Article

Locksmith Quote Negotiation Scripts

Updated October 11, 2026

Negotiate lines, not totals

A lump-sum quote hides the padding. Ask for parts, labor, and trip fee as separate lines — then negotiate each against its range with the quote checker open.

Scripts that work

Parts above range

“Which exact models are on this quote? I see this deadbolt at [retail] — can you match it, or should I supply the hardware and book labor-only?”

Labor above range

“What triggers the high end here — is it per-lock or flat? Can we fix per-lock pricing, and is haul-away plus the function test included?”

Trip fee stacked on high labor

“Your labor is already top of range — can the trip fee be credited against the work if I accept today?”

Walk-away lines

No firm price before arrival, cash-only, drilling first. Two comparable quotes beat one clever negotiation — model the DIY fallback with the cost estimator and DIY guide first.