What actually drives the price
The biggest factor is the kind of key your vehicle uses. A basic metal key with no chip is the cheapest to replace because it is mostly cutting. A transponder key adds a chip that has to be programmed. A remote-head key or a push-to-start smart key costs more because the fob hardware itself is more complex and the programming takes more steps.
The second factor is whether you still have a working key. Adding a spare while you have one in hand is usually quicker and less costly. An all-keys-lost job means the car has to be convinced to trust a brand-new key with none present, which takes more time and sometimes bench-level work.
Year, make, and model matter too. Two cars that look similar can use very different security systems, so the honest answer is that we quote by your exact vehicle rather than guessing from a chart.
Locksmith versus dealer for cost
A mobile locksmith is usually the more affordable and faster route for most replacement keys. We come to you in West Palm Beach, cut and program on site, and you skip the tow and the wait that a dealer visit often involves.
The dealer route tends to be pricier and slower because you typically pay dealer labor rates, may need to tow the car in, and can wait for a key to be ordered. There are a few newer or luxury all-keys-lost cases that are dealer-level by design, and we will tell you plainly when that is the situation for your car.
How to get an accurate number
The fastest way to a real price is to call us with your year, make, and model, and let us know whether you still have a working key. With that, we can tell you the likely key type and what the job involves before we head out.
We give you the quote up front so there are no surprises. If your situation turns out to be one of the rare dealer-only cases, we say so honestly rather than starting a job we cannot finish.
Still have a key or fob question?
Tell us your year, make, and model and we will confirm exactly what your vehicle needs before we head out.