It's late and you're home from work. Maybe you just picked the kids up from school or opened the door to grab a package. It's the last thing you want to happen, but this is the time your front door lock gives out. Your key jams. The lock's too rusted to close. Maybe you even notice that a burglar tried to kick it in and it's never going to be the same again. Rekeying isn't enough: You're gonna get a new lock this time.

Now you have a choice: Call in a locksmith to take care of the whole problem for you with a new lock installation or upgrade to a shiny, app-controlled smart lock with a DIY installation you take care of yourself.

Smart locks have a reputation for being pricey, so you may be wondering if they're worth the trouble, especially if you're on a strict budget. That's why I made some calls, did the research and found out how much a locksmith visit versus a new smart lock upgrade is going to cost you. Here's everything to know about what saves more.

Breakdown of locksmith fees for a lock replacement

The world of locksmith pricing can be daunting since prices can vary a lot by region and locksmiths aren't always clear about what a full service would cost, especially with standardized websites that don't properly reflect fees in your area. Most experienced locksmiths would prefer to give a specific quote for a full lock replacement. But you can learn a lot when fees are broken down into specific charges:

• A new lock: A traditional front door deadbolt and handle (usually installed together to match) will cost around $50 to $150. Front door bolts tend to be significantly more expensive than locks for other doors because durability and material quality are priorities. Features like a keypad or even smart features raise prices further. Less reputable locksmiths may also inflate the price of a new lock to pad their estimates, so stay watchful.
• The lock installation: Some locksmiths charge for specific kinds of services, such as between $50 and $100 for a lock replacement. Some charge by the hour, which was around $100 for the national average in 2023. If you have a metal front door (not common) or a metal plate to work around, it will cost extra.
• Visiting your home: Locksmiths charge an additional fee for driving out to your home. This is usually around $30 within 20 miles or city limits, but can rise higher for further distances.
• After-hours fee: If no one can be home to greet a locksmith during business hours, they'll probably charge an extra fee for evening, early morning or weekend visits, around $20 to $50.
• Location: These prices can vary based on your location too. In areas with a higher cost of living, expect to pay significantly more for home visit services (around $50 extra) than the national average.

Bottom line: A new lock installation from a professional should cost around $200 on the lower end and $350 on the higher end. Some popular service pricing sites like Homewyse put it much higher at $475 on average, but my research indicated a more conservative range, particularly if you stay within a locksmith's local service area and hours.

Breakdown of costs for a new DIY smart lock

Smart locks are designed to be DIY, meaning you can install them yourself with tools you have at home. They typically come with video tutorials, guides and charts to walk newcomers through the installation process. The high-tech parts of a smart lock are ready to go and don't require much setup beyond installing some batteries and connecting via the app. A screwdriver, a level and preferably a drill are about all you need.

In other words, you don't need a locksmith for a smart lock project. That means the only cost to consider is the price of the lock itself. They're more expensive, but are they more expensive than calling out a locksmith for a traditional lock replacement? Here are common examples by brand:

Bottom line: Buying a smart lock yourself and installing it tends to save $50 to $100 compared with bringing in a locksmith to do all the work. At the high end of service costs, and with an affordable smart lock, it could save as much as $200. And keep in mind, a lot of these smart locks go on frequent sales, so you can often find them with discounts to save more.

What about a smart lock retrofit?

A retrofit is a smart lock that goes over your existing deadbolt to control it with smart features. It's an easier installation that some people prefer if they already like their deadbolt (albeit a bit bulky). One of the most popular examples is the August Wi-Fi lock, which sells for $200.

Because it doesn't replace the entire deadbolt, a retrofit is usually less expensive. Expect to pay about $30 to $50 less for a retrofit compared with a completely new smart locks. It's a way to avoid additional expenses when getting smart features.

What about going DIY with a traditional lock?

There's nothing to stop you from buying a traditional, "dumb" front door lock and installing it yourself -- many homeowners just prefer to have a locksmith take care of all the trouble. The instructions on a classic lock aren't nearly as user-friendly, and you won't get any extra features, but it's easy enough with the right tools and the lowest cost out of all your options, around $30 to $50 for a budget front door deadbolt.

Of course, we're fans of getting remote control, autolocking and other important features that a smart lock brings to the table, but if you're looking for the absolute lowest-cost option, this is it.

For a complete look at home security choices, see if DIY security systems have lock options that fit your home, take a look at wireless home cameras, and find out how to stop porch pirates.