Locksmith service in Wake County
Car locksmith in Raleigh
An automotive locksmith comes to the car. They open it, make new keys and fobs on the spot, and repair worn locks and ignitions without a tow. Thumbtack's range for car locksmith jobs is $117 to $259, up to $456 after hours. Give the exact year and model when you call, because the car sets the price.
On this page
What a car locksmith does
| Problem | What it usually takes | Published price |
|---|---|---|
| Keys locked inside | Opening the door with car-specific tools | $80 to $150 (Fixr) |
| Lost the only key | Cutting a key from the key code and programming the chip | $125 to $250 transponder, $200 to $400 smart key (KBB) |
| Fob dead or broken | A new fob, or a new shell, programmed to the car | $50 to $200 programming (Fixr) |
| Key won't turn in the ignition or door | Repairing or replacing a worn cylinder | Quoted after a look |
| Key snapped off | Extracting the piece and cutting a new key | Quoted after a look |
Mobile is the point
When you have no working key, the dealer is a tow away. A mobile locksmith brings the key machine and programmer to the driveway or the parking deck. That is usually the difference in price, along with the part. Kelley Blue Book says a locksmith might save 10% to 25% over a dealer. Dealer or locksmith.
What Raleigh drivers ask about
Most of the car key threads on Raleigh and Triangle forums are some version of the same few questions:
- Lost the only key to an older car, with no spare, and worried it will cost a week's pay. Usually it costs less than that, and a mobile locksmith is the cheapest route when there is no key at all.
- Lost every key to an older Ford with a chipped key. Many locksmiths can still program these at the car.
- Bought a blank fob online and now need it cut and programmed. Some locksmiths will; some won't, because cheap blanks fail. Ask first.
- Looking for the cheapest place to program a key that is already cut. One Raleigh driver posted a $70 quote for that alone.
Licensed, and how to check
An auto locksmith in North Carolina needs the same state license as any other locksmith. Tow trucks and repair shops that open cars as part of their business are exempt, as long as they don't call themselves locksmiths. How to check a license.
Questions people in Raleigh ask
Can a car locksmith come to my work or a parking deck?
Usually, yes. Say where the car is, the level of the deck, and whether there is a height limit or a gate the locksmith needs to get through.
Can a locksmith fix an ignition?
Often. A key that won't turn is usually a worn key or worn wafers in the cylinder. A locksmith can cut a fresh key to the original code or repair the cylinder. Some push-to-start faults are electronic and need the dealer.
Can a locksmith handle motorcycles and trucks?
Many auto locksmiths do. Give the exact year and model when you call so they can bring the right blank.