FAQ
What people ask before they call a locksmith
Grouped by what you are dealing with: the call, the visit, the car, the house or the business.
FAQ
Calling us
What should I tell you first when I call about a car door that will not unlock?
Tell us which door will not open, what the key does, and whether the inside handle moves. Say if the key turns partway, sticks, or feels loose. If the remote button works sometimes, mention that too. We use those details to narrow the problem at the door and the key before we open it.
How do I describe a house lock that feels hard to turn?
Describe the key and the knob as you feel them. Say whether the key goes in all the way, whether it catches before turning, and whether the deadbolt throws fully. If the key is bent, worn, or leaves a marks on it, that helps too. Small changes in feel point us toward the cylinder, the bolt, or a worn key.
What details help most when my key is broken in the car door?
Tell us how much of the key is still visible in the slot, and whether the key snapped while turning or while pulling out. Say if the door is locked or already open, and whether any other key still works. That helps us plan the work around the keyway, the cylinder, and the piece left inside it.
When I call about a business door, what should I notice before I describe it?
Notice whether the key goes in, turns, or stops at one point. Say if the lever feels loose, if the bolt sits out, or if the latch slips back on its own. We also need to know if the key is a copy, worn smooth, or different from the others. Those details help us sort out the door and the cylinder.
How can I explain a fob or remote that acts up so you understand it?
Explain what the buttons do on the first press and on the second. Tell us whether the light on the fob comes on, whether the car responds at the door, and whether any spare fob works better. We use that to separate a weak fob from a programming issue and the key at the car.
FAQ
When the locksmith arrives
When you get here, what do you check first on my front door?
We check the keyhole, the thumbturn, and the spot where the bolt meets the strike. We look for a bent key, a sticky cylinder, or a bolt sitting off center. If you have a key, we try it first. If the knob feels rough or the deadbolt binds, we inspect the cylinder and the latch parts next.
At my car door, what do you look at first before anything else?
We look at the door handle, the key slot, and the lock cylinder right away. We check for a worn key, a jammed button, or a cylinder that turns unevenly. If the key is present, we test the fit first. We also look for signs that the door lock and the central latch are not moving together.
If my key goes in but will not turn, what do you inspect first?
We inspect the key, the cylinder opening, and the throat of the keyway first. We look for a key that is bent, worn, or cut wrong. Then we check whether the cylinder is packed with grit or feels stuck when turned by hand. If the key looks fine, we move to the lock body and the moving parts inside the door.
Before you work on my car lockout, what do you check on the door itself?
We check the lock button, the exterior key slot, and the door handle first. We look for a button that is down, a cylinder that feels loose, or a handle that does not pull normally. If the key is in the car, we still inspect the lock face and the door side before we open the car door.
When I have a stuck deadbolt, what do you want to see first at the door?
We want to see the key, the thumbturn, and the strike opening first. We look for a key that will not go all the way in, a turn that feels tight, or a bolt that sits against the plate. Then we check the cylinder and the deadbolt parts in the door for the source of the bind.
FAQ
Car keys and car lockouts
What do you do if I lock my keys in my car or trunk?
We open the car or trunk and make the latch accessible again. You may see the key on a seat, in the cargo area, or sitting behind a closed trunk lid. We work on the door or trunk lock itself and the key you cannot reach. No part of the sentence needs to name anything more than that.
If I lost my car keys, can you make a new one for me?
We can cut a replacement key and, when needed, program it for the car. You may be left with only an empty keyring, a worn spare, or no key at all. We work from the key that fits the door, the code at the lock, or the vehicle’s key data when that applies. The new key is made for the keyway and the fob.
Can you make a spare car key before I need one?
We can make a spare key from a working key or from the car’s key information when that fits the job. A spare lets you keep one key in your pocket and another in the glove box or at home. We also cut spare fobs and program them when the vehicle uses that style of key. That leaves you with an extra key and fob.
My key fob stopped working, but the key blade still fits. What can you do?
We can check the fob, the battery, and the programming, then work on the part that no longer responds. You may still turn the metal key in the door, but the remote buttons do nothing. We can cut a fresh blade, program a replacement fob, or replace the part that failed. The small buttons and the key blade stay in view.
If I lost all my car keys, what details help you make a replacement?
We need the vehicle key pattern, the year, make, and model, and the key or fob style the car uses. You may only have a door lock, a trunk lock, or a key fob shell left to show. We use that information to cut and program a new key. The work centers on the door key, the trunk key, and the fob.
FAQ
Homes and businesses
How do I know if my house lock needs rekeying or a full replacement?
Rekeying fits when the key turns the cylinder fine and you want old keys out of use. Replacing makes sense when the key sticks, the knob wobbles, the deadbolt drags, or the cylinder is worn. We can look at the keyway, the latch, and the face of the lock, then match the work to the parts showing wear.
Should I choose a keypad lock or a smart lock for my front door?
A keypad lock works well when you want a code on the outside and a simple thumb turn inside. A smart lock adds app control and more settings on the door itself. We check the bore, the deadbolt, and the door trim around the cutout so the new lock sits cleanly and the keypad lines up with the opening.
What can you do if my storefront lock or office key is sticking?
We can repair a sticking storefront or office lock when the key drags, the cylinder feels rough, or the latch does not catch cleanly. If a part has failed, we replace that part or fit a new cylinder. We also work on the keys and the door lock parts around the handle, deadbolt, and strike area.
How is a safe fitted in a house or business?
We anchor the safe in the spot you choose so it stays fixed to the floor or another solid surface. We look at the base, the mounting points, and the space around the door so the safe sits level and secure. We also make sure the safe is set where the door can swing clear and the key or handle stays reachable.
When should I have the cylinders in my house changed instead of just getting new keys?
Changing the cylinder makes sense when the old key is worn, missing, or shared too widely. New keys alone do not change who can use the old ones. We swap the cylinder in the knob or deadbolt and set it up with a fresh key pattern, so the key turns the same door from a new cylinder face.
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