What home calls usually look like
Getting in
- House and apartment lockouts
- Broken key extraction
- Garage and side-door locks
- Mailbox locks
Locks and hardware
- New locks and deadbolts
- Door viewers and handle sets
- Keypad and digital locks
Keys and control
- Rekeying after a move
- Spare keys cut on site
- Master keys for duplexes and small rentals
- Eviction lock changes, timed to the legal process
Lockouts without the damage
A locksmith tries non-destructive entry first. Some high-security or damaged locks do need drilling, and you should hear that, and the cost, before it happens. Expect to show ID or something with the address once you're inside.
Rekey when you move in
New keys tell you nothing about the old ones still out there. Rekeying swaps the pins so every previous key stops working, and it starts at $19.00 plus the service call fee on the price list.
Pick the right grade
ANSI/BHMA grades run from 1 to 3. For a front door or the door from the garage, a Grade 1 or a good Grade 2 deadbolt is the sensible choice. Grade 3 belongs indoors.
Renting?
Check the lease first. Landlords usually need a working key, and many arrange rekeys between tenants themselves.