Get Quotes from Top Locksmiths in Gilbert, AZ

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

One in every 16 Americans misplaces their house or vehicle keys annually. In a thriving suburban community like Gilbert, with over 88,000 houses, 8,000 businesses, and 176,000 vehicles, locksmith services are usually in high demand. Whether replacing these lost keys, making spares, or performing other tasks like installing security locks and opening faulty safes. Over 170 locksmiths operating in and around Gilbert (and the rest of the Metro Phoenix area) have the skills and tools to provide these services.

However, before hiring a locksmith in Gilbert, ensure they are certified; this assures you professionalism and competence. We also recommend asking your intended locksmiths the following questions:

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

Whether you need the services of a Gilbert locksmith for repairing locks, installing new locks, or duplicating new keys, it is essential to verify the hired locksmith is certified. This assures you the situation will be effectively, professionally, and efficiently handled. Other factors to consider when hiring a locksmith include:

  • The location of the locksmith
  • The availability of the locksmith
  • The locksmith's rates
  • The urgency of the situation

The nature of the situation will determine whether you will engage the services of a traditional locksmith or an auto locksmith. Traditional locksmiths are competent professionals who specialize in the installation, repair, and maintenance of locks and security systems in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. Auto locksmiths are specialized locksmiths who focus on vehicles.

Are You Licensed as a Locksmith in Gilbert?

Even though there are no occupational licensing requirements for locksmithing in Gilbert, locksmiths must comply with local business registration and licensing requirements to legally conduct business within Gilbert.

In addition, many professional Gilbert locksmiths complete training and certification programs with globally renowned organizations like the American Locksmith Association of America (ALOA) and the Society of Professional Locksmiths (SOPL). Even though these certifications are not mandatory, it is in your best interest to prioritize certified locksmiths, who are more knowledgeable, competent, and professional than their non-certified counterparts.

Remember to verify any certifications your intended locksmith claims to have before finalizing hiring agreements. You can do this by requesting proof of the accreditation and contacting the appropriate certifying organization to validate this proof.

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

Locksmiths in Gilbert typically charge labor rates between $30 - $65 per hour. Nonetheless, the average cost of a locksmith in the city ranges between $50 - $300 or more, depending on factors, like:

  • Your location
  • The time of the day
  • The urgency of the situation
  • The trip fees
  • The lock type
  • The complexity of the project

It is advisable to get quotes from three locksmiths and compare their rates before deciding who to hire. This protects you from being overcharged by fraudulent locksmiths. However, do not hire a locksmith because they offer the lowest rates. Ensure they are certified and have a good reputation before settling.

What Kind of Locksmith Services Do You Offer?

Professional and reputable Gilbert locksmiths offer various services aimed at effectively and swiftly resolving lockouts and other related issues. Some of these services (and their estimated costs) include:

Key duplication:
$15 - $35
Changing locks:
$160 - $550
House/building lockout:
$55 - $210
Door lock repair:
$50 - $200
Deadbolt installation:
$90 - $350
Electronic lock installation:
$250 - $550
Key extraction:
$60 - $200
Key replacement:
$80 - $130
Mailbox key replacement:
$50 - $90
Smart lock installation:
$150 - $670
Safe opening:
$200 - $500
Rekeying house locks:
$80 - $160
Filing cabinet lock replacement:
$60 - $90
Auto locksmith services:
$30 - $400
Door lock installation:
$120 - $400
Emergency services (in addition to regular charges):
$130 - $350

Verify your prospective locksmith's area of specialization and competence and agree on the expected cost of your required services before signing off on any work. Failing to do this may lead to disputes and misunderstandings after the project is done.

Do You Provide Auto Locksmith Services in Gilbert?

Auto locksmiths are locksmithing specialists who focus on cars, motorcycles, trucks, and other kinds of vehicles. Some tasks handled by Gilbert-based auto locksmiths include:

  • Unlocking car doors
  • Key duplication
  • Key fob programming and cutting
  • Ignition repair and replacement
  • Lock repairs and replacement
  • Trunk reopening
  • Broken key extraction
  • Door actuator replacement

However, in cases involving motorcycles, confirm the auto locksmith company you contact has skilled, competent, and equipped motorcycle locksmiths on staff. This is because the coding system for motorcycle keys differs from other vehicle keys, and specialized equipment is used to cut new copies of these keys, even if the original keys are available.

Cost estimates for commonly requested auto locksmith services in Gilbert are listed below (ensure that you confirm that your prospective auto locksmith is vastly experienced working with your specific vehicle make and model):

Car lockout:
$90 - $160
Car ignition repair:
$165 - $400
Rekeying:
$50 - $135
Key duplication:
$15 - $60
Key extraction:
$60 - $250
Door lock repair:
$60 - $180
Changing locks:
$65 - $190
Transponder key reprogramming:
$60 - $225
Keyless fob replacement:
$155 - $350
Key replacement:
$80 - $300
Bike lock change:
$80 - $1 60
Motorcycle key replacement:
$90 - $140
Car door and trunk lock repair:
$50 - $300
Motorcycle steering/wheel lock repair/replacement:
$20 - $60
Motorcycle seat lock repair/replacement:
$15 - $50
Motorcycle gas cap lock repair/replacement:
$20 - $35
Mobile services (in addition to regular charges):
$120 - $270

Do You Provide Emergency or 24-hour Locksmith Services?

Even though most lock-related issues can be considered emergencies, some circumstances require more attention than others, such as:

  • You have forgotten the combination to your safe
  • You need to change your locks after a burglary
  • You are locked out of your car or home
  • You are moving into a new home
  • You have misplaced your keys
  • Your key broke inside the lock

Many Gilbert locksmiths charge clients extra for emergency services. Nonetheless, contact a mobile locksmith for your lockout emergencies. These locksmiths generally operate out of mobile workshops, which often translates into faster response times and other benefits like:

  • Better accessibility to remote locations
  • 24/7 availability
  • Little to no towing fees for auto emergencies

Self-service locksmith brands like KeyMe and MinuteKey offer digital key copying and duplication services are a quick alternative for lockout emergencies. However, there are certain drawbacks to signing up for these services, like data breaches and limited availability of self-service kiosks for immediate key duplication.

Here are some preventive actions to reduce the occurrence of lockouts and other similar lock-related situations:

  • Get spare keys
  • Keep your locks well-maintained
  • Use lock boxes
  • Install smart locks
  • Save the contact details of at least two trusted nearby locksmiths

Do You Conduct Background Checks on Your Employees?

Many renowned certifying bodies vet their member locksmiths to ensure they do not have a history of criminal activity that threatens public safety. This is one of the reasons you should prioritize hiring certified locksmiths over non-certified ones. However, we recommend going a step further by confirming these certified locksmiths also vet their employees, especially ones who interact with clients or have access to their details and sensitive information.

Professional and reputable locksmith companies in Gilbert conduct the following types of background checks on their employees:

  • Criminal background checks
  • Credit checks
  • Civil record checks
  • Driving record checks
  • Random drug screenings
  • Previous employment verifications

Verifying prospective locksmiths conduct background checks on their employees is essential. This assures you credible and reputable professionals are sent to your location and reduces the risk of robberies, thefts, and other similar crimes.

You can take extra precautions by requesting the name and description of the locksmith sent to handle your problem and ensure they have a matching official ID before granting them access to your home or vehicle.

Do You Offer Any Warranties on Your Locksmith Services?

Warranties are essential when hiring any locksmith, as they assure you your requested services will be delivered effectively and efficiently. Confirm you will be offered one. Professional locksmiths in Gilbert generally provide two types of warranties:

  • A manufacturer's warranty covers any defects and issues with the installed locks. It is usually valid for about a year.
  • A workmanship warranty covers defects or errors caused by the locksmith.

The specific terms and conditions of these warranties vary by product and locksmith; however, standard warranties do not typically cover damages caused by:

  • Improper lock installation
  • Unauthorized repairs
  • Misuse, negligence, or vandalism
  • Natural disasters

Ensure you request a written copy of your warranty and review its terms and conditions thoroughly.

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

Here are a few signs that you may be dealing with a dishonest locksmith:

  • Insistence on upfront payment
  • Significantly low advertised prices (when compared to other local locksmiths' rates)
  • High-pressure sales tactics, intimidation, and outright threats to get you to pay for unnecessary services
  • A business without a local listing on reputable sites like BBB and Yelp

You can resolve issues with your locksmith services in Gilbert by contacting the Arizona Attorney General's Office online. Complaints can also be filed with this office by submitting a pdf consumer complaint form either via fax to (602) 542-4579 or regular mail to:

Office of the Attorney General
Consumer Information and Complaints
2005 N Central Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85004

You can also file complaints against dishonest locksmiths in Gilbert with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) online.