Get Quotes from Top Locksmiths in Durham, NC

Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Lock Smith or Pop a Lock in Durham

One in every sixteen Americans loses their house or car keys yearly. Durham has about 114,726 houses and over 280,000 residents, with a good number of the 8.5 million vehicles registered in North Carolina. Here is a city that requires locksmith services. With over 400 locksmiths in North Carolina, Durham residents have access to top professionals who can cut new keys, repair broken locks, retrieve locked safe combinations, reprogram car key fobs, and install security systems.

However, before you hire a locksmith in Durham, verify your locksmith is licensed or certified. Asking the following questions will help determine which locksmith is the best hand for the job:

What Do I Need to Know Before Hiring a Locksmith in Durham?

According to North Carolina General Statutes, only authorized locksmiths offer their services in Durham. Consider the following things before hiring a seasoned locksmith:

  • How much the services cost
  • History of the locksmith's performance of the necessary tasks
  • Importance of the service
  • The duration until the locksmith arrives

Auto locksmiths work differently from regular locksmiths. Auto locksmiths are concerned with the locks on cars and other vehicles, while locksmiths install locks on windows and doors of homes and businesses. If you experience the following, contact a seasoned locksmith immediately:

  • You are using a broken key.
  • Your key needs to be changed.
  • You can't get into your house, car, or both anymore.
  • There has been a break-in at your home.
  • You need to either fix or replace your lock.
  • You can't remember your lock code.
  • You must improve your security measures.

Are You Licensed as a Locksmith in Durham?

Before hiring a locksmith in Durham, ensure they have obtained a license from the North Carolina Locksmith Licensing Board (NCLLB). A licensing exam evaluates the skills of locksmiths with at least a year of experience is required to obtain this license. Before getting a license, applicants must be 18 and score 70 percent on the written test, in addition to completing the application form. New and renewed licenses are subject to a $300 license fee.

Before choosing a locksmith, check their license. The License Registry maintained by the NCLLB can be used to confirm your locksmith's license. Call the Board at (919) 838-8782 for additional details on Durham's locksmith licensing requirements.

What Rates Do You Charge for Your Locksmith Services in Durham?

Durham locksmithing services range in price from $44 to $309, depending on your needs. An appointment with a house locksmith may cost between $65 and $97. A car locksmith may charge you between $78 and $86 for their services, while a safe normally costs $62 and $86. The following factors affect the ultimate price:

  • The location of the work to be done
  • The difficulty of the task
  • The lock you have is electronic.
  • There is an emergency.
  • A busy time of year.

To find reputable locksmiths and prevent fraud, get quotes from at least three local experts. By comparing price quotations, you can get a sense of market pricing and avoid dishonest locksmiths who could take advantage of your position.

What Kind of Locksmith Services Do You Offer?

To maintain clarity throughout the procedure, clarify the requirements before selecting a Durham locksmith. The following price ranges are common for routine locksmith services in Durham:

Key duplication:
$45 - $263
House/building lockout:
$60 - $203
Door lock repair:
$50 - $165
Door lock installation:
$75 - $305
Deadbolt installation:
$63 - $285
Electronic lock installation:
$180 - $510
Smart lock installation:
$100 - $610
Key extraction:
$55 - $160
Key replacement:
$65 - $100
Rekeying house locks:
$65 - $150
Safe opening:
$120 - $423
Changing locks:
$140 - $525
Filing cabinet lock replacement:
$35 - $65
Mailbox key replacement:
$49 - $70
Auto locksmith services:
$45 - $345
Emergency services (in addition to regular charges):
$99 - $270

Before signing any contracts, confirm the prospective locksmith's experience and area of specialization. You should also agree on the anticipated cost of the necessary services. When the work is done, it is easier to avoid misunderstandings and arguments.

Do You Provide Auto Locksmith Services in Durham?

Many lock-related problems can usually be fixed, but more prompt action is necessary than in other circumstances.

  • Key fob setup
  • Lock replacement or repair
  • Recovery of damaged keys
  • Repair of car door locks
  • Repair of ignition
  • Replacement of door actuator
  • Replacement or duplication of keys
  • Trunk reopening

Ensure the auto locksmith company you select has qualified, experienced, and suitably equipped motorcycle locksmiths on staff when managing motorcycle-related concerns. Even if you still have the original key, motorbike keys have unique coding systems that require specialized equipment to cut new keys.

The prices shown below reflect the most in-demand automotive locksmith services in Durham. However, ensure the motorbike or car locksmith you choose has much experience working with the precise make and model of your vehicle.

Key duplication:
$15 - $67
Rekeying:
$40 - $120
Car lockout:
$84 - $140
Key extraction:
$55 - $200
Door lock repair:
$55 - $150
Car ignition repair:
$150 - $340
Changing locks:
$55 - $175
Transponder key reprogramming:
$55 - $207
Keyless fob replacement:
$150 - $300
Key replacement:
$75 - $269
Bike lock change:
$70 - $135
Motorcycle key replacement:
$80 - $120
Car door and trunk lock repair:
$50 - $255
Motorcycle seat lock repair/replacement:
$10 - $45
Motorcycle steering/wheel lock repair/replacement:
$20 - $55
Motorcycle gas cap lock repair/replacement:
$10 - $35
Mobile services (in addition to regular charges):
$100 - $250

Do You Provide Emergency or 24-hour Locksmith Services?

While most lock-related issues may be resolved, some circumstances call for a quicker reaction than others, such as:

  • You cannot find your car keys anywhere
  • The safe's passcode is something you can't remember.
  • You think there has been an intrusion.
  • Your key fob is missing.

It is important to have a reliable locksmith who can respond quickly to an emergency. Remember, extra fees usually apply to emergency locksmith services. In these cases, mobile locksmiths are a fantastic choice to consider. These locksmiths list the advantages of mobile workshops as follows:

  • More accessibility to far-off places
  • Increasing responsiveness
  • Towing costs for auto emergencies are frequently little or nonexistent.

Consider signing up with companies like KeyMe and MinuteKey, which offer self-service locksmith services to replicate digital keys. It's important to know the risks, which include data breaches and a lack of self-service kiosks for speedy key duplication.

Avoid lockouts and other locksmith-related issues by taking the following actions:

  • Extra keys
  • Make use of smart locks and lockboxes.
  • Keep the phone numbers of two or more trustworthy local locksmiths on hand.

Do You Conduct Background Checks on Your Employees?

Professionals installing locks have access to your personal space and are responsible for keeping you safe and secure, whether they are doing it in your house or your car. Dishonest locksmiths might disclose your security details, putting you in danger. A complete background check must be performed by your locksmith, focusing on any criminal record. Along with criminal background checks, respectable Durham locksmith businesses frequently conduct the following background checks on their employees:

  • Civil record checks
  • Credit checks
  • Driving record checks
  • Random drug testing
  • Verifications of previous employment

Before you let any locksmith into your home, ensure the locksmithing business carefully examines each application. Find out their names before giving these locksmiths access to your house and properties, Additionally, request identity documents and check their accuracy with the company that issued them.

Do You Offer Any Warranties on Your Locksmith Services?

It is crucial to have warranties that freshly installed, improved, or repaired locks will function as intended. This is what warranty protection offers. To avoid dissatisfaction, always request a warranty when choosing a locksmith in Durham. Professional locksmiths in Durham provide two different warranties:

  • A manufacturer's warranty typically lasts around a year and covers any flaws and problems with the locks.
  • A warranty covering any defects or mistakes in the quality of the locksmith's work

Depending on the product and locksmith, these warranties are subject to several restrictions and limitations. Get a written copy of your warranty to check the terms and conditions. Locksmith warranties frequently exclude damage caused by:

  • Incorrect lock installation,
  • Abuse or vandalism
  • Unauthorized manufacturer repairs
  • Natural disasters

How Do I Resolve Any Issue I Have with a Locksmith's Services in Durham?

Any Durham locksmith who uses the dubious methods detailed below should be avoided:

  • Before beginning the endeavor, ask for a large sum of money.
  • Use dubious websites, or simply vanish from the internet.
  • Use inferior materials and charge for better ones
  • Utilize obtrusive sales tactics

You can report dishonest locksmiths and discuss other issues you might be having with your Durham locksmith services by contacting the Attorney General's Office of North Carolina online or by phone at (877)-566-7226.

Additionally, the North Carolina Locksmith Licensing Board welcomes email complaints concerning these problems.