Locksmith Questions, Answered Straight
If you’ve got a lock problem, you probably want one thing: a clear answer, fast. This page collects the questions we hear most at Belmont Lock & Key, from what a lockout costs to which high-security brands we can actually service. No runaround. Read the answer, then call us if you still need help.
Key takeaways:
- We handle the three moments that matter most: getting locked out, replacing a lost car key, and rekeying a home or property after you move in or lose trust in the old keys.
- We’re trained and tooled to service eight lock brands, from Schlage and Kwikset to Medeco, Mul-T-Lock, Sargent, and Abloy.
- Rekeying is usually the smarter, cheaper move than replacing every lock, especially if the hardware is solid.
- Estimates are free. If you want the number before anyone touches a door, ask.
Pricing & Estimates
How much does locksmith service cost?
Locksmith service typically falls into a few bands: a basic residential lockout is often the least expensive call, a rekey usually sits in the middle, and car key replacement tends to run higher because of the programming and key blank costs. The exact number depends on the lock type, the brand, whether it’s an after-hours call, and what hardware you’re working with. A Kwikset deadbolt and a Medeco deadbolt are two very different jobs. We give you the price before we start, and the estimate is free.
Do you offer free estimates?
Yes, estimates are free. Tell us what’s going on (locked out, key won’t turn, lost the only fob, need a rekey before closing day) and we’ll give you a straight quote. For rekeys and installs, the estimate can often be given over the phone once we know the brand and quantity of locks. If the job needs eyes on the hardware first, we’ll say so.
Why is car key replacement more expensive than a house key?
Car key replacement costs more because modern keys carry transponder chips, and many also carry proximity fobs, that have to be programmed to your specific vehicle. It’s not a key cut at a hardware store; it’s a key that has to talk to your car’s immobilizer. That programming step, plus the cost of the key blank and the tooling, is what drives the price. We invest in that tooling on purpose, which is why car keys are a core service here, not something bolted onto a basic residential shop.
Is it cheaper to rekey or replace my locks?
Rekeying is usually cheaper than replacing, and it’s the better move if your lock hardware is already solid. Rekeying changes the pins inside your existing lock so old keys stop working and new ones take over. You keep the hardware you already paid for, and you change who has access. We only recommend replacement when the lock itself is worn out, damaged, or below the security level you actually need. Rekeying is the security upgrade most people overlook, and it’s the honest recommendation when it fits.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept the standard payment methods you’d expect for a service call, and we’ll confirm the options when you book so there’s no surprise at the end. If you have a specific method you need to use, tell us up front and we’ll sort it out before we dispatch. The price we quote is the price you pay; no add-ons once we’re on site.
Emergency & Response
Do you offer emergency locksmith service?
Yes, emergency locksmith service is one of our three core offerings. Lockouts don’t wait for business hours. If you’re standing outside your house, your car, or your business with no way in, that’s exactly the call to make. We bring the right tools for the lock brand on your door so the goal is to get you in without damage, not to force it and hand you a repair bill on top.
How fast can you respond?
Response time depends on where you are and how many calls are already in the queue, and we’ll give you an honest window when you call rather than a number we can’t back up. What we can promise is that we won’t string you along. We’ll tell you what to expect, and if we can’t get to you in a reasonable time, we’ll say so. Call (855) 473-2502 and we’ll give you a real answer.
What should I do while I wait for the locksmith?
Stay somewhere safe and visible, and don’t try to force the lock yourself. Picking, prying, or drilling a lock without the right tools usually causes damage that turns a simple lockout into a hardware replacement. If you’re locked out of a car, don’t try to wedge the door; modern doors and window frames bend easily. If you’re locked out of a home at night, wait somewhere well-lit. Keep your phone charged and stay reachable so we can find you.
Can you get me into my car without damaging it?
In most cases, yes. Car lockouts are handled with the proper entry tools for that make and model, and it’s not a coat-hanger situation. The tooling and technique depend on the vehicle, so tell us the year, make, and model when you call. Some vehicles are more involved than others, and we’d rather tell you that up front than guess.
Services & Hardware
Do you handle residential locksmith work?
Yes, residential locksmith work is a big part of what we do. That covers lockouts, rekeys, new lock installs, and upgrades from builder-grade hardware to something with real security behind it. We work with what you already have, from common brands like Schlage and Kwikset up through higher-security lines. If you’ve just bought a house and don’t know who else has a key, a rekey is the first call to make.
Do you handle commercial locksmith work?
Yes, we work on commercial locks and hardware, including the professional-grade brands that most locksmiths won’t touch. Medeco, Mul-T-Lock, Abloy, and Sargent all require specialized skill and tooling, and we’re trained and equipped for them. That matters for small-business owners and landlords who need master-key systems, restricted keyways, or hardware that holds up to real use.
Do you handle automotive locksmith work?
Yes, automotive locksmith work is a core service, and car key replacement is one of our three main offerings. That means transponder key cutting and programming, fob replacement, and car lockouts. We treat it as its own discipline, with its own tooling, rather than a side job tacked onto residential work. Details and vehicle coverage are on our Car Key Replacement in Key page.
Do you handle lock installation and rekeying?
Yes, we handle both lock installation and rekeying. Installation means new hardware on a door, whether that’s a fresh build, an upgrade, or a replacement for a lock that’s failed. Rekeying means keeping your existing hardware and changing the pins so old keys stop working. Same lock brand on the door, different result.
Which lock brands can you actually work on?
We’re trained and equipped to service eight lock brands across residential, commercial, and automotive categories. That range covers entry-level hardware all the way up to high-security lines most locksmiths won’t touch.
- Schlage – common residential and commercial hardware, widely installed.
- Kwikset – the everyday residential lock on a lot of homes.
- Yale – residential and commercial, including smart and connected locks.
- Baldwin – higher-end residential hardware with a decorative focus.
- Sargent – commercial-grade hardware, common in institutional settings.
- Medeco – high-security with restricted keyways and patented key control.
- Mul-T-Lock – high-security, often seen on commercial doors and premium residential.
- Abloy – high-security with disc mechanisms and restricted key systems.
The lock brand on your door matters, and so does the locksmith who knows it. From Kwikset to Medeco, we work with what you have.
What’s the difference between a standard lock and a high-security lock?
High-security locks like Medeco, Abloy, and Mul-T-Lock use restricted keyways, patented key control, and hardened components that resist picking, bumping, and drilling far better than a standard residential lock. The key control is the part people underestimate: you can’t just get a copy made at any hardware store, so you know who holds keys to your property. If you’re securing a business, a rental, or a home with something valuable inside, it’s worth talking through. If your hardware is standard, we can work with that too and tell you honestly whether an upgrade makes sense for your situation.
Trust, Coverage & Guarantees
Are you licensed and insured?
We’ll give you the straight answer on licensing and insurance when you call, and we’ll back up whatever we tell you. What we can say right now is that we’re a professional locksmith operation trained on eight lock brands, including high-security lines, and we take the work seriously enough to invest in the tooling and training that requires. If you need specific documentation for a commercial job or a property manager file, ask and we’ll tell you what’s available.
Do you guarantee your work?
We stand behind the work we do, and we’ll talk through what that means for your specific job before we start. If something we installed or rekeyed isn’t right, we want to know about it and we want to fix it. The best protection is getting the job done right the first time with the right hardware and the right tools, which is the standard we hold ourselves to.
What areas do you serve?
We serve homeowners, renters, drivers, and small businesses in our service area, and we’ll confirm whether your location is covered when you call. Response times vary by distance, so the sooner you call, the sooner we can give you a real arrival window. If you’re outside our coverage, we’ll tell you straight rather than take the job and leave you waiting.
How do I know a locksmith is legitimate before I let them work on my lock?
Ask three things before anyone touches your door: the company name, what brand locks they service, and whether they can quote you a price before starting. A legitimate locksmith will answer all three without hesitation and won’t pressure you into a more expensive job than you need. If a locksmith arrives in an unmarked vehicle, won’t give a price up front, or pushes a full replacement when a rekey would do, slow down. Ask questions. You’re allowed to.
The How-To: Getting Your Locks Handled, Start to Finish
Whether you’re locked out, moving into a new place, or rethinking your security, here’s how working with us actually goes. It’s a short process, and there are no surprises buried in it.
- Call us at (855) 473-2502 and describe the situation. Tell us what’s happening: locked out of the house or car, lost your only key, just moved in and don’t trust the old keys, or want an upgrade. The more detail you give (lock brand if you know it, vehicle year/make/model, how many doors), the more accurate the estimate.
- Get a free estimate before anyone is dispatched. We give you the price up front for the work you need. No bait-and-switch, no surprise add-ons once we’re on site. If the job needs to be seen before it can be priced, we’ll tell you that and explain why.
- We confirm a realistic arrival window. Response time depends on distance and current call volume, and we’ll give you an honest window rather than an inflated promise. Emergency lockout calls get priority.
- We bring the right tools for the lock on your door. That’s the difference brand fluency makes. Schlage, Kwikset, Yale, Baldwin, Sargent, Medeco, Mul-T-Lock, Abloy: we arrive equipped for what’s actually installed rather than improvising with generic tools.
- We do the work, explain what we did, and test it. You’ll know what was changed, whether it was a rekey, a new install, or a car key programmed to your vehicle, and you’ll see it work before we leave. If a rekey was enough, we’ll tell you that rather than selling you hardware you don’t need.
- You have a follow-up path if anything isn’t right. If something we handled needs attention, call us. We want to know and we want to make it right.
Brands We Work On
The range of locks we service is the clearest picture of what kind of locksmith we are. We handle entry-level residential locks and high-security lines with equal familiarity, and we don’t turn away a job because the brand is uncommon.
- Residential: Schlage, Kwikset, Yale, Baldwin, and Medeco for higher-security homes.
- Commercial: Sargent, Medeco, Mul-T-Lock, and Abloy for master-key systems, restricted keyways, and high-traffic doors.
- Automotive: transponder key cutting and programming, fob replacement, and car lockouts across major makes and models.
That covers the everyday hardware in most homes and the professional-grade lines most locksmiths won’t touch. If you’re not sure what’s on your door, we can identify it when we arrive.
Contact Us
Have a question we didn’t cover, or a lock that needs handling today? Call Belmont Lock & Key at (855) 473-2502 for a free estimate. Whether you’re locked out, locking down, or rekeying after a move, we’ll give you a straight answer and a real price before anyone touches a lock.
Have a question we didn’t cover? Call Belmont Lock & Key at (855) 473-2502.