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’re not going to dance around the numbers. If you’re considering opening a Dunmore Locksmith location, you deserve a straight look at what it takes to get started. What follows are ballpark ranges based on what we’ve seen across Threshold Group markets. Your actual investment will depend on your territory, vehicle choices, and whether you’re converting an existing shop or starting fresh. Exact figures come later in the qualification process, in writing, the same way we handle every job quote.
Estimated Startup Investment
| Investment Category | Estimated Range |
|---|---|
| Franchise Fee | $35,000 – $55,000 |
| Equipment & Vehicles | $45,000 – $85,000 |
| Initial Marketing | $8,000 – $18,000 |
| Working Capital (3 – 6 months) | $25,000 – $50,000 |
| Total Estimated Investment | $113,000 – $208,000 |
The low end assumes a home-based or small commercial start with one used service van, basic key machines, and a modest initial territory. The high end covers a storefront location, new vehicle outfitted with factory key-cutting and programming equipment, and a broader marketing push across a larger metro area. Equipment runs to specialized tools: pin kits for rekeying Schlage and Kwikset cylinders, electronic key programmers for transponder automotive work, and the bench tools for servicing Medeco, Mul-T-Lock, and Abloy high-security hardware. Vehicles need secure storage for key blanks and hardware inventory, plus branded wraps that signal Threshold Verified before you even ring the doorbell.
What’s Included
- Brand license and territory rights – exclusive operating area where you’re the Dunmore Locksmith representative, backed by a name that means something in this trade
- Threshold Verified training program – technical instruction on residential and commercial lock systems, plus the customer-service protocol that sets us apart: how to send your photo and name before every visit, how to present your badge at the door, how to put every price in writing before any work starts
- Launch marketing package – local digital presence, branded materials, and the systems that put your name in front of homeowners who need to know exactly who they’re letting past their threshold
- Operational systems and software – scheduling, dispatch, pricing templates, and the 24/7 live-answer call infrastructure that means no customer hits a machine when they’re locked out at midnight
- Protected territory – defined geographic area where no other Threshold Group locksmith operates under the Dunmore brand
- Ongoing operational support – access to supplier relationships with Schlage, Yale, Baldwin, Sargent, and other major hardware lines, plus the backing of a network that’s been at this since 2007
Financing & Next Steps
Most owners don’t write a check for the full amount. Third-party equipment financing is commonly available for the vehicle and key-machine portion, and some owners secure SBA-backed term loans for the franchise fee and working capital. We’ve seen equipment lenders who understand the locksmith trade specifically, since your van and machines are tangible collateral with clear resale value. The qualification process starts with a conversation, not a commitment. We’ll review your territory of interest, your background, and whether the fit makes sense both ways. If it does, you’ll receive official disclosure documents with exact figures for your market and situation. No estimates at that stage – specific numbers, in writing, before any decision is required. That’s the Threshold Standard, and it applies to how we treat prospective owners the same way it applies to every customer call.
Call Perry Osgood at (910) 714-4287 to talk through your market and whether a Dunmore Locksmith location fits your plans. Or request the info kit below and we’ll send what you need to take the next step.
These figures are non-binding marketing estimates; actual investment varies by market and is provided in official documents during the qualification process.
Written by Perry Osgood, Owner & Lead Technician at Dunmore Locksmith, serving the Threshold Group network since 2007.