Get Quotes from Top Locksmiths in Sacramento, CA

What Do I Need to Know Before Hiring a Locksmith in Sacramento?

Sacramento locksmiths must have a state-issued license before offering their services to residents - always check for this when hiring. Other factors to consider when searching for locksmiths in Sacramento include:

• Your preferred locksmith's current location and availability
• The urgency of the situation
• The locksmith's rates remove

Note that you should always contact the correct type of locksmith to ensure the job is handled efficiently and correctly. Depending on the nature of the situation, you will typically need to get either a traditional locksmith or an auto locksmith. Traditional locksmiths generally focus on buildings (whether residential, commercial, or industrial), while auto locksmiths focus on vehicles.

Are You Licensed as a Locksmith in Sacramento?

Per state law, any individual who wishes to install, rekey, repair, open, modify, or originate keys for locks in Sacramento must be licensed by the California Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS). These locksmiths will have to register all their employees and any branch offices they operate outside their primary place of business with the BSIS.

Note that Sacramento locksmiths who wish to provide services worth $500 or more at a single site also have to obtain one of the following contractor licenses from the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) in addition to their BSIS-issued license:

• A C-28 - Lock and Security Equipment Contractor License
• A C-61/D-16 - Hardware, Locks, and Safes Contractor License

Contact the BSIS at (916) 322-4000 for more information on the licensing requirements for locksmiths in Sacramento. You can verify your prospective locksmith's license status online via the state's DCA License Search platform.

What Rates Do You Charge for Your Locksmith Services in Sacramento?

Locksmiths in Sacramento typically charge $25 - $60 per hour. They may also charge per lock with a flat fee for the visit. A locksmith job in Sacramento costs an average of $100 - $250, depending on the nature of your required service (whether house, car, or safe-related) and other factors like:

• The urgency of the situation
• The time of day
• Your location
• Trip fees
• The lock type
• The complexity of the task

You should consider contacting up to three locksmiths, getting estimates for your required services, and comparing their rates before hiring. This helps protect against being overcharged by a dishonest locksmith. However, be wary of locksmiths with significantly lower rates than the competition, as this is usually a ploy used by dishonest locksmiths to reel in unsuspecting customers.

What Kind of Locksmith Services Do You Offer?

Licensed and experienced Sacramento locksmiths typically offer many services, ranging from key cutting and copying to installing high-security locks in residential and commercial buildings. Listed below are commonly requested locksmith services in Sacramento and the average price range for these services:

Always confirm your intended locksmith's area of specialization and expertise and agree on the cost of your services before finalizing hiring agreements. Doing this helps reduce misunderstandings and disputes after the task is completed.

Do You Provide Auto Locksmith Services in Sacramento?

Auto locksmiths specialize in providing locksmith services specifically for cars, motorcycles, trucks, and other types of vehicles. Automotive locksmiths are skilled in handling tasks such as

• Unlocking car doors
• Lock repair or replacement
• Trunk reopening
• Key replacement or duplication
• Key fob programming
• Ignition repair
• Broken key extraction
• Door actuator replacement

However, in situations that involve motorcycles, it's essential to ensure that the auto locksmith company you contact has skilled, experienced, and well-equipped motorcycle locksmiths on staff. This is because motorcycle keys have a different coding system from other keys, requiring specialized equipment to cut new keys, even if you still have the original one.

Cost estimates for commonly requested auto locksmith services in Sacramento are provided below (always confirm that your intended car locksmith or motorcycle locksmith has ample experience working with your specific vehicle make and model):

Do You Provide Emergency or 24-hour Locksmith Services?

While most lock-related situations can be considered emergencies, some situations typically require more urgent attention than others, like:

• You are locked out of your home or vehicle
• You suspect a break-in
• You need to change your locks after a burglary
• You have forgotten the combination to your safe
• Your key broke inside the lock
• You have misplaced your keys

When faced with these emergencies, it is vital to get a reliable and licensed locksmith who can promptly address the issue. Keep in mind that emergency locksmith services usually incur additional fees. Mobile locksmiths are a good option to consider in these situations. These locksmiths operate out of mobile workshops and offer benefits like:

• Faster response times
• 24/7 availability
• Better accessibility to remote locations
• Little to no towing fees for auto emergencies

You can also sign up with self-service locksmith brands like KeyMe and MinuteKey that provide digital key copying and duplication services (note that there are downsides to this, like data breaches and limited availability of self-service kiosks for immediate key duplication).

Lastly, you can take the following preventive actions to minimize the occurrence of lockouts and other locksmith-related emergencies:

• Get spare keys
• Use lockboxes
• Install smart locks
• Save the contact details of at least two trusted nearby locksmiths

Do You Conduct Background Checks on Your Employees?

Sacramento locksmiths must undergo a criminal background check before being licensed by the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS). Always confirm that your intended locksmith has not only passed a background check (by verifying their license status with the BSIS) but also vets their employees, especially ones directly involved in providing locksmith services. Professional Sacramento locksmith companies conduct the following types of background checks on their employees in addition to criminal background checks:

• Civil record checks
• Credit checks
• Random drug screenings
• Driving record checks
• Previous employment verifications

Confirming your prospective locksmiths conduct background checks on their employees assures you that only reputable and trustworthy professionals will be sent to your location and reduces the likelihood of thefts, robberies, and other similar crimes.

Always request the name and description of the locksmith and ensure they provide a corresponding ID before granting them access to your home or vehicle.

Do You Offer Any Warranties on Your Locksmith Services?

Warranties assure you that your repaired, retooled, or installed locks will function as intended. As such, you should always confirm that you will be offered one when negotiating locksmith services in Sacramento. Professional Sacramento locksmiths typically offer two types of warranties:

• A manufacturer's warranty that covers defects and issues with the actual locks (usually valid for about a year)
• A workmanship warranty that covers defects or errors caused by the locksmith

The specific terms and conditions of these warranties vary by product and locksmith. However, locksmith warranties generally do not cover damages caused by:

• Improper lock installation
• Misuse, negligence, or vandalism
• Unauthorized repairs
• Natural disasters

We recommend requesting a written copy of your warranty to familiarize yourself with its terms and conditions.