Every day, roughly 74% of Americans commute to work. If you’ve ever woken up late only to find your keys are lost or stuck inside your vehicle, then you know the overwhelming panic that comes with this realization. And while it may be tempting to take matters into your own hands, you’ll cause your car more damage, which is why you need a trained locksmith. So what do you do if you accidentally lock yourself out of your car and need a lockout service fast? You call South Austin Locksmith to get you back in your car. But what does this type of emergency service cost, and what’s involved? This article discusses the cost of car lockout service in South Austin, along with other invaluable services provided by trained locksmiths.
Keep reading to learn more.
How Does a Car Lockout Service Work?
Whether you lose your keys or lock them in your car, it’s best to hire a professional locksmith. Trying to pry your door open on your own can lead to permanent damage, as locksmith tools require skill and precision to use.
Locksmiths can arrive at your vehicle promptly, swiftly helping you regain access to your vehicle. No matter where you are, a locksmith will come to you, even offering roadside assistance.
These highly skilled technicians know how to manipulate a series of tools to help you regain access to your vehicle without damaging it. Since the cost of a new car window can cost as much as $450, you need a professional to open your door for you. Manipulating a tool on your own can lead to a cracked window or worse, so it’s best to let professionals take over.
Your lockout service technician will arrive with an array of tools. Depending on your locks and keys, they’ll determine which tools are the most efficient for the job.
How Long Does a Car Lockout Take?
Since you’re in a hurry and need fast access to your car, trained technicians know how to unlock your car in a short amount of time. However, the type of services you need dictates the length of time each job takes, which can affect the total cost when paying for hourly labor.
On average, you can expect a car lockout to take no longer than 30 minutes, on average. If you lost your key altogether, it may take about an hour to get you back in your car.
Should you find yourself in need of replacement or duplicate keys, the duration of time needed depends on the type of key being duplicated. If your technician uses a traditional key duplication machine, you can expect the service to take 50 to 10 minutes per key.
But modern key duplication machines only take 1 to 2 minutes to make a copy of each key. You can ask your locksmith ahead of time what type of key duplication key they use so you know what to expect.
If you need assistance with a programming transponder key, you may find the service call takes longer than with other types of keys. These keys are a difficult task since they require extensive technical knowledge for the programming process.
You need a licensed locksmith with the expertise to tackle these challenging keys. With the help of special tools, they can complete these keys in a matter of minutes.
Cost of Car Lockout Service in South Austin
If you need a car lockout service, you’re probably wondering about the cost. South Austin Locksmith offers transparent pricing for all services offered.
There’s a $29 Service Call Fee applied to all services. From there, labor and hardware are added on, but your technician will give you an estimate before beginning any work so you have a ballpark average of the cost.
For anyone outside the service area, there may be a $29 Service Call Fee for travel. The complexity of each job and the length it’ll take the technician to complete will dictate the total price.
Since every key and ignition is different and the lock conditions vary from vehicle to vehicle, prices will vary.
Additional Charges
Aside from the Service Call Fee and labor charges, parts play an integral role in the total cost. If you need a new car key made, you can expect to pay a minimum of $90.
Duplicates or copies of car keys start at $59. Ignition or lock changes start at $120, and a programming transponder key starts at $60.
If you find yourself in need of an ignition key extraction, that starts at $70.
Benefits of South Austin Car Lockout Services
Now that you know the cost of car lockout services in South Austin, it’s important to understand why you should hire a professional instead of trying to unlock your car yourself. Not only can car lockout services protect your car from damage as they skillfully work to unlock it, but they offer a host of other services you may benefit from.
Top-Notch Results
Locksmiths are highly trained individuals with specific tools and the expertise to navigate even the most complex lockouts. Their services are extremely varied, and they can help you with automotive, residential, and commercial lockout services. They can even evaluate your home security system and replace window locks if needed.
Should you lose your key or simply want to replace your door locks after moving to a new home, locksmiths are the gold standard. They can quickly swap out any lock or expertly craft replacement keys on demand.
Fast and Efficient
If you’re locked out of your car or home, then you need access and you need it fast. Instead of fumbling with windows or other points of entry that may cause more harm than good (especially if you break a window in the process), call a locksmith. They’re available 24/7 and can get you back in your car or home within minutes.
Professional Services
When hiring someone to replace your locks or help you gain entrance to your vehicle, you want someone with proper credentials you can verify. Professional locksmiths go through extensive training and are licensed and insured.
You can check their credentials online or even check with the BBB if you’re unsure. They’re required to carry ID on them, so be sure to ask to see it, and their vehicle should display the company name so you know you’re in good hands.
Their extensive training also enables them to repair a wide array of locks, so there’s never a situation they’re unfamiliar with.
24/7 Availability
While it’s great to plan in advance when calling a locksmith to replace old locks, emergencies happen when you least expect them. This is what makes 24/7 locksmiths such an invaluable service.
No matter where you are or what time of day or night it is, a locksmith can help you gain access to your vehicle or home. This helps alleviate stress and anxiety if you find yourself locked out and unsure of who to call.
Be sure to ask your locksmith if they operate 24/7 and if there’s an additional service fee for nights, weekends, or holiday hours.
What to Expect From South Austin Car Lockout Service
Once a South Austin car lockout service arrives, you’re probably wondering what steps they take to unlock your vehicle. Let’s take a look.
Assess the Situation
Your car lockout technician will assess the type of car locks you have when deciding what tools to use. They may use a wedge, probe, or slim jim, although each tool has its own purpose.
Remember to ask your locksmith for proof of ID when they arrive to ensure they’re who they say they are. They’re usually required to carry photo ID on them so you know you’re in good hands.
Wedges
Wedges need to be used with a rag or towel to prevent damage to your car’s paint upon insertion. They’re commonly made from wood, plastic, or rubber. Air wedges are another type of wedge you may see used.
Soft rubber wedges are less common, but the material won’t scratch your car’s paint. The most common type of wedge is the air wedge.
It looks like a cloth pouch attached to a tube. The wedge is inserted into your car’s door jam before the air is pumped into it, expanding it.
No matter what type of wedge is used, they can’t remain in your car’s door for too long, or else they run the risk of damaging the inside of your car. This is why you should always defer to the professionals instead of attempting to use these tools yourself.
Probes
Probes are used after a wedge props the inside of your car door open. This long, thin tool can manipulate interior door locks. They’re inserted via your car’s exterior, so they’re made of sturdy but thin material.
Slim Jims
Your technician might also use a slim jim, a flat piece of metal with a plastic handle and hook on either end. They don’t work on all cars, so they’re less common. They can also take a while to use, so they’re not always the most efficient.
Once your lockout service technician arrives, they’ll be able to determine the best course of action for getting you back in your car safely and efficiently.
Other Services Available
Locksmiths offer more than just emergency lockout services.
If you’ve recently moved, you want to replace the locks on your home. For renters, previous tenants may have copies of your keys, so you need new locks to prevent theft.
Have you recently purchased a home? Then realtors may very well have access to your locks, along with anyone else who had access to your home, including previous owners.
If your home recently had construction done to it and you vacated the premises, then you probably need locks. Plumbers, electricians, and contractors most likely had access to your home, so be prepared and change your locks once work is completed.
You may also have a broken window lock, something locksmiths can handle. They can assess your home’s locks to ensure they’re in good working order and make repairs as needed.
Locksmiths can also provide you with duplicate keys so you have spares for relatives and can help you should you lock yourself out of your home. They can also help you gain access to a safe if you’re unable to open it. You can even ask a professional locksmith to help you secure your home safe, including bolting it to the ground to prevent theft.
Locksmiths also serve commercial businesses and can work with your existing security team to ensure points of entry are all adequately secured and protected. They can help you with smart lock installation to connect to smart devices, so it’s best to have a locksmith lined up for all your lock-related needs.
South Austin Car Lockout Service
Now that you know more about the cost of car lockout service in South Austin, you can find yourself a skilled locksmith should you need their emergency services. It’s also wise to have a locksmith lined up should you choose to evaluate your home or commercial security, as they’re well-versed in updating window and door locks.
South Austin Locksmith prides itself on transparent pricing, highly-trained locksmiths, and accessibility. Our team of highly skilled technicians is waiting to help you with all your lock-related needs, so request a service call today.