10 Best Seattle Locksmiths

  • 918 E John St, Seattle • Capitol Hill
    Omar Shahine - have used them a few times now to re-key our home or key a lock.
    Yaprak DeCarmine - They've rescued me a few times after locking myself out. They've also changed the locks on my condo after each tenant. I definitely recommend these guys.
    Lora Shahine - They have helped us change locks. Great service
  • 7508 9th Ave NE, Seattle • Maple Leaf
    Liz Pearce - Howard is a pro.
    Laura F - Howard helped me - twice! - with a tricky mailbox lock several years ago. He was extremely helpful, knowledgeable, and friendly.
    Amy McCullough - Howard was terrific! Helped us plan ahead so we were prepared with the necessary materials and the right smart lock gear, punctual, friendly and overall just a great professional demeanor. Considering the last locksmith we had showed up packing a gun on his waistband (!), Howard had his work cut out for him and was great to work with.
    recommended by Boaz Ashkenazy
  • 7511 Greenwood Ave N 805, Seattle • Phinney Ridge
    Marston Gould - I have an older home with several mortise locks. Some might just replace with something modern. But Bjorn helped to fix these classic locks and bring them back to their original workings
    Frédéric Dubut - I can't recommend Bjorn enough. We ran into a bad issue with our front door handleset, and it turned out he had a blog post about our exact model, with recommendations on how to DIY the fix and everything. Unfortunately I'm not as crafty as I thought I was, so even following his instructions, I was not able, in fact, to DIY it ;-). But I did really appreciate that a professional would share his knowledge broadly, even if it meant potentially getting some less business.

    I sent Bjorn some pictures of the issue and he was able to book us within a week, gave us an exact estimate in advance and fixed it for a very reasonable price. I've only needed locksmith services twice in my life but next time I do, I will call him back in a heartbeat.
  • 1714 12th Ave, Seattle • Capitol Hill
    Flora Ku - Needed a small cabinet key copied - was in an out of the store in <60 seconds. FYI they don't take card payments under $5! I didn't have cash on me so they said to come back and drop it off next time I'm in the area 😭 Needless to say, they were kind and friendly.
    Neil Wechsler - They are skilled, professional and friendly. I have been using their services for at least 40 years and they still impress me.
  • 2232 NW Market St, Seattle • Ballard
    4.1k karma
  • Christopher Orndorff - A real craftsman. Takes the time to do the job right. Very good customer service, friendly. Reasonable prices. Usually punctual. He is so good that he is very busy, so plan ahead.
  • 4009 Gilman Ave W, Seattle • Magnolia
    Adam Doppelt - Local to Magnolia. He's responded promptly every time I've called and seems quite competent. Reasonably priced. What more could you ask for?
  • 401 Olympia Ave NE 302, Renton
    3.3k karma
  • 628 SW 151st St 1, Burien
    1.6k karma
  • 1107 23rd Ave S, Seattle • Central District
    1.4k karma

Tips for Avoiding Locksmith Scams

Many consumers think they're doing the right thing by searching online for a local locksmiths. However, what they may not realize is that locksmith scammers are controlling online directories by imitating legitimate local locksmiths.

In many cases, these locksmiths don’t operate local shops, and are run by call centers. Scammers have a tendency to quote a low price, but end up charging customers three times the quoted price. To avoid hiring one of these scammers, take the time to research the company first. Here are some tips to ensure you find a reputable locksmith.

1. Be Prepared

Research a locksmith BEFORE you need one and store the contact information in your phone. Unlike Google, Fresh Chalk locksmith pros are recommended by people in your community, so you know they are trustworthy!

2. Before You Call

Look for a reputable business name. A name such as “24 Hour Locksmith” or “AAA Locksmith” are probably not legitimate businesses. Look for local, neighborhood names you recognize or a family name. Check their website. Most scammers use 1-877, 1-800 or out-of-state prefixes.

3. When You Call

Pay attention to how they answer the call. Do they answer the call with generic “locksmith services?” Ask them the name of their business and make sure it matches where you think you called. Ask for a flat rate or quote range. Ask if they will have to drill the lock. It is extremely rare that a lock will have to be drilled. Be very wary of anyone indicating they may have to drill your lock.

4. When They Arrive

Ensure they are in a clearly marked business vehicle. Most scammers work out of their personal cars. Ask for identification and ensure the name on their card matches the company name and the name on the work vehicle. Also ask to see an invoice form before they start. Scammers often use blank forms or forms of other companies. Again, check the company on the invoice matches the company you called.

5. Support Your Local Locksmith

There are reputable, skilled locksmiths in the community. Unfortunately, the scammers have damaged the industry reputation. No legitimate locksmith is going to be able to unlock your car or your home for $19.95.

For more tips on how to spot a locksmith scammer, check out the Fresh Chalk Blog.