Frequently Asked Questions
These are the questions we hear most at Reliance Lock & Key, answered the way we’d answer them on the phone: clearly, without the sales pitch, and with the technical detail that actually matters. If your question is about pricing, timing, high-security hardware, or whether a rekey will solve your problem instead of a full replacement, you’ll find it below. Anything we miss, one call covers it.
We work across three lanes every day: rekeying and home security for owners, renters, and property managers; emergency lock response when something goes wrong fast; and automotive key replacement when the dealership route is slower or pricier than it should be. The same crew that rekeys a Kwikset deadbolt in the morning may be tracing a Medeco restricted-key system in the afternoon. That range is the point of this page.
Key Takeaways
- Rekeying is a security upgrade at a fraction of the cost of new hardware, and it’s the right move in most tenant-turnover and lost-key situations.
- We service eight major lock brands, including restricted high-security systems (Medeco, Abloy, Mul-T-Lock) that many general locksmiths can’t touch.
- We handle residential, commercial, and automotive work, plus emergency lock response, under one roof.
- Car key replacement here is a practical alternative to dealership key programming, and often faster.
- Call (855) 341-7491 for a free estimate before you commit to anything.
Pricing & Estimates
How much does locksmith service cost?
Locksmith pricing depends on the job, and we’d rather give you a real number after a quick conversation than pad a range that won’t apply to you. A simple rekey is one of the most affordable lock services you can buy, and it’s far cheaper than replacing hardware. Car key replacement varies by key type and vehicle, and it’s where the gap between us and a dealership is often widest. Emergency work carries an after-hours premium, which we’ll confirm before we roll. Call (855) 341-7491 and we’ll give you an exact estimate for what you actually need.
Do you offer free estimates?
Yes. We give free estimates on the work before we start, so there’s no surprise on the invoice. For straightforward jobs we can usually quote over the phone once we know the lock brand and the door setup. For high-security or commercial systems, we may need one question or two more before we commit to a number, and we’ll tell you why. Either way, the estimate is free and there’s no pressure to book on the spot.
Is it cheaper to repair or replace a lock?
Repair or rekey is cheaper than replacement in the huge majority of cases. If the lock body is sound and the hardware is intact, rekeying changes who can open the door without throwing away a good deadbolt. Replacement only makes sense when the lock is physically failing, badly mismatched to the door, or you’re moving up to restricted high-security hardware like Medeco or Mul-T-Lock. We’ll walk your door and give you the honest call, which sometimes means telling you not to replace.
Why is rekeying cheaper than replacing locks?
Rekeying is cheaper because you keep the existing hardware and only change the internal pins so old keys stop working. That means no new lock to buy, no new holes in the door, and no labor to fit a new mechanism. For a homeowner after a move or a landlord between tenants, it delivers the same security result: the previous keys no longer open the door. It’s the “rekey, don’t replace” logic we lead with, and it’s why so many of our calls end with a rekey instead of a full swap.
Do you charge more for emergency or after-hours work?
Yes, emergency and after-hours service carries an additional charge over standard daytime rates. We think you deserve to know that before we dispatch, so the estimate you get on the phone is the estimate you pay. When the situation is genuinely urgent, waiting until morning isn’t always an option, and our job is to get you back inside or back on the road without leaving you guessing about the bill. Call (855) 341-7491 and we’ll give you the number upfront.
Service & Scheduling
Do you offer emergency locksmith service?
Yes, emergency lock response is one of our three core services. It covers the situations that can’t wait: a lockout, a broken mechanism trapping you out of your own space, or a key that’s failed at the worst moment. Emergency work is where a calm, competent technician matters most, because panic is how people end up breaking a door or paying a rushed technician for a bad fix. We stay steady, we quote before we work, and we leave the lock functioning properly.
How fast can you respond to a lock emergency?
Response time depends on your location and the time of day, and the honest answer is that we’d rather set a realistic expectation than overpromise. When you call, we’ll tell you what the current wait looks like before you commit, so you can decide whether to wait or make another plan. It’s the “right answer, not just the fastest one” approach, and it holds up better than a number we can’t honor. Call (855) 341-7491 and we’ll give you a real time window.
Do you handle residential locksmith work?
Yes, residential work is a core part of what we do, from everyday Kwikset and Schlage deadbolts to premium architectural hardware like Baldwin and Yale. That includes rekeys after a move, lost-key situations, and upgrades to high-security locks. We work with renters who want a legitimate change of keys and homeowners who want to think through door security properly. If your door is misbehaving or your key situation has changed, a quick conversation tells us a lot.
Do you handle commercial and institutional locksmith work?
Yes, we work with commercial and institutional lock hardware as a matter of routine. That includes commercial-grade systems from Sargent, Yale, Baldwin, and high-security restricted systems like Medeco, Mul-T-Lock, and Abloy. Property managers and facilities teams call us when a master-key or restricted system has to be handled correctly, because a generalist who hasn’t been trained on that hardware can create real problems. If your building runs on a keyed system, we’re the call that doesn’t have to figure it out on arrival.
Do you handle automotive locksmith work?
Yes, car key replacement is one of our three main services, and it’s a real alternative to the dealership for key programming. Dealerships are set up for cars that come to them on a schedule; we’re set up for keys that need to happen today. The result is the same key that starts your car, with a timeline that respects your life. Visit our Car Key Replacement in Key page for the full picture on automotive service.
Do you handle lock installation and rekeying?
Yes, lock installation and rekeying both fall under our residential and commercial work. Rekeying is the one we talk about most because it’s the cost-smart security move: same hardware, new working keys, old keys retired. Installation comes up when the hardware itself is worn out or when you’re stepping up to restricted systems like Medeco, Abloy, or Mul-T-Lock. We’ll tell you which lane you’re actually in instead of selling you the bigger job.
Licensing, Insurance & Trust
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes, we’re a licensed and insured locksmith. That matters because lock work involves the security of your home, your business, and your vehicle, and you want a professional who stands behind the work and can repair what goes wrong. A licensed, insured technician also means you have real recourse if a lock fails after we’ve touched it. We’ll show you paperwork on request. If you’ve ever hired an unlicensed “locksmith” who left a worse problem behind, you know why this question is first on the list.
Do you guarantee your work?
Yes, we stand behind the work we do. If a lock we serviced or installed stops working the way it should, we make it right. Specific warranty terms depend on the service and the hardware, and we’ll spell those out at the estimate stage so there’s no ambiguity later. The Reliance name is a promise of dependability, and we take that seriously on every job, from a quick rekey to installing a full restricted high-security system.
How do I know you can handle my high-security lock?
You know because high-security systems are a specific part of our training, not a sideline. Medeco, Abloy, and Mul-T-Lock are patented, restricted-key systems that require specialized training and equipment, and not every locksmith is equipped to service them. We’re trained and equipped to work on all three. If your lock is restricted, ask the locksmith directly which restricted systems they’re trained on, and listen for whether they can talk about the brand specifically. A technician who’s comfortable with restricted hardware will answer without hesitation.
Do you work with restricted-key systems like Medeco, Abloy, and Mul-T-Lock?
Yes. Restricted-key systems are the top of our technical range, and we handle Medeco, Abloy, and Mul-T-Lock directly. These are the systems where the key blanks are restricted by patent and authorized dealers control who can cut a key. Working on them requires understanding how the system is organized, not just what tool fits the lock. That’s the difference between a locksmith who can find the lock and a locksmith who can service it correctly.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept the standard range of payment methods, and we’ll confirm exactly which options apply when you book. The important thing is that payment is straightforward and doesn’t surprise you at the end of the job. If you have a payment preference or need to arrange something specific, tell us on the call and we’ll sort it out before we arrive. Call (855) 341-7491 and we’ll answer the payment question along with everything else.
Specific Services
What areas do you serve?
We serve the local area around our home base, and if you’re not sure whether you’re inside it, the phone call answers it in seconds. Service radius and response time depend on the day and time, so we keep those details current rather than posting a number that ages badly. When you call, we’ll confirm coverage for your address before we book. Then we can give you a real response window instead of a guess. Call (855) 341-7491 to check your address.
How does lock rekeying work, step by step?
Rekeying replaces the internal pins inside your existing lock so your old keys stop working and your new keys do, without changing the hardware. It’s the practical middle path between a key that doesn’t turn and a lock that has to be replaced. Here’s the process, in order:
- We confirm the lock brand and type, because pins differ between consumer and commercial hardware.
- We remove the lock cylinder from the door, keeping the hardware intact.
- We swap the pin stack to a new pattern, so the old keys no longer operate the lock.
- We cut new keys for that pattern, and you leave with working keys.
- We reinstall the cylinder, test the lock several times, and confirm the door closes and locks cleanly.
One honest safety note: this is the kind of work we do on your door, not something we’d recommend learning on your own. High-tension and restricted systems are unforgiving, and a misassembled cylinder can fail exactly when you need it. If your lock has been tampered with or feels unsafe, stop turning the key and call us at (855) 341-7491.
When should I rekey instead of replace?
Rekey when the hardware is sound and your goal is security, not aesthetics. That covers the classic situations: you’ve just moved into a home, you’ve lost a key, tenants have changed, or you’re not sure who still has a copy. All of those are solved by rekeying, and none of them require buying new locks. Replace when the lock is actually failing, when the door setup needs different hardware, or when you’re deliberately stepping up to restricted systems like Medeco or Mul-T-Lock. We’ll tell you which category your door is in, even when the answer is the smaller job.
Can you help property managers rekey between tenants?
Yes. Property managers and landlords are one of our most frequent customers, because turnover rekeying is the single most predictable lock need in the business. Between two tenants, a full rekey gives you a clean, provable cutover: the previous tenant’s keys stop working, yours do. We can work through a turnover schedule rather than one door at a time, which keeps a multi-unit building on the same keying logic. If you’re managing a property, call (855) 341-7491 and we’ll talk through a turnover plan.
Can you replace a car key when the dealership can’t fit me in?
Yes, and that’s often the reason people call us. Car key replacement capability means you don’t have to wait on a dealership appointment to get a working key, which is a real advantage when the key has failed and your schedule hasn’t. You get the same result, a key that starts your car, with locksmith-level speed and accessibility. The Car Key Replacement in Key page has the detail, and a call gets you a quote. Back on the road faster than the dealership is the goal.
Which lock brands do you service?
We service eight major lock brands, and that range is the best answer to “can you handle my lock?” It spans everyday residential hardware through premium architectural to commercial and restricted:
- Kwikset and Schlage – the common residential deadbolts and handlesets most homes already have.
- Baldwin and Yale – premium architectural and commercial-grade hardware.
- Sargent – institutional and commercial lock systems.
- Medeco, Abloy, and Mul-T-Lock – patented, restricted high-security systems requiring specialized training.
From Kwikset to Medeco, one call covers it. If you have a brand not listed, ask us on the call, and we’ll tell you honestly whether it’s a job we can take. Head back to our home page to see the full range of what we do.
Ready to Book?
If you’ve read this far, you already know the difference between a locksmith who shows up and a locksmith who knows the hardware. We’re the second kind. Whether you need a rekey after a move, a car key that works today, an emergency response, or a restricted-system install, we’ll give you a straight estimate before we touch anything. Call Reliance Lock & Key at (855) 341-7491 for a free estimate and a calm, straight answer.
Have a question we didn’t cover? Call Reliance Lock & Key at (855) 341-7491.