Columbus Home Security Systems Columbus, OH

Columbus locksmiths open up about their businesses

As a locksmith, what are some of the services you provide?

Reed Sr.: "We install heavy-duty strike plates, deadlocks and entry sets. We remove broken keys from keyholes, open cars and set up master key systems for businesses."

Nice: "Rekeying, installing and selling locks. We also install panic bars."

Doerfler: "All lock services except for cars."

What's the most common request you get from customers?

Reed Sr.: "Somebody has bought a house and they want to change the keys so one key fits the whole house."

Nice: "Rekeying their locks and installing deadbolts."

Doerfler: "As far as residences go, probably rekeying."

Are there any types of jobs you won't do?

Reed Sr.: "We don't work on motorcycles or safes."

Nice: "If I can't do it, I won't do it. I probably won't sand a door so the door will shut, but anything with a lock, I'll try it."

Doerfler: "Cars, and I don't work on safes anymore."

How do you charge for the work?

Reed Sr.: "We have a service charge for coming out. For rekeying locks, it's $13.50 per keyhole."

Nice: "I charge a service call and then I have a set price for everything."

Doerfler: "My trip charge is $65. For rekeying, it's $15 per cylinder. For other things, it just depends on how long it takes. It's $40 an hour."

What's the average fee for customers locked out of their house, their car or their safe?

Reed Sr.: "It's $70 for a car or house. We can give them a price and an estimated time we'll be there."

Nice: "If you're locked out of your house, it'd probably be $38 plus tax. I don't do cars or safes."

Doerfler: "For a house, if I don't have to put any parts on, it's $105. Sometimes I don't charge for parts because I've got a good used part in my truck that I can just give away."

How many locksmiths work for your company?

Reed Sr.: "We have three. One specializes in cars, and one specializes in match-key systems. I do the rest of the stuff."

Nice: "Just me."

Doerfler: "Just me."