Locksmith response time: 15-45 minutes during business hours (8am-6pm), 30-75 minutes after hours. Service times once on site: residential lockout 5-15 minutes, car lockout 5-20 minutes (depending on vehicle), rekey per lock 15-30 minutes (multiple locks get faster - 4 locks takes 45-75 min total), new lock installation 30-60 minutes.
- 20+Years on the Treasure Coast
- 5095-Star Google Reviews
- <30 minTypical Port St. Lucie Response
- $89-150Most Emergency Calls
Response Time: Getting There
Response time is the gap between your call and the locksmith's arrival. It's the part you're actually waiting through, so it matters most when you're locked out, standing in a parking lot, or waiting for a lock change before your ex returns the keys.
Business Hours (8am-6pm Weekdays)
Average response time: 15-45 minutes across the Treasure Coast service area. Variables:
- Location within service area: Port St. Lucie, Stuart, and Fort Pierce: 15-30 minutes. Vero Beach: 20-40 minutes. Outlying areas (Hobe Sound, Indiantown, Jupiter Island, Sebastian): 30-45 minutes.
- Current call volume: Monday mornings and Friday afternoons are peak times. A locksmith may be finishing a nearby job and arrive in 15 minutes, or they may be 3 calls deep and need 45.
- Traffic: US-1 and I-95 congestion during rush hours adds 10-15 minutes to routes that would otherwise be quick.
After Hours (6pm-8am, Weekends, Holidays)
Average response time: 30-75 minutes. After-hours calls compete with each other - the on-call locksmith handles emergencies sequentially. If two lockouts call at the same time, one waits while the other is served.
Faster response tip: call immediately, not after spending 30 minutes trying to DIY your way in. Every minute of self-help delay pushes your place further back in the queue. The locksmith is already dispatching to calls that came in while you were jiggling the credit card.
Service Times: How Long Each Job Takes
Residential Lockout: 5-15 Minutes
Once the locksmith arrives and verifies your identity (ownership or tenancy), the actual lockout service is fast. Most residential doors open in under 10 minutes.
- Basic knob lock: 2-5 minutes. These locks are vulnerable to several quick bypass methods.
- Standard deadbolt (Kwikset, Schlage, etc.): 5-10 minutes. Lock picking or bypass, depending on the specific model.
- High-security deadbolt (Medeco, Mul-T-Lock, Abloy): 10-15 minutes. These resist standard picking; specialized tools or techniques required.
- Smart lock lockout (dead battery): 2-5 minutes. Most smart locks have a physical key override or emergency power port (9V battery contact).
Car Lockout: 5-20 Minutes
Car lockout times vary significantly by vehicle age and make:
- Pre-2005 vehicles: 5-10 minutes. Older lock mechanisms respond to standard automotive tools (slim jims, wedges, long-reach tools).
- 2005-2015 vehicles: 8-15 minutes. Improved security requires more precise tool placement.
- 2015+ vehicles with anti-theft: 10-20 minutes. Modern vehicles have anti-theft window guards, reinforced door frames, and electronic security that require careful approach to avoid triggering alarms or damaging components.
European vehicles (BMW, Mercedes, Audi) often take longer due to specialized lock mechanisms and door frame designs. Learn more in our guide on how long it takes a locksmith to open a car.
Lock Rekey: 15-30 Minutes Per Lock
Rekeying changes the internal pins so old keys no longer work and new keys do. The locksmith removes the lock cylinder, replaces the pins, cuts new keys, and reinstalls the cylinder.
- Single lock: 15-30 minutes (includes setup, disassembly, rekeying, reassembly, testing)
- Additional locks: 10-20 minutes each (pinning tray is already set up, keys are already cut to the new combination)
- Typical 4-lock residential rekey: 45-75 minutes total
- Full house rekey (6-8 locks): 75-120 minutes total
Keying all locks alike (one key fits all) adds no time - it's the same process. Learn more about the cost to rekey a house.
New Lock Installation: 30-60 Minutes Per Lock
Installing a new lock involves removing the old hardware, potentially modifying the door prep (boring holes, adjusting the mortise pocket), installing the new lock, testing operation, and adjusting the strike plate.
- Direct replacement (same brand/footprint): 20-30 minutes. Existing holes fit the new lock.
- Different brand/size: 30-45 minutes. Door modifications needed - the new lock may have a different backset, bore diameter, or face plate dimensions.
- Fresh installation (no existing prep): 45-60 minutes. Boring new holes through the door, cutting the mortise pocket, installing the strike plate with proper alignment.
- High-security lock installation: 45-90 minutes. Precision installation with exact alignment requirements. High-security brands have tighter tolerances.
Car Key Programming: 20-45 Minutes
Cutting and programming a new transponder key or key fob involves physical key cutting (or fob procurement), connecting to the vehicle's OBD-II port, and programming the transponder chip or remote to the vehicle's immobilizer.
- Standard transponder key: 20-30 minutes. Key cutting plus chip programming.
- Proximity key fob (push-to-start): 25-40 minutes. More complex programming protocols.
- European vehicles (BMW, Mercedes, Audi): 30-45 minutes. Proprietary security systems require specialized programming software.
See our detailed breakdown: dealer vs locksmith for car key programming.
What Slows Things Down
The times above are for standard, straightforward service calls. Real-world complications that add time:
- Damaged locks: A lock that's been forced, frozen, or corroded takes longer because the locksmith must work around the damage - or repair it before the service can proceed.
- Incorrect information: If you describe the lock type wrong on the phone, the locksmith may arrive without the specific tool or part needed. They carry extensive inventory, but unusual requests may require a parts run.
- Access issues: Gated communities that require gate codes, multi-story buildings without elevator access, or commercial properties with security protocols all add time before the locksmith even reaches your door.
- Identification verification: For lockouts, the locksmith verifies you're authorized to enter. If you have no ID at the locked property, the verification process takes additional time.
How to Minimize Wait Time
- Call immediately: Don't spend 20 minutes trying DIY methods first. The locksmith is dispatching to other calls while you're watching YouTube videos on lock picking.
- Know your location: Exact address, gate code (if applicable), building and unit number. Vague directions add response time.
- Describe the lock: Brand name (usually on the lock face), type (deadbolt, knob, smart lock, padlock), and the situation (locked out, need rekey, new install). This lets the locksmith prepare the right tools.
- Have ID ready: For lockouts, have identification that proves your connection to the property. This speeds up the verification step.
- Be accessible: Answer your phone if the locksmith calls for directions. Meet them at the gate if your community is gated. Small steps that prevent 10-15 minute delays.
Need a locksmith now? Call Treasure Coast Locksmith at (772) 758-1322 - 24/7 service across Port St. Lucie, Stuart, Fort Pierce, and Vero Beach.
Average response: 15-30 minutes during business hours.
Related Services
