What does a locksmith cost — and how do you recognise a trustworthy one?
Locksmith rates vary enormously. Here is an honest breakdown of what you are actually paying for — and how to tell the difference between a fair professional and a rogue trader.
What are you actually paying for?
A locksmith's rate consists of three parts: call-out and labour, the time slot (daytime, evening or night), and any materials (such as a new cylinder). Understanding these components means you will never be caught off guard.
My rates
- Daytime (approx. 08:00–16:00): from €89
- Evening (approx. 16:00–22:00): from €119
- Night (approx. 22:00–08:00): from €149
These are the all-in rates for an emergency opening of a door that has slammed shut. If a new cylinder is needed (for example after drilling), the material cost is discussed with you first and added to the final price. You always know the total before I start.
If I cannot get your door open, you pay nothing. No call-out fee and no labour costs.
How to recognise a reliable locksmith
Signs of a trustworthy locksmith
- A clear price before coming out. A good locksmith gives you a total price — not just a "call-out fee" — before setting off.
- Damage-free opening as the starting point. The first approach is always to open the door without damage. Drilling is a last resort, not the default.
- A real, reachable phone number. You can reach the person who will actually come out, not just a call centre that passes you on to unknown subcontractors.
- A face and a name. A personal locksmith is accountable. You know who is coming to your door.
- Local and transparent. Working in a specific area means reputation matters — bad work gets noticed quickly in a neighbourhood.
Red flags
- A suspiciously cheap advertised call-out fee (e.g. €19 or €29) that "coincidentally" multiplies once the locksmith is on site.
- Refusing to give a price before coming out — a reliable locksmith can always give you an indication.
- Immediately reaching for the drill without attempting other methods first. Drilling is lucrative for rogue traders because it means selling a new cylinder.
- No traceable company details — no real address, no verifiable Chamber of Commerce registration.
Frequently asked questions — locksmith costs
What is a normal rate for a locksmith?
From €89 for daytime is a realistic starting rate for an emergency opening in Amsterdam. Be wary of prices that seem unusually low — rogue locksmiths often advertise a low call-out fee but multiply it once on site, sometimes charging €500 or more. A trustworthy locksmith gives you a clear total price before setting off.
How do I recognise a reliable locksmith?
A reliable locksmith: quotes the full price upfront before coming out; gives a real, reachable phone number; works damage-free as the default approach; is transparent about who will come and what they will do. Red flags: a suspiciously low advertised rate that 'coincidentally' turns out to be much higher on arrival; refusing to give a price before coming; immediately reaching for the drill without trying other methods first.
Why are evening and night rates higher?
Evening and night call-outs require immediate availability at unsociable hours. That higher rate is fair and is always communicated to you upfront — you will never be surprised by it afterwards. The evening rate (from €119) applies roughly from 16:00, the night rate (from €149) from 22:00. Exact times are confirmed when you call.
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