How much does a locksmith cost in South Africa?
Locksmith costs in South Africa depend on the type of job and the time of day — emergency call-outs at night or on weekends attract a premium. Here is what you can expect to pay in 2024–2025.
Typical locksmith costs (2024–2025)
| Job type | Typical price range |
|---|---|
| Emergency lockout — home (business hours) | R600 – R1,200 |
| Emergency lockout — home (after hours/weekend) | R1,000 – R2,000 |
| Lock replacement (standard deadbolt, excl. hardware) | R400 – R900 |
| Quality deadbolt + installation (Lockwood, Mul-T-Lock) | R1,200 – R2,500 |
| Security gate lock replacement | R500 – R1,200 |
| Smart lock installation (keypad/biometric) | R1,500 – R4,500 incl. hardware |
| Safe opening (non-destructive) | R1,000 – R3,000 |
| Gate motor lock cylinder replacement | R600 – R1,400 |
| Security assessment (home audit) | R800 – R2,000 |
What affects the price?
- Time of day. After-hours, weekend, and public holiday call-outs attract a surcharge — typically R300–R700 above the standard rate.
- Type of lock. High-security locks (Mul-T-Lock, Abloy, Medeco) cost significantly more to supply and install than standard locks but offer far better protection.
- Lock condition. A simple lockout on a working lock is faster and cheaper than a broken lock that must be drilled and replaced.
- Number of locks. Volume discounts often apply when replacing multiple locks in one visit — ask for a package price.
Choosing the right lock
South Africa has a high rate of burglary and forced entry. Standard cylinder locks offer minimal resistance to "lock bumping" — a technique used by criminals. High-security locks like Mul-T-Lock MT5 or Abloy Protec cost R600–R1,500 per lock but are significantly harder to pick, drill, or bump. For exterior doors, a combination of a quality deadbolt and a security gate is strongly recommended.
Tips for getting a fair price
- For non-emergency work, get two or three quotes before committing. Locksmith pricing is not standardised — the range can be significant. TruePro sends your request to every matching verified locksmith in your area, and each quote shows their trust score, so you can compare on reliability as well as price.
- Ask upfront whether the quote includes the lock hardware or just labour. "Install a lock" quotes sometimes assume you supply the lock.
- Check that the locksmith is a member of the Locksmiths Association of South Africa (LASA) or can show a valid trade registration. TruePro verifies LASA membership and shows a badge on the locksmith's quotes and profile once confirmed.
- Get a written invoice for any work done. If a lock is drilled rather than picked, the invoice should reflect the reason.
- Avoid paying the full amount upfront, especially for emergency call-outs. TruePro's payment protection holds your payment securely until you've confirmed the work is done.