How much does Cabinet lock services cost?

Cabinet locks allow you to store prescription medications, confidential documents, and other sensitive items privately and securely. If you’re a parent, locking cabinets can prevent toddlers from getting their hands on cleaning products and other dangerous substances, and your teenagers from getting hold of your liquor supply. And in case of a break-in, secure cabinets can protect valuables in your home. 

Whether you need to install a lock in a cabinet that doesn’t have one, rekey an existing lock, or unlock a cabinet after the key has been lost, a professional locksmith can help. They can determine the best type of lock for your cabinets, and complete any lock project without damaging your furniture. 

In this guide, you’ll learn about the typical cost of hiring a professional for cabinet lock services.

To learn more, read How to hire a good locksmith.

The average labor rates for locksmith services are $50–100 per hour, or $150–300 per hour for emergency service during off-hours. Most locksmiths also charge a minimum service fee of $50–100, or up to $150 if you live in a rural area with long travel times.

The average national cost of any cabinet lock service is $190, including labor and materials. In some cases, it may be more cost-effective to replace an entire cabinet, especially if it’s inexpensive and not built-in.

Your specific cost will depend on the service required and type of lock involved. Here’s what you’ll pay for common requests.

Lockout service. If you lose your cabinet key and don’t have a master key, locksmiths typically charge $65–180 to unlock cam locks (cylindrical locks typically used for desks, filing cabinets, and drawers). 

Rekeying cabinet locks. If unauthorized people have access to an old lock, you may want to rekey it, which means changing the mechanism so that the old key no longer works. Professional locksmiths charge $40–160 to rekey locks in typical cabinets, which includes the cost of a new key. Keyless lock systems usually come with instructions for reprogramming access codes—but if you need a locksmith to handle it for you, expect to pay $40–100.

Installing new locks. The average cost of cabinet lock installation is $75–300, including labor and the lock itself. If an existing lock is broken, lock replacement costs $50–200, because it typically requires less labor. The type of lock will affect your total price—here’s what you’ll pay for each:

Installing electronic (keyless) locks. Purchasing a high-tech smart lock costs $150–500, although cheap versions can be found for less than $50. Installation by a professional locksmith costs $100–500. Here are typical costs for keyless locks, not including labor. 

Duplicating keys. A standard key copy generally costs $1.50–4.00. Prices may go up to $8–20 for high-security keys, especially if they require authorization forms. Having keys duplicated at a locksmith’s shop or hardware store typically costs less than having it done at your home. 

Extracting keys. If your cabinet key breaks inside the lock, locksmith prices for key extraction range from $20–150, depending on difficulty. 

The following issues can affect your cabinet lock service expenses.

You can trim your cabinet lock services costs by doing the following.

Can a filing cabinet lock be replaced?
A locksmith can replace a file cabinet lock for about $50–200, including labor and materials. Your specific cost will largely depend on the type of lock.

Can a locksmith make a key for a file cabinet?
Yes, you’ll typically pay $1.50–4.00 for key duplication, or $8–20 for new keys for high-end security locks. If a locksmith comes to your home to do the work, you may be charged a minimum service fee of $50–100.

Can you add a lock to any cabinet?
An experienced locksmith can install a keyed or keyless lock into virtually any cabinet. The typical cost is $75–300 for a regular lock and $100–800 for a “smart” lock, including labor and the lock itself. 

Find a professional locksmith in your area.