Losing the key or combination code to your safe can be quite frustrating and the cost of getting it opened can cost differently because different locksmiths charge different prices for their expertise and when it comes to unlocking safes.

Factors Affecting Locksmith Cost

Safe Types

Many locksmiths are setting up their service fee mainly by considering the type of safe they need to crack open and it is mostly breakdown like that:

Low-Security Home Safes
These lightweight safes have basic locking mechanism like a dial combination or a simple keypad and because of their simple design are often involves less complex methods to unlock them which can lower the price.

High Security Commercial Safes
Heavy duty commercial safes offer greater protection and mostly used to protect business valuable items, documents and cash . Opening these safes usually requires more advanced techniques and special equipment, which can raise the service cost.

Fireproof Safes
The fireproof interior layer helps protect your important items, but it also make this safe more tricky and complicated to crack. Locksmiths may need to be very cautious avoid damaging this lining and dealing with this kind of safe may be a little costly than all other safe type.

Safe Lock Types

Mechanical Combination Locks
The difficulty of opening this kind of safe locks can is simpler and with fewer dials to work it is easier to open, which can make it faster to access and as a result lower the price.

Electronic Locks
These locks offer upgraded security and are harder even for experienced technicians to open. If you forget the code or if the mechanism breaks, it requires a locksmith to have special expertise and the use of unique piece of ear to crack it open, which can make the service expensive than dealing with a regular lock.

Keypad Access Systems
Similar to electronic locks they can also be more expensive to service and hanging the code requires greater knowledge, special skills and much more advanced tools, which all together makes the service more expensive.

Service Options and Costs

Another factor that affect the cost of cracking open a safe depends on the method that is being used. As Non-destructive methods like lock picking are faster and cheaper, while destructive methods like drilling or cutting cost more because of the extra time and efforts also emergency services are more expensive because of the time commitment.

Average Costs

Home safes
Non-Destructive cracking open home safes can cost between $50 to $400.

High Security Safes
Because of their complexity and potentially destructive methods required the cost for cracking open commercial safes can significantly range $400 and above.

Fireproof Safes
Because extra care is needed to prevent damage to the fireproof lining of the safe, expect higher costs probably over $500.

Helpful Tips

If you need the help of a professional locksmith to crack open your safe, call during business hours and avoid paying extra fees for after hours emergencies. 

In order to get an accurate estimate as possible be prepared to provide your safe’s model, lock type and report if there are any damages on the safe itself as it can definitely help prevent unexpected prices. 

It is highly recommended to compare prices from different locksmith providers and find out which one that can work with better with your budget.