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- Most safe techs try records and manipulation before they drill.
- A cheap fire box can cost more to open than it is worth. Ask first.
- Drilling makes one small hole in a set spot, and it can be repaired.
- Have the brand, model and proof you own the safe ready when you call.
- A new lock, dial or keypad is billed on top of the opening.
Prices by Method
How the safe gets opened sets the price. Fixr lists 140 to 450 dollars for safe opening overall. Opening by manipulation, where the tech works the dial by feel and sound, is 140 to 200. Drilling a fire safe is 200 to 250, an in floor safe 300 to 450, and a money safe 350 to 450.
ACME Locksmith cites a 2024 national survey that put the average safe opening at 414 dollars. Its own prices run about 300 dollars to drill a decent home safe, 450 and up for a burglary rated safe, and 750 or more for a high security safe. It reports flat rates as high as 1,500 dollars for the heaviest TL rated safes.
Our range for a straightforward opening is 150 to 400 dollars. Expect more if the safe has to be drilled and repaired.
What Drives the Price
The safe's rating matters most. A small fire box from a big box store opens fast. A burglary rated safe has hard plate and relockers built to stop drills, so the tech needs more time and better tools.
The lock type matters too. A keypad lock with a dead battery may only need a battery. A dial lock with a lost combination may open by manipulation. A failed lock may need drilling.
Where the safe is matters. A small safe you can bring to the shop costs less than a visit. A floor safe or a gun safe on site adds the service call.
Repairs are extra. ACME notes a new dial or lock is billed as parts and labor on top of the opening.
Try These First
Change the battery on a keypad safe. A weak battery is a very common reason a keypad stops working.
Call the safe maker. Many makers can look up a lost combination or send a new key if you can prove you own the safe. Have the serial number and a receipt or other proof ready.
For a cheap fire box, compare the price of opening it with the price of a new one. ACME says it will often break into a cheap safe for about 60 dollars, but the safe is not usable after.
What to Ask on the Phone
Give the brand, model and size, and say whether it has a dial, a keypad or a key. Say where it is and whether it is bolted down.
Ask how they plan to open it, and what each method costs. Ask whether the price includes the call out and a repair of any drill hole.
Ask for one total for the likely case and the worst case. A safe tech who has seen your model before can give you both.
Be ready to prove the safe is yours. A real safe locksmith will ask.
Where These Numbers Come From
Sources. These ranges come from public price pages we read on Fixr and ACME Locksmith, which cites a 2024 national survey of safe opening prices, checked against our locksmith cost guide.
One More Thing
Will the locksmith drill my safe
Not as a first step. Most safe techs start with records, factory settings and manipulation. If drilling is needed, they drill one small hole in a known spot and repair it so the safe can be used again.
Can a locksmith open any safe
Most locksmiths can open simple safes. High security and TL rated safes need a safe specialist. Ask on the phone whether they have opened your model before.
My keypad safe will not open. What first
Change the battery. Many keypads have an outside battery point or a backup key. If a new battery does not help, call the maker or a safe locksmith.
What if I lost the key to my safe
The maker may be able to send a new key if you prove you own it. A locksmith can also make a key or replace the lock, which is often cheaper than drilling.
Is it cheaper to buy a new safe
For a small fire box, sometimes. For a burglary rated or gun safe, opening and repair is usually far cheaper than a new safe.
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