Before calling a locksmith, most people have the same questions: How much will it cost? How long will it take? Can I trust this person in my home? We have answered the most common questions below — honestly, the way Jim has been answering them over the phone for 50 years.
Residential service starts at $200. Commercial service starts at $225 with an average around $450. Lockouts are $175. We always provide an honest estimate over the phone before scheduling — no surprises when we arrive. Call (513) 257-0489 for a free estimate.
Lockout service is $175 for residential and vehicle lockouts. We provide the price over the phone before we schedule, so you know exactly what to expect.
A cash discount is available upon request. We do not advertise discounted pricing because we believe in honest, upfront pricing rather than quoting low and raising the price at the door — which is a common tactic among scam locksmiths in our area.
Bait-and-switch pricing is one of the most common scams in the locksmith industry. A locksmith quotes a very low price over the phone to get in the door, then increases the price — sometimes four times the original quote — once they have your lock apart. Locksmith Doctor Company gives honest estimates over the phone. If the price changes, we tell you why before we do the work.
After a phone call to review your situation, we schedule a mutually agreed time if we feel we can help. Jim has 50 years of experience — he knows not only what he does, but what he cannot do. If he cannot help you, he will refer you to another reputable locksmith. When he arrives (on time 90% of the time), he introduces himself, gets to work, and does not leave until the job is done correctly.
A standard residential rekey for three to five locks typically takes 30 to 60 minutes. Commercial jobs with multiple locks take longer depending on the number of cylinders. Jim will give you a time estimate over the phone before scheduling.
Yes. Two keys are provided with every rekey. Additional keys are $5 each.
Rekeying changes the internal pins of the lock cylinder so that a new key operates it and the old key no longer works. The hardware stays the same. Replacing a lock removes the entire hardware and installs new hardware. Rekeying is faster and more affordable — we recommend it in most situations. We recommend replacement when the hardware is worn, damaged, or you want to upgrade to a higher-security lock. We will tell you honestly which option makes sense.
Before rekeying multiple locks to the same key, the key must physically fit into each cylinder — not necessarily operate it, just fit into the hole. We call this “passing” the cylinder. If the same key does not pass all cylinders, we can change the hardware so all locks can be keyed to the same key. This is something Jim explains to every customer before starting the job.
In most cases, yes. If your locks are compatible, we can rekey them to a single key. If they are not compatible, we can replace the hardware to make them compatible. Watch the video below for a real customer example.
Ohio does not require locksmiths to be licensed — which is one reason scam locksmiths are so prevalent. Locksmith Doctor Company is fully bonded and insured for your protection. Jim Lang has been a professional locksmith since 1976 with over 50 years of verified experience and has trained over 25 locksmiths throughout his career.
Be aware of bait-and-switch tactics — locksmiths who quote very low prices and then dramatically increase them once they arrive. Ask for a complete price estimate over the phone before scheduling. Ask how long they have been in business and whether they are bonded and insured. A legitimate locksmith will answer all of these questions before you book. Watch the video below for more guidance.
We serve West Chester Township, Liberty Township, Mason, Montgomery, Fairfield, Monroe, Blue Ash, Sharonville, Wyoming, Lebanon, Southwest Ohio and the Tri-state Area. Call (513) 257-0489 to confirm service to your specific location.
