Non-destructive entry first, always - and we re-key Schlage, Kwikset, and Baldwin locks on the spot while you watch
You get a price before we start. It does not change when we arrive. No surprises.
Franchise Investment Overview
We believe in putting the price up front, and that starts before you ever sign anything. Here’s a transparent, ballpark look at what a Preston Locksmith & Security franchise typically costs to open. These are marketing estimates drawn from what independent locksmith startups and franchise concepts generally require, not a legal offering. Every market runs a little differently, and you’ll get your exact numbers in the official documents once you’re qualified. Nobody on our side hides the math, because that’s not how we work.
Estimated Startup Investment
The table below reflects realistic ranges for launching a locksmith operation with a vehicle, tools, initial marketing, and enough cash to operate while you build a client base. Keep in mind that some owners start lean with a single van, while others open with two technicians and a small retail counter. Your territory and local market conditions will move these numbers.
| Investment Item | Estimated Range |
|---|---|
| Franchise Fee | $35,000 – $55,000 |
| Equipment & Vehicles | $45,000 – $85,000 |
| Initial Marketing | $18,000 – $35,000 |
| Working Capital (first 6 months) | $45,000 – $80,000 |
| Total Estimated Investment | $143,000 – $255,000 |
Equipment and vehicles are the biggest swing factor. A single cargo van equipped with key cutting machines, pinning kits, and commercial cylinder tools runs on the lower end. Adding a second vehicle, a small storefront, or a mobile dispatch setup pushes you toward the top of the range. We’d rather you see a wide, honest spread than a lowball number that surprises you later.
What’s Included
Your franchise fee covers more than a logo. You’re buying into a system that has spent years figuring out how to book jobs, dispatch technicians, and stand behind the work. Here’s what the fee supports:
- Brand license and territory rights – You operate as Preston Locksmith & Security within a defined local area, with the Relay Home Co. name recognition behind you.
- Initial hands-on training – You and your lead technician learn residential locksmithing, commercial hardware, key duplication, and lock repair methods on Schlage, Kwikset, Medeco, Yale, Baldwin, Mul-T-Lock, Sargent, and Abloy equipment.
- Launch marketing package – Local SEO setup, Google Business Profile optimization, initial ad spend guidance, and a launch campaign built around the 365-Day Done Right Promise.
- Operating systems and software – Booking, dispatching, invoicing, and photo documentation tools that power The Relay Visibility Guarantee: live arrival times, before-and-after photos, and digital invoices.
- Field operations manual – Pricing guidance, job scoping checklists, and customer communication scripts refined across the Relay Home Co. family since 2008.
- Ongoing support and brand updates – Access to system-wide improvements, technical bulletins, and marketing assets as the brand grows.
Financing & Next Steps
We don’t offer financing ourselves, and we don’t pretend to be a bank. But third-party lenders commonly finance equipment and startup costs for franchise concepts like ours. Van and tool financing is straightforward through equipment lenders who work with mobile service businesses. SBA loans and franchise-friendly banks are another route, depending on your credit profile and liquid capital. Some owners also use a smaller business line of credit to cover early marketing until the client base builds. None of that is guaranteed, and none of it comes from us. What we do is put the real numbers in your hands so you can walk into any lender’s office with a clear picture of what you’re asking for.
Getting exact figures is simple. Call (409) 405-4485 and ask for franchise information. We’ll ask a few questions about your background, your target market, and your capital range. If there’s a preliminary fit, you’ll receive the official disclosure documents with the precise investment breakdown and the franchise agreement. No pressure, no four-hour phone calls, and no hidden fees to see the numbers. Kevin Yoon, our owner, will be honest with you about what this business takes and whether it makes sense for where you want to be.
All figures on this page are non-binding marketing estimates presented for informational purposes only. Actual investment amounts vary by market and are provided in the official disclosure documents during the qualification process.
Written by Kevin Yoon, Owner at Preston Locksmith & Security, serving customers since 2008.