Get Quotes from Top Locksmiths in San Diego, CA

Are You Licensed to Practice as a Locksmith in San Diego?

Any individual that wishes to originate keys for locks, install, rekey, repair, open, or modify locks for compensation in San Diego must first obtain a state-issued license from the California Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) through its Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS) before doing so. Providing locksmith services in the city without this license is a misdemeanor offense, and violators face statutory penalties of up to $10,000 in fines, imprisonment in a county jail of up to one year, or a combination of both.

Parties that wish to obtain BSIS-issued locksmith licenses may either apply to the bureau online through the DCA's BreEZe Online Services portal or complete and submit a pdf Locksmith Company Application for License Form, along with all necessary additional documents, to the bureau at

Note that applicants who choose the online submission option must register a user profile on the portal before creating and submitting their license applications. All applicants are also required to meet certain eligibility criteria before they can obtain the requested licenses. These include

• Paying an application fee, a separate license fee, and any other stipulated fees
• Submitting a Live Scan Request Form and subsequently passing a criminal history background check conducted by the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Bureau of Investigation
• Submitting two recent passport-quality photographs
• Submitting, if necessary, a certified copy of their fictitious business name statement obtained from the San Diego County Clerk

Note that any locksmith employed by an already licensed locksmith company is required to undergo a separate registration process with the BSIS, and this process typically includes a criminal history background check. Similarly, licensed locksmith companies that wish to operate offices other than the principal place of business listed on their licenses must also register these locations. These additional registrations can be done online via the BreEze platform or by submitting an Application for Locksmith Employee Registration Form or a Branch Office Registration Application Form, along with all stipulated fees, to the bureau at the contact address listed above.

Likewise, locksmiths that wish to provide services worth $500 or more at any single worksite must obtain either a C-28 - Lock and Security Equipment or a C-61/ D-16 - Hardware, Locks and Safes contractor license issued by the DCA's Contractors State License Board (CSLB) before doing so. This board typically issues contractor licenses to locksmiths that meet the following criteria:

• Must be at least 18 years old
• Must have either a valid Social Security Number or an individual taxpayer identification number
• Must complete and submit an Application for Original Contractor License Form
• Must provide acceptable documentation to prove that they have attained at least four years of locksmith-related work experience
• Must pass a board-administered licensing examination
• Must undergo a background check
• Must meet the board's mandatory insurance and bond requirements

Note that providing locksmith services worth $500 or more at a single worksite in San Diego without a valid CSLB-issued contractor license is unlawful, and violators face penalties of up to $15,000 in fines, jail time of up to six months, or a combination of both.

You can contact the BSIS at (916) 322-4000 or (800) 952-5210 and the CSLB at (800) 321-2752 to get additional information on their licensing requirements and procedures for San Diego-based locksmiths. You can also confirm that your prospective locksmith has complied with these requirements and holds a valid license issued by these agencies through the DCA's License Search portal.

Do You Hold Any Certification as a Locksmith?

After making sure that your prospective locksmith has been licensed by the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services, and the Contractors State License Board where necessary, you should also consider checking for additional credentials like membership and certification with a professional association.

Hiring a locksmith that is a member of a professional association or has obtained certifications from one usually guarantees that your required services will be provided by an experienced and competent professional. This is because these locksmiths are generally better trained than their counterparts, have access to cutting-edge tools and equipment as well as better insurance options, and are more likely to be informed on recent industry regulations and technological advancements. In addition, these locksmiths are also usually held to high professional standards by their respective associations.

Some well-known professional associations that San Diego-based locksmiths typically join or obtain certifications from include:

• The Associated Locksmiths of America (ALOA)
• The Society of Professional Locksmiths (SOPL)
• The California Institute of Locksmithing

Likewise, some popular certifying options offered by the associations include:

• Fundamental Locksmith Certification
• Registered Locksmith Certification
• Certified Professional Locksmith Certification
• Certified Master Locksmith Certification
• Certified Automotive Locksmith Certification
• Certified Professional Safe Tech Certification
• Certified Master Safe Tech Certification
• Certified Forensic Locksmith Certification
• Institutional Certified Professional Locksmith Certification
• Certified Electronic Locksmith Certification
• Certified Institutional Lockshop Manager Certification

It is crucial to note that you should always verify your prospective locksmith's claims of professional association membership or certification with the relevant association before finalizing any hiring arrangements with them.

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

When making plans to hire locksmiths in San Diego, it is vital to determine how much you will be expected to pay for your required locksmith services before finalizing your arrangements. This helps prevent payment issues and other disagreements once the job is over. Although locksmiths in the city typically charge an average of $100 to $255 for their services, the actual cost of hiring these locksmiths depends on a number of variables, including

• The type and scope of services requested
• The type of locks involved
• Your location within the city
• The urgency of the required locksmith services
• The time of day
• Trip fees
• The complexity of the job

It is advisable to contact, request, and compare quotes for your required locksmith services from up to three local locksmiths before making your final hiring decision. This is an effective way to prevent shady locksmiths from scamming you by overcharging for their services. However, you should also look out for quotes that are considerably lower than the rest, as this is another ruse employed by shady locksmiths to entice unwary customers.

What Kind of Locksmith Services Do You Offer?

Professional locksmiths in San Diego generally have the expertise and tools needed to provide a range of lock installation, repair, and re-opening services to both residential and business customers, such as

• Access control system installation
• Security lock upgrades
• Key replacement
• Key cutting and copying
• Rekeying
• Smart lock installations
• High-security lock installations
• Electronic access installation
• Building lockout services
• Car lockout services
• Auto and motorcycle lock services
• Safe selection and installation
• Safe unlocking and repair
• Door and window lock repair
• Emergency locksmith services
• Mobile locksmith services

Regardless, you should always ensure that your preferred locksmith has the expertise and tools required to deliver the precise services you need before entering into any agreements with them. In addition, ensure that you ascertain and agree on the costs of these services before the locksmith starts doing any work, and equally ensure that this information, along with any guarantees or promises the locksmith makes regarding the job, are included in your service contract. By doing this, you significantly lower the chances of service-related miscommunications or disagreements occurring between you and the locksmith at the end of the day.

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

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 San Diego?

If you ever find yourself locked out of your car, you should always call an auto locksmith right away so they can assist you in unlocking it and getting back inside as quickly as possible. Approximately 52.2 percent of the vehicle thefts reported across California in 2020 occurred in San Diego and other parts of Southern California. Unfortunately, many of these auto thefts happened because the owner left their keys or fobs inside the vehicle.

In situations where the vehicle in question is a motorcycle, and you are either locked out of, damaged, or lost its keys, then you should find out if the automotive locksmith company you reach out to has a team of skilled and experienced motorcycle locksmiths. This is because motorcycle keys typically use a different manufacturer coding system than other types of vehicle keys, and cutting new ones often requires the use of specially designed tools, regardless of whether or not you still have the original key.

Lastly, always confirm that your preferred auto or motorcycle locksmith has sufficient experience working on your specific vehicle make and model, and find out if they also provide mobile locksmith services in addition to their in-shop services. This way, you can reduce the cost of having the vehicle towed to the locksmith's workshop.

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

Do You Provide Emergency Locksmith Services?

Emergency locksmith services are typically required under certain unexpected and usually urgent circumstances, like:

• You are locked out of your home or vehicle
• You do not remember the combination to your safe
• You believe that someone has tried to break into your home or has gained access to your personal space
• You have misplaced your keys
• Your house or office has been burglarized
• Your key has broken inside the lock
• Your home or office's access control system is malfunctioning
• You need to get the locks changed because you recently moved into a new house

While it may be tempting to hire the first locksmith you come across when faced with these types of situations, it is important to ensure that this locksmith is properly licensed and experienced. In addition, the locksmith should be available and situated close enough to ensure that your emergency is resolved as quickly as possible. A reliable approach to finding qualified emergency locksmiths in San Diego is using online directories maintained by organizations like the Associated Locksmiths of America and the Better Business Bureau. Note that you typically have to pay an additional fee on top of the locksmith's standard charges when you engage them for emergency services.

You can also consider hiring a mobile locksmith for emergency locksmith services in San Diego is mobile locksmiths. These types of locksmiths work out of movable workshops, and retaining their services for an emergency can be advantageous in the following ways:

• Quicker response times
• 24/7 availability
• Greater efficiency and knowledge as a result of the multiple job requests they typically receive
• Better access to distant and difficult-to-reach locations
• Little to no towing fees for auto locksmith emergencies

You can equally think about signing up with locksmith companies like KeyMe and MinuteKey that allow their customers to create and save digital copies of their keys, which can subsequently be printed at self-service kiosks scattered across the city. However, there are certain drawbacks to these types of alternative locksmith services, such as

• There is no assurance that a self-service kiosk will be close to the scene of your emergency
• There is always a chance that the self-service kiosk will not be able to make a duplicate of your key right away. This often happens with high-security keys
• There is the risk of strangers or other unauthorized persons having access to digital copies of your keys due to data breaches and other similar situations

Lastly, you should strongly consider saving the contact information of up to two reliable emergency locksmiths that you can call on as needed. Other actions that you can take to forestall emergency locksmith situations include:

• Getting extra keys and using lockboxes to prevent lockouts
• Installing smart locks
• Organizing your keys properly
• Selecting locks that suit your particular lifestyle and tastes and familiarizing yourself with them
• Properly maintaining your locks

Do You Provide Smart Lock Services?

It is estimated that at least 63 percent of homebuyers prefer smart locks and alarms installed in their homes. Smart locks are Wi-Fi or Bluetooth-enabled devices that let home and property owners lock and open doors using a fingerprint, voice commands, or even remotely. It is important to ensure that the locksmith you hire is aptly qualified when dealing with these types of locks, especially considering that they do not function the same way as traditional locks. In many cases, installing, replacing, or repairing these smart locks will require I.T. and programming proficiency.

To this end, if your smart lock has been damaged, hacked, had its battery run out, or is malfunctioning in any way, be sure to verify that the locksmith you hire has the appropriate skill set, experience, and tools needed to rectify the issue effectively. Also, confirm that the locksmith is knowledgeable about the smart locks' specific operating technology as well as any recent manufacturer updates. Smart lock manufacturers typically combine the following types of operating technologies for their products:

• Mobile apps with digital keys for wireless door locking and locking
• Fingerprint sensors with biometric recognition and authorization for door locking and unlocking
• Programmable numeric keypads with PIN codes for door locking and unlocking

Note that even though smart locks are increasingly becoming the preferred choice for many home and property owners due to their superior technology, convenience, and enhanced security options when compared with traditional locks, they still have certain disadvantages:

Leading makers of smart lock products that San Diego people like include:

• August
• Schlage
• Yale
• Kwikset
• Nest
• Lockly
• Ultraloq
• Level
• Wyze

Do You Conduct Background Checks on Your Employees?

The Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS) typically requires locksmith companies and locksmith employees who wish to operate in San Diego to submit to a mandatory criminal history background check before issuing them occupational licenses. However, it is also advisable to take further protective steps when searching for locksmith services in the city by making sure that the locksmith company you select routinely screens its employees even after they have been aptly licensed and registered by the BSIS. Professional locksmith companies in San Diego typically run the following kinds of background checks on both current and prospective employees:

• Criminal record checks: this entails getting in touch with regional, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to inquire about past criminal convictions and pending or ongoing court cases. This is usually one of the most common types of background checks done on locksmiths
• Civil court checks: this entails checking local and state court systems for any non-criminal lawsuits, claims, or judgments that involve the locksmith
• Credit checks: this entails looking into the locksmith's full credit history and typically involves checking for payment histories, unpaid bills in collections, bankruptcies, tax liens, recent credit inquiries, and civil judgments
• Driving record checks: this entails verifying the authenticity of the locksmith's driver's license and checking their driving history for DUIs/DWIs, license suspensions, or moving violations. This type of background check is typically done for locksmiths and other personnel who will be using company vehicles for official purposes
• Drug screening: this entails testing the locksmith for drug use and is typically conducted frequently and without any prior notification
• Education and employment verification: this entails confirming the locksmith's credentials, employment history, and previously attained work experience
• International background checks: these are background checks performed on locksmiths who have previously resided, studied, or worked abroad. They entail confirming educational and job experiences and looking up their criminal histories, if any

Always verify that the locksmith company you select conducts in-house background checks on its employees, especially those who will be providing your requested locksmith services. Additionally, request the names and descriptions of any locksmiths who will be sent to you, and make sure that they have proper identification before letting them into your home or vehicle. This is an effective way to ensure that only respectable and reliable locksmiths have access to your home or business, thereby lowering the chances of theft and robbery.

Finally, it is also a good idea to do your due diligence on any locksmiths and locksmith companies you wish to hire in San Diego before reaching any agreements with them. You can do this by

• Asking them for references of past clients that they have successfully served and contacting these references to get their reviews on the locksmith
• Looking the locksmiths up on platforms like the Better Business Bureau, Yelp, Google Review, and other similar review websites and social network platforms
• Checking local police, court, correctional facility, and other similar public records for any available information on the locksmith

Do You Provide a Warranty for Your Locksmith Services?

Professional locksmiths in San Diego typically offer two types of warranties to clients, namely:

• Manufacturer's warranties: these cover defects in the locks used for the job and are usually valid for up to one year or more. It should be pointed out that the client typically needs to reach out directly to the lock manufacturer to resolve any problems covered by these warranties. However, the chances of this happening are usually minimized by hiring reliable and skilled locksmiths that use high-quality locks when providing their services
• Workmanship warranties: these cover defects caused by the actual work done by the locksmith, who is also responsible for determining their validity period

Warranties are an essential part of locksmith services because they provide you with an extra level of assurance that the job was done correctly and with quality products, which will also function as intended. As such, you should always confirm that your intended locksmith offers warranties for their services before signing any agreements with them. Note that even though warranties may be implied or verbal, it is always a good idea to insist on getting a written one because this enables you to comprehend the warranty's terms and coverage options properly. Also, while the specific terms of manufacturer's and workmanship warranties typically vary by product and locksmith respectively, these warranties usually do not cover the following situations:

• Damages to the lock that are caused by failing to it per the manufacturer's specifications
• Damages to the lock caused by repairs from unauthorized locksmiths
• Damages to the lock caused by natural disasters
• Damages to the lock caused by misuse, negligence, or vandalism

To this end, you should always ensure that you read and understand the terms and conditions of any warranties you are offered to prevent situations that lead to them being voided.

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

San Diego-based locksmith companies are statutorily required to carry workers' compensation insurance for their employees. In addition, locksmiths in the city with state-issued contractor licenses that allow them to provide services worth $500 or more at a single worksite are also required to maintain a $15,000 surety bond. However, you should also make sure that any locksmith you hire in the city is covered by general liability and professional liability insurance, irrespective of the kind of license they possess or the cost of your requested locksmith services. Doing this ensures that you are not held liable for any accidents, bodily injuries, or property damage that occur during the job, as well as for any work-related flaws brought on by the locksmith's negligence, mistakes, or subpar service.

To this end, before finalizing hiring arrangements with prospective San Diego-based locksmith companies, request proof of insurance, and bonding where necessary, and authenticate these with the appropriate issuing organization. Also, confirm that the locksmith company's insurance plan includes liability insurance with minimum limits that can adequately cover third-party bodily injuries and property damage.

You can contact the California Contractors State License Board at (800) 321-2752 and the local district office of the California Division of Workers' Compensation at (619) 767-2082 to get additional information on the mandatory insurance and bond requirements for San Diego-based locksmith companies.