer — and that gets flagged on the phone before you pay to find out the hard way.
Do you offer discounts for more than one key?
Yes. Programming a second key during the same visit is a lot cheaper than a separate call, because the programming session is already open. If you want two, get them together.
Car keys · Fobs · Lockouts
Get a quote for your vehicle
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