How Long Does a Locksmith Take?

Most locksmith jobs are far quicker than people expect. A mobile locksmith will usually reach you across metro Melbourne in around 30 to 45 minutes, and once on site, a standard lockout takes about 10 minutes, a lock change 20 to 30 minutes, and cutting a key just a few minutes. The timing depends on your location, the type of lock, and how busy the day is.

If you are locked out or need a lock changed, waiting is the worst part, so here is a clear breakdown of how long each stage actually takes, from a locksmith reaching your door to unpicking a lock, changing it, or cutting a new key.

How long does a locksmith take? A quick reference

Job	Typical time	Notes
Arrive at your location	Around 30 to 45 minutes	Across metro Melbourne, depending on your suburb, the traffic and the time of day
Unlock a home (lockout)	Around 10 minutes	Most standard house locks, opened without damage
Unlock a car	A few minutes	For a trained locksmith, safely and without damage
Unlock a business	5 to 10 minutes	Often similar to a front-door lock
Change a standard lock	20 to 30 minutes	Includes removal, cylinder work, refitting and key cutting
Cut a key	A few minutes per key	Usually done on site
Rekey with extra keys	Under 2 hours	A new mechanism plus additional keys

How long does a locksmith take to arrive?

The time it takes a locksmith to reach you depends mostly on where you are and how busy the roads are. Across metro Melbourne, most mobile locksmiths aim to arrive within around 30 to 45 minutes, with inner suburbs often quicker and outer areas or peak-hour traffic pushing it towards the longer end.

A few things affect the wait:

• Your location and distance from the locksmith’s current job or base.
• The time of day, with weekday peak hours (roughly 7 to 9am and 5 to 7pm) and major events slowing travel.
• Whether it is after hours, as availability can differ late at night, on weekends and on public holidays.
• Demand on the day, since a locksmith already on a job has to finish it first.

Our locksmiths operate day and night and aim to be with you as quickly as possible, and a good locksmith will give you a realistic time of arrival when you call rather than leaving you guessing. If your situation is urgent, it is worth understanding the difference between a standard mobile callout and an emergency one:

👉 Mobile Locksmith vs Emergency Locksmith: What’s the Difference?
👉 Emergency Locksmith in Kew

How long does a locksmith take to unpick a lock?

Here is a fact that surprises people: it can take anywhere between 7 seconds and 45 minutes for a locksmith to pick a lock. That huge range comes down to the lock itself.

The time depends on factors such as multiple locking mechanisms, whether the lock has anti-picking or anti-bumping protection, its age, and how it is positioned. In most cases, though, a locksmith can unpick a standard house lock in around 10 minutes.

The other scenarios vary a little:

• Cars are a different job, and a trained locksmith can usually unlock a vehicle in a few minutes, safely and without causing damage.
• Businesses depend on the lock, but many are similar to a front-door lock and take around 5 to 10 minutes.

Speed matters, but so does doing it without wrecking the door, which is exactly what a skilled locksmith is trained for:

👉 How Locksmiths Open Locks Without Damaging Them

How long does a locksmith take to change a lock?

Changing a standard door lock usually takes a locksmith around 20 to 30 minutes. That covers removing the old lock, disassembling the cylinder, fitting the new hardware and cutting keys to suit.

More complex jobs take longer. High-security locks, multiple doors, or a full security upgrade will add time, though the locksmith can give you a clear estimate once they see what is involved. If you have recently moved house, changing or rekeying the locks is one of the most common jobs we see:

👉 Do I Need to Rekey or Replace My Locks After Moving House?

How long does a locksmith take to make a key?

If you have lost your keys and a locksmith has let you back in, it is a good idea to have your locks changed and fresh keys cut so the missing keys can’t be used.

Most locksmiths cut keys on site, which saves time, so you can usually expect a few minutes for each key. It is common now for homeowners to want a single key for every entry, so cutting several keys to one design (known as being “keyed alike”) is a popular option that cuts down the number of keys you carry and could lose.

Put together, a new locking mechanism plus additional keys can typically be completed in under 2 hours.

Locksmith timing in Kew and greater Melbourne

o there you have it: cutting a key takes a few minutes, unpicking a lock around 5 to 10 minutes, changing a lock 20 to 30 minutes, and reaching you across Melbourne usually around 30 to 45 minutes. Most jobs are done and dusted far faster than the stress of a lockout would suggest.

VicLocks works across Kew and greater Melbourne, day and night, for lockouts, lock changes, rekeying and key cutting, and we will give you a realistic time of arrival when you call. For a clear idea of costs alongside timing, our Melbourne pricing guide breaks it down:

👉 How Much Does a Locksmith Cost in Melbourne?
👉 Do Locksmiths Charge Call-Out Fees in Melbourne?

Contact VicLocks today or call 0418 397 297, and we will let you know how quickly we can be there.

Frequently Asked Questions