Get Quotes from Top Locksmiths in Houston, TX

Are You Licensed to Practice as a Locksmith in Houston?

Chapter 1702 of the Texas Occupations Code mandates all individuals and businesses wishing to provide locksmith services in Houston to obtain a state-issued license from the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) before doing so. The DPS issues locksmith licenses through its Regulatory Services Division, and applications for these licenses can be submitted to the division online via its TOPS License and Endorsement Application platform. Note that locksmith licenses are only issued to applicants that meet the following criteria:

• Are at least 18 years old
• Have two consecutive years of full-time locksmith-related experience or successfully complete a department-approved 48-hour basic locksmith course, a 600-hour fundamentals of locksmith course, pass a test on these courses, and have one year of full-time locksmith-related experience
• Pass a criminal background check
• Pass a department-administered licensing examination
• Provide proof of acceptable liability insurance
• Pay all stipulated fees

You can get more information on the licensing requirements and process for Houston-based locksmiths by contacting the DPS at (512) 424-2000. Queries on this subject can also be directed to the department's Regulatory Services Division online or by calling (512) 424-7293.

Note that, per state law, providing locksmith services in Houston without appropriate licensing by the DPS is considered unlawful, and violators are subject to civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation. It should also be pointed out that anyone who knowingly retains the services of an unlicensed locksmith or locksmith business is equally subject to these fines.

To this end, you should always confirm the license status of any locksmith you plan to hire in Houston before reaching agreements with them. This not only protects you from possible sanctions but also assures you that the work will be done by a qualified professional. You can confirm your intended locksmith's license status online via the DPS's TOPS platform.

Do You Hold Any Certification as a Locksmith?

When searching for reliable locksmith services in Houston, it is important to look for credentials like professional certifications and membership in reputable trade associations among your preferred locksmiths. Locksmiths with these credentials are usually more experienced and competent than their competitors and also have other advantages over them, like

• Access to better training and continuing education resources and opportunities
• Access to better insurance and bond options
• Access to state-of-the-art tools and equipment and high-quality products
• Access to current information concerning industry regulations and technological advancements

Furthermore, locksmiths with these credentials are typically held to higher standards of professionalism by their respective certifying bodies and member associations, which generally makes them more credible, well-behaved, and reliable than their competitors. This usually results in better service delivery when you hire these locksmiths. However, it is important to note that you should always confirm that your intended locksmith has a valid state-mandated occupational license, regardless of whether or not they hold any additional credentials.

Examples of reputable organizations that Houston-based locksmiths typically obtain professional certifications from or become members of include:

• The Associated Locksmiths of America (ALOA)
• The Society of Professional Locksmiths (SOPL)
• The Texas Locksmiths Association (TLA)
• The Greater Houston Locksmiths Association (GHLA)
• The Institutional Locksmiths Association
• The Safe and Vault Technicians Association (SAVTA)

Some certification options that these organizations offer to interested parties include:

• ALOA Fundamental Locksmith Certification
• Registered Locksmith Certification
• Certified Registered Locksmith Certification
• Certified Professional Locksmith Certification
• Certified Master Locksmith Certification
• Certified Automotive Locksmith Certification
• Certified Master Automotive Locksmith Certification
• Certified Professional SafeTech Certification
• Certified Master SafeTech Certification
• Certified Forensic Locksmith Certification
• Certified Electronic Locksmith Certification
• Certified Master Electronic Locksmith Certification
• Certified Institutional Lockshop Manager Certification
• Institutional Certified Registered Locksmith Certification
• Institutional Certified Professional Locksmith Certification
• Institutional Certified Master Locksmith Certification

Note that you should always check with the relevant organizations to confirm any additional credentials your prospective locksmith claims to hold before you finish any hiring agreements with the locksmith.

How Much Do You Charge Compared to Other Locksmiths in the City?

Professional locksmiths that operate in the Houston area typically charge an average of $100 - $200 for their services. Nevertheless, the actual amount that you will be charged for your required locksmith services in the city will be determined by factors like

• The exact type of services that you require
• The urgency of your required services
• The time of day
• The types of locks involved
• The complexity of the job
• Your location within the city
• Trip fees

You should always get a price quote from your preferred locksmith and agree on their rates before any work is started. Failure to do so increases the likelihood of disagreements or misunderstandings about payments at the end of the day. It is also advisable to get and compare quotes from up to three different local locksmiths before making your final hiring decision to avoid retaining the services of a dubious locksmith who overcharges for their services. Finally, note that you should also be wary of locksmiths whose rates are noticeably lower than the competition because dubious locksmiths also use this strategy to deceive unwary clients.

What Kind of Locksmith Services Do You Offer?

Locksmith services in Houston are generally grouped into four primary categories, namely residential services, commercial services, automotive services, and emergency services. Many professional locksmiths in the city often specialize in providing one or more particular services from among these four categories, such as:

• Key replacements
• New lock installations
• Existing lock repair
• Broken key removal
• High-security lock installations
• Key cutting and copying
• Home and office security lock upgrades
• Forensic locksmith services
• Key impressioning and lock picking
• Re-keying
• Building lockout services
• Car lockout services
• Auto and motorcycle lock services
• Door and window lock repair
• Electronic access installation
• Smart lock installations
• Safe selection and installation
• Safe unlocking and repair
• Access system installation, replacement, and repair
• Mobile locksmith services
• Emergency locksmith services

Note that even though professional locksmiths in the city typically offer a broad scope of services to interested parties, you should always ensure that any locksmith you select is experienced enough to effectively provide the specific types of services you need. Make sure that you do this before concluding any hiring agreements with the locksmith, and ensure that you also discuss and agree on the locksmith's rates before any work is started. Finally, get all agreements, assurances, and promises made regarding your requested services in writing, as this goes a long way toward preventing future conflicts and misunderstandings.

Listed below are average price ranges for commonly requested locksmith services in Houston:

Estimates for locksmith services based on the type of service:

Estimates for locksmith services based on the type of lock being installed/replaced (materials only):

Estimates for locksmith services based on the locksmith's expertise/level of experience

Do You Provide Auto Locksmith Services in Houston?

Losing your car keys is not only an unpleasant experience but also jeopardizes the security of your vehicle and any valuables that may be inside it. Unfortunately, car and house keys are among the most frequently misplaced objects across the country, with over 20 million Americans losing these items each year. Therefore, when dealing with misplaced car keys, damaged ones, or any other related scenarios, it is critical to take quick action by contacting a reputable auto locksmith to help you regain access to your vehicle.

Note that if the misplaced or damaged keys are for a motorcycle, you should endeavor to confirm that the auto locksmith business you reach out to has trained and experienced motorcycle locksmiths available to help rectify the situation. This is a result of the fact that the sort of coding that motorcycle manufacturers typically use for their keys is different and unique from that of other types of vehicle keys. Therefore, cutting new motorcycle keys frequently requires specialized skills and equipment, even if you still have the original key.

Lastly, ensure that the auto or motorcycle locksmith you wish to hire to assist you in regaining entry to your vehicle has the necessary skill set needed to work on the make and model of that particular vehicle.

Listed below are services commonly provided by car locksmiths and motorcycle locksmiths in Houston, as well as cost estimates for these services:

Do You Provide Emergency Locksmith Services?

Even though most key and lock-related situations are typically deemed urgent, in some cases, you may need to search for nearby Houston-based locksmiths who can deliver their services immediately or in the shortest amount of time possible. Examples of these types of situations include:

• You locked your keys inside your home, office, or car, and you do not have any spares available
• You need to change your locks after a burglary
• Your keys have been stolen or lost
• You are locked out of your home
• Your lock is damaged
• Your key got broken inside the lock
• You cannot remember the combination to your safe
• Your home's access control system is malfunctioning
• You moved into a new apartment and need the locks changed

Even though these types of situations need to be treated urgently, hiring just any locksmith without doing your due diligence can make the problem worse. As such, you should always make sure that the locksmith you hire for the job is not only appropriately licensed and certified but also competent and close enough to reach your place quickly. A good way to identify licensed and qualified emergency locksmiths in your area is by using online directories provided by reputable organizations like the Texas Locksmiths Association, the Associated Locksmiths of America, and the Better Business Bureau. Also, keep in mind that locksmiths typically charge extra for emergencies, particularly after regular work hours.

Mobile locksmiths are also good for dealing with key and lock emergencies. These locksmiths work out of a mobile workshop, which gives them several advantages over locksmiths who work out of a fixed business location when it comes to handling emergencies, such as

• Faster response times
• Better accessibility for difficult-to-reach locations
• 24/7 availability
• No towing fees for auto emergencies
• More on-the-job experience and efficiency due to the high volume of jobs that they typically received

Alternatively, you can utilize the services of locally available locksmith brands like KeyMe and MinuteKey to help out with certain types of key-related emergencies. These companies provide locksmith services that let customers create digital copies of their keys, save them online, and then create physical duplicates as needed through designated self-service kiosks. It should be noted, however, that using these services has a number of disadvantages, such as

• There might not be any self-service kiosks nearby
• The self-service kiosk might not be able to create a physical duplicate of your key on the spot. This often occurs with high-security keys.
• You face the danger of making digital copies of your key accessible to strangers and unauthorized parties

Keeping the contact information of one or two trustworthy local locksmiths that you may call on in emergency scenarios can prevent you from dealing with these drawbacks mentioned above and also reduce the burden of looking for competent locksmiths whenever you have an emergency. You can also lessen the likelihood of lockouts and other similar key-related issues from happening or repeating themselves by taking the following actions:

• Get spare keys
• Use lockboxes to prevent lockouts
• Keep proper track of all your keys
• Maintain your locks properly
• Consider installing smart locks
• Choose locks that suit your lifestyle, and take the time to familiarize yourself with their features

Do You Provide Smart Lock Services?

It is estimated that more than 11 million US households currently have smart locks installed in their homes. Smart locks use Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connectivity to function and can generally only be opened via an app, a fingerprint, or a voice command. Installing, replacing, or fixing these types of locks requires specialized knowledge, tools, and equipment, as they do not utilize the same locking mechanisms as most traditional locks. In many cases, rectifying lockouts that involve smart locks or resolving situations where a smart lock has been compromised often requires extensive IT and programming abilities from locksmiths who want to offer these services.

As such, if you ever find yourself in a situation where your smart lock has been damaged or compromised, or you have been locked out as a result of a battery drain, always verify that your intended locksmith has the necessary skill set needed to address the issue and complete the work effectively. It should be noted that even though more and more homeowners in Houston and across the US are considering trading in their traditional locks for smart locks because of advantages like their convenience and superior technology, these types of locks also have some disadvantages:

Lastly, you should always ensure that your preferred locksmith is not only qualified to provide smart lock services but is also conversant with the specific operating technology the smart lock product uses. Smart lock manufacturers typically use one or a combination of the following operating technologies for their products:

• A digital key plus mobile app combo for wireless door unlocking
• A programmable numeric keypad plus PIN code combo for door unlocking
• A fingerprint sensor plus biometric authorization combo for door unlocking

Note that some smart lock products may come with more than one of these operating technologies to give consumers multiple door-opening options. Some of the leading smart lock product manufacturers in the US include:

• August
• Schlage
• Lockly
• Kwikset
• Ultralog
• Yale
• Wyze
• Level

Do You Conduct Background Checks on Your Employees?

Professional locksmith businesses that operate in the Houston area usually carry out the following types of background checks on potential and current employees:

• Criminal record check: this is generally considered one of the most important background checks conducted by locksmith businesses, and it involves contacting local, state, and federal organizations to determine whether the employee has ever been convicted of a crime or is currently embroiled in any criminal legal proceedings
• Civil court check: this check involves going through state and municipal court records to see if the employee is currently involved in any civil litigations, claims, or judgments
• Credit check: this check involves examining the employee's entire credit history, and checking areas like payment histories, unpaid bills in collections, recent credit inquiries, bankruptcies, tax liens, and civil judgments
• Driving records check: this is mostly carried out on employees that will be using official company vehicles and it involves confirming the authenticity of their driver's licenses and checking for any DUIs/DWIs, license suspensions, and moving violations on their record
• Drug testing/screening: this involves making sure that the employee does not use illicit or illegal drugs. These drug tests are typically carried out randomly and without any prior notifications
• Education and employment verification: this involves confirming the employee's academic background as well as any prior employment history and work experience
• International background checks: these are checks that are carried out on employees that either resided, attended school, or worked outside the US, and they involve contacting the relevant agencies in the appropriate countries to obtain essential information on the respective employees

Note that locksmiths that wish to operate in the Houston area must pass state-administered background checks before they can be issued occupational licenses by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). Nonetheless, you should always check out any locksmith business you wish to work with and make sure that they have done the same for their employees, especially any person directly involved in providing your requested locksmith services. This is an effective way to ensure that only reputable locksmiths can access your home and belongings and reduce the risk of theft, robbery, and other similar crimes.

As such, always get confirmation from your intended locksmith business that any locksmith sent to provide your required services has been thoroughly screened. Request the names and descriptions of these locksmiths and ensure they have photo IDs that can verify their identities before letting them into your home when they arrive at your location.

Additionally, you can employ the following methods to personally check any Houston-area locksmiths and locksmith businesses whose services you wish to retain:

• Search local law enforcement, court, and correctional facility records, and other available public records for information on the locksmiths
• Request and check references of the locksmiths' previous customers who can attest to the caliber of their services
• Use reputable background check websites and services
• Research the locksmiths online using review websites and platforms like the Better Business Bureau, Yelp, and Google Review

Do You Provide a Warranty for Your Locksmith Services?

Professional locksmiths in the Houston area generally offer two types of warranties to their customers. These are

• Manufacturer's Warranty: this warranty covers the locks used for the job and is typically valid for a year. Note that if a lock you have installed is still under warranty, you might need to get in touch with the product manufacturer directly to resolve any factory-related problems with it. Nonetheless, the likelihood of this happening is low when you hire a reputable and professional locksmith because they typically use high-quality locks for the job
• Workmanship Warranty: this warranty covers the locksmith's labor and assures you that your locks were professionally installed or replaced per the product manufacturer's requirements. Workmanship warranties are comparable to manufacturer's warranties in that they are typically also valid for a stipulated period of time, which the locksmith determines

Whether or not you will be issued a warranty is a crucial area to consider when looking for locksmith services in Houston. Warranties are important because they provide you with the peace of mind that your requested locksmith services were provided properly, using the right materials, and will perform as intended. Note that even though warranties may be implied, offered verbally, or in writing, you should always hire locksmiths who offer written warranties, as this enables you to review its scope and conditions properly.

Also, even though the specific terms and conditions of any warranties you are provided are largely dependent on the locksmith you hire for the job as well as the type of products used, these warranties are usually voided by the following actions:

• Failing to install the lock per the manufacturer's specifications
• Getting an unapproved locksmith or locksmith business to repair the installed lock

Likewise, these warranties' coverage does not typically extend to damages or defects caused by misuse, negligence, poor maintenance, vandalism, or natural disasters. Because of this, it is always in your best interest to read any warranties you are offered to ensure that you avoid taking actions that may result in them being voided.

Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Locksmiths in the City?

Per state law, Houston-based locksmiths businesses must maintain a general liability insurance policy with the following minimum limits:

• $100,000 per occurrence for bodily injury and property damage
• $50,000 per occurrence for personal injury
• A total aggregate amount of $200,000 for all occurrences

These businesses are also required to maintain surety bonds in an amount to be determined by the Texas Department of Public Safety at the time of their licensing.

Making sure that the locksmiths you intend to hire are adequately insured and bonded is one of the most important actions you need to take when searching for locksmith services in Houston. This insurance and bonding protect you from legal and financial liabilities in situations where adverse work-related events like property damage, worker or third-party injury, theft, and incomplete service delivery.

To this end, always request proof of insurance from your intended locksmiths before they begin any work, and verify this with the appropriate insurance provider. In addition, make sure that the locksmith's insurance policy's minimum limits are adequate for the scope of your work, and find out if they also carry professional liability insurance to protect you from losses brought on by their mistakes and negligence.

You can contact the Texas Department of Public Safety at (512) 424-2000 and (512) 424-7293 to get more information on the statutorily-mandated insurance and bond requirements for locksmiths and locksmith businesses in Houston.