Know what the estimate covers.

Have the actual address, unit or entrance ready. For locks, say how many doors are involved, whether a working key remains and whether the door can currently be secured. For a vehicle, give its year, make and model and whether the request is entry, a spare or a missing-key replacement.

For a garage door, describe its current position, movement and any visible change. Share equipment information only if it is safely accessible. An observation is helpful even when the cause is not yet known.

Ask whether the estimate includes any applicable visit, labor, hardware, parts or vehicle-programming charges. Confirm the number of doors or keys included and whether an amount is a complete proposed charge or depends on inspection. If you are considering owner-supplied hardware, discuss that before purchasing it.

A low opening figure is not enough information by itself. Ask what work it represents and which circumstances could change it. This page gives questions to use; it does not publish a universal price or fee schedule.

A difficult lock may involve hardware condition or door fit. A missing vehicle key may require different work from a spare when one working key remains. Ask what still needs to be checked and how a revised recommendation and amount will be explained before you approve additional work.

Make sure the agreed outcome is clear too: restored entry, a changed key arrangement, a fitted replacement or a specified repair. If a separate fault is noticed, ask whether it is included rather than assuming it is part of the original request.