Safe installation and opening: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What safe installation and opening is

Safe installation and opening covers two jobs: delivering and anchoring a home or business safe to the floor or wall, and opening a locked safe when the combination or key is lost. Both need care, because a safe is heavy and an opening must be backed by proof that you own the safe.

Signs you need it

  • You bought a safe, and it needs to be anchored to the floor or a wall before use
  • You lost the combination or the key and cannot open the safe
  • The keypad or dial has stopped responding or has failed
  • You are moving and need the safe delivered, leveled and anchored in the new space
  • You are taking over a property with a safe whose owner has changed, and the paperwork is in order

What the pro does

  • Check the safe's weight, the floor or wall it will sit on, and the route for delivery
  • Move the safe into place with the right equipment, avoiding damage to the floor and stairs
  • Set the safe level, and mark the anchor points on the floor or wall
  • Drill and set the anchor bolts, following the safe maker's anchoring system
  • For an opening, verify ownership, then assess the lock type and choose a method that minimizes damage
  • Test the safe after the install or opening, and explain how to reset the combination or change the code

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Weight and size of the safe, which set the equipment and crew needed
  • Floor type, and whether anchors go into concrete, wood or a wall
  • Access, including stairs, narrow doors and the size of any elevator
  • Lock type for an opening, such as a mechanical dial, an electronic keypad or a biometric lock
  • Whether the safe can be opened without drilling, or the lock must be drilled
  • Whether the combination or lock must be reset after the opening
  • Whether a new lock or keypad is needed after the opening

What a written quote should spell out

  • The safe model and weight, and the anchor type to be used
  • Delivery, placement and anchoring as separate lines
  • For an opening, the lock type, the method, and whether drilling is included
  • Any drill repair, replacement plate or new lock, listed separately
  • The proof of ownership check and the documents you need from the customer
  • Warranty on the anchoring and the workmanship, and who handles the safe maker's warranty

Questions to ask before you hire

  • How do you anchor this safe, and what does the maker recommend?
  • Will the floor or wall hold the safe, and do you check that first?
  • How will you move it through the door and the stairs?
  • For an opening, what proof of ownership do you need from me?
  • Can you open the safe without drilling, and what happens if you cannot?
  • Will you reset the combination or code after the opening?
  • What warranty covers the anchoring and any repair?

Red flags

  • They anchor a heavy safe to a floor or wall they have not checked
  • They open a safe without asking for any proof of ownership
  • They drill a safe before trying a non-destructive method
  • They will not explain the drill damage or the replacement plate before they drill
  • They leave the safe unanchored or only lightly bolted to the floor

What you can do yourself

A homeowner can measure the space, check the floor, and clear the path before the safe is delivered. Do not try to open a locked safe yourself with tools or drills, because you can damage the safe and what is inside it, and do not move a heavy safe alone. Call a pro for the anchoring and the opening, and check the safe's manual for the reset steps.

Licenses and permits

Safe installation and opening is commonly done by locksmiths, and some states and local areas license or register locksmiths. Check with your state or local licensing agency about the requirements. Anchoring into a structure may need a permit or a licensed contractor where local rules require one.

Safe installation and opening questions

Do I need to anchor my safe?

Many safe makers recommend anchoring, and an unanchored safe can be carried off. Ask the installer what anchoring the maker requires for your model and your floor.

Can you open a safe if I lost the combination?

Often, yes, but the locksmith needs proof that you own the safe and a method that fits the lock. Some safes must be drilled, and the locksmith should explain the damage and the replacement cost before starting.

Can a safe be moved to another floor of the house?

A safe can be moved, but the structure must be checked for weight and the path must be cleared. Ask the installer to inspect the new spot before you agree to the move.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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