In my area its like 60/40 on car and home lockouts. I remember when i started i couldnt believe how many people actually locked themselves out of the house lol.
The issue with Car Lockouts is that so many people go through roadside that the tow guys generally just snag those lol A few days ago I had 4 straight residential lockouts on Smart Key locks haha… the LockTech Tool paid for itself that day haha
@@LockandKilo What area are you in? Do you think a mobile locksmith would have more success in a smaller metro compared to one with millions of people?
@@dacoldest3896 I’m in a rural area in California. It’s a hard one to nail down as a lot of people have roadside assistance, rental companies provide assistance etc.. plus their insurance often covers lockouts, so a lot goes to the big tow companies. Metro and larger areas you’ll compete with the scammer types and $35 lockout guys… rural you end up in the boondocks a lot so prices aren’t always flat rate across the board
@@LockandKilo Yep i was working for someone and im wanting to start my own mobile business and im open to going wherever. I was thinking about Dallas tx. More people but also more locksmiths but if i go to a city with like 200k will i get enough consistent work. I use to work with the isreali's. Their marketing on google is amazing lol
@@LockandKilo What lock tech tool are you referring to. I am just starting out as a mobile locksmith and I am familiar with the little key thing but what is the LockTech tool? I always thought that you could pick the lock open and then push in the tool and rekey it that way. Thank you for your answer.
About to be certified an was wondering should I start my business by doing one or maybe two different jobs. I really enjoy rekeying an probably do installs an of course making an selling keys. An also do you think since I will be buying a key machine should I also cut automobile keys since it can do it also or that will be a waste of money for start up. Thanks an advanced you help me alot
My advice is to always start out with what you know or specialize in and grow from there! A lot of guys try and go all in and become overwhelmed. I will say that commercial locksmithing is the golden ticket! Automotive is a world of its own and requires a decent amount of investing into as opposed to Res/Com. I do cut certain auto keys still, but I do not program them anymore. I only did that when I worked for other shops. It is good tho to always stock the most common Metal-Head Car Keys tho, those add up some good chunks of change!
This is true in many states actually.. the good news is you still need to pass an FBI Background check in those states and be finger printed. California is a state where you do not need prerequisites, but they recently changed the Licensing fee from $50.00 to $500.00. I am guessing a Locksmith scammed a politician in Sacremento to cause that to happen... lol - Kilo
@@LockandKilo it's $50 to become an employee. Unless you're sure it was a recent change, could be you saw one then the other. Like registering a security company costs more than just getting your guard card to work for one. Currently have my CA LS employee license because I'm looking to get into it, but also understanding my area isn't populated enough for me to likely find any work.
@@daxter8792 Ah, yeah I was referring to someone applying for their own individual License, not with a company. Such as the guys who used to pay $50.00 to get a License in their own company name. When I first started my own business it cost only $50.00 as well, then last year they sent me a letter stating that the fee went up to $500.00. I know colleagues of mine who work for other shops still pay $50.00. Sorry, I should have clarified that above, I was referring to scammers who open their own businesses above. - Kilo
@@LockandKilo knew you likely were referring to scammers who at least got a license so they seemed legitimate, but was asking since $50 to "start a business" seems low by California standards.
@@daxter8792 California doesn't have a lot of regulations on Locksmiths I learned when I applied for my license. It's not really listed with the other Trades and doesn't require a real apprenticeship. I was shocked I only needed a $50.00 License and Insurance to start-up. I remember thinking that would make it easy for scammers to start-up as well.. next thing I knew Cali raised it to $500.00. In some ways it makes sense, but many scammers do not even apply for the license and just rename themselves over night. - Kilo
It varies shop to shop as most shops compete with the kiosks/box store prices. $1.50-$3.50 is common for house key prices. Stamping depends on how many keys and exactly what is stamped. If a customer wants 2 house keys stamped "H", I don't charge. Shops charge anywhere from .25 cents-$1.50 depending on volume for example if the company wants 50 keys stamped "HKA, HKB, HKC" etc.. It really all depends on the situation most of the time or how elaborate/time consuming the stamps will be.
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It's been a year...did rekeys move up the list?
Looking for a list of essential auto blanks for a startup, obviously focusing on cars. Also the most affordable source(s). Thanks
Great video by the way
if you would start locksmithing in new york city what jobs would you start taking if you had to choose?
Thanks bro !
Thanks a lot, good man.
In my area its like 60/40 on car and home lockouts. I remember when i started i couldnt believe how many people actually locked themselves out of the house lol.
The issue with Car Lockouts is that so many people go through roadside that the tow guys generally just snag those lol
A few days ago I had 4 straight residential lockouts on Smart Key locks haha… the LockTech Tool paid for itself that day haha
@@LockandKilo What area are you in? Do you think a mobile locksmith would have more success in a smaller metro compared to one with millions of people?
@@dacoldest3896 I’m in a rural area in California. It’s a hard one to nail down as a lot of people have roadside assistance, rental companies provide assistance etc.. plus their insurance often covers lockouts, so a lot goes to the big tow companies.
Metro and larger areas you’ll compete with the scammer types and $35 lockout guys… rural you end up in the boondocks a lot so prices aren’t always flat rate across the board
@@LockandKilo Yep i was working for someone and im wanting to start my own mobile business and im open to going wherever. I was thinking about Dallas tx. More people but also more locksmiths but if i go to a city with like 200k will i get enough consistent work. I use to work with the isreali's. Their marketing on google is amazing lol
@@LockandKilo What lock tech tool are you referring to. I am just starting out as a mobile locksmith and I am familiar with the little key thing but what is the LockTech tool? I always thought that you could pick the lock open and then push in the tool and rekey it that way. Thank you for your answer.
will take this hot weather over the cold,,,
About to be certified an was wondering should I start my business by doing one or maybe two different jobs. I really enjoy rekeying an probably do installs an of course making an selling keys. An also do you think since I will be buying a key machine should I also cut automobile keys since it can do it also or that will be a waste of money for start up. Thanks an advanced you help me alot
My advice is to always start out with what you know or specialize in and grow from there!
A lot of guys try and go all in and become overwhelmed. I will say that commercial locksmithing is the golden ticket!
Automotive is a world of its own and requires a decent amount of investing into as opposed to Res/Com.
I do cut certain auto keys still, but I do not program them anymore. I only did that when I worked for other shops.
It is good tho to always stock the most common Metal-Head Car Keys tho, those add up some good chunks of change!
I live in Indiana and I just found out that there are no prerequisites for becoming a locksmith in the state, and that's kind of scary.
This is true in many states actually.. the good news is you still need to pass an FBI Background check in those states and be finger printed.
California is a state where you do not need prerequisites, but they recently changed the Licensing fee from $50.00 to $500.00. I am guessing a Locksmith scammed a politician in Sacremento to cause that to happen... lol - Kilo
@@LockandKilo it's $50 to become an employee. Unless you're sure it was a recent change, could be you saw one then the other. Like registering a security company costs more than just getting your guard card to work for one. Currently have my CA LS employee license because I'm looking to get into it, but also understanding my area isn't populated enough for me to likely find any work.
@@daxter8792 Ah, yeah I was referring to someone applying for their own individual License, not with a company. Such as the guys who used to pay $50.00 to get a License in their own company name.
When I first started my own business it cost only $50.00 as well, then last year they sent me a letter stating that the fee went up to $500.00. I know colleagues of mine who work for other shops still pay $50.00. Sorry, I should have clarified that above, I was referring to scammers who open their own businesses above. - Kilo
@@LockandKilo knew you likely were referring to scammers who at least got a license so they seemed legitimate, but was asking since $50 to "start a business" seems low by California standards.
@@daxter8792 California doesn't have a lot of regulations on Locksmiths I learned when I applied for my license. It's not really listed with the other Trades and doesn't require a real apprenticeship. I was shocked I only needed a $50.00 License and Insurance to start-up.
I remember thinking that would make it easy for scammers to start-up as well.. next thing I knew Cali raised it to $500.00. In some ways it makes sense, but many scammers do not even apply for the license and just rename themselves over night. - Kilo
What you charge
How much do you charge for key copy and stamping?
It varies shop to shop as most shops compete with the kiosks/box store prices. $1.50-$3.50 is common for house key prices.
Stamping depends on how many keys and exactly what is stamped. If a customer wants 2 house keys stamped "H", I don't charge.
Shops charge anywhere from .25 cents-$1.50 depending on volume for example if the company wants 50 keys stamped "HKA, HKB, HKC" etc..
It really all depends on the situation most of the time or how elaborate/time consuming the stamps will be.