Frequently Asked Questions

From our experience in the locksmith business, there are some questions that are asked by our clients again and again. Find answers to the questions so many are asking by reading on. 

 

• How do I locate and find an available locksmith near me?

We offer nationwide locksmith services. Our locksmith team is dispersed throughout every neighborhood in the country, so when you need our assistance, we can have one of our local locksmith technicians who are already in your area show up to assist you promptly. Simply call us at  (888) 415-1011 and our representative will dispatch the nearest local locksmith in your area to help you out.

 

• How do I go about choosing a properly trained and qualified locksmith?

When it comes to choosing a professional locksmith to service your home, car or business, it is absolutely crucial that he or she be fully trained, have lots of practical working experience, and have the proper certification to service your locks. We believe that these prerequisites are non-negotiable when it comes to dealing with your valuable property, which is why all of our locksmiths are trained, licensed and insured to service all your locksmith needs.

 

• I'm locked out of my house. How soon can a locksmith arrive to help me out?

Our emergency locksmiths are local which means they can reach you in less than 20 minutes of your calling us! We understand that if your home or office was broken into, or if you are locked out, you need our help as fast as possible. If you find yourself in an emergency situation, don't wait, call Authorized Locksmith immediately!

• Once your locksmith arrives to fix my lock, how long will it take him to complete the locksmith service?

The amount of time it takes to complete a locksmith task depends on what exactly the task at hand entails. For example: installing a mortice lock could take 40 minutes while retrieving keys that were locked in a car will likely take approximately 20 minutes. 

• Locked keys in the car! How soon can a locksmith arrive to help me out?

If you find that you've locked keys in the car, and need our assistance immediately, we can help! Our 24-hour locksmiths are all work locally and are all mobile, so they can come to you wherever you in under 20 minutes! If you find yourself locked out of the car, whether you are stuck at home or stranded on a highway, call Authorized Locksmith immediately to receive fast, professional emergency assistance and get back on the road again.

 

• What exactly is a master key system?

Think of a master key as an all-access pass. While specific individuals are allowed entry into their own apartment, or office using their own personal key, the person in charge of the master key will be allowed access to all the apartments in an apartment complex, or to all the offices in an office building. Master keys are very useful for landlords, office managers, and maintenance workers who need access to several rooms with different locks on their doors.

 

• I just bought a new house; do I have to change the locks on both the front and back door? I’m not exactly looking to spend extra money after a big move…

Well, the answer is both yes and no. while it is very important that the locks be changed in order to prevent people with previously made keys from entering your home, the same goal can often be reached by calling upon one of our specialists to help you out. Our expert locksmiths can perform a lock-rekey service in which they can reconfigure the pins or wafers inside the lock, and also cut you new keys. This process accomplishes the same task as actually changing the lock, without having to pay for a new lock to be purchased and then installed, saving you valuable money.

 

• Can a locksmith replace my broken window lock or must the entire window be replaced?

In most cases, we can easily replace your window lock which will save you a lot of time and money since it will prevent you from needing to replace the entire window. We repair and replace all types of window locks and there are lots of different types of window locks out there, for example, latches, lock, and key locks, window sash locks and more. It is very important that your windows remain secure at all times because they are your first line of defense agonist home burglars and our team is ready to help.

 

• I seem to have misplaced my car key and I have no backups. It is possible to make a new car key from scratch?

​If you've lost your car key and you have no way of getting back inside your vehicle let alone drive anywhere, there's no need to panic. Our automobile locksmith technicians have specialized tools that allow them to unlock your car door and then make you a completely new key from scratch, no matter what type of car key your car needs. Our locksmiths will not only be able to make you a new car key, but they are very experienced when it comes to programming your transponder keys so that you can get back on the road in no time.

 

• I'm looking to have locks replaced on an heirloom chest, do you work with antique locks?

We have expert locksmith technicians who not only work with antique locks, but can help provide you with replacement parts for your antique checks, padlocks, and heirloom locks for chests, desks, and wardrobes. When it comes to valuable and sentimental antique pieces, you should always call upon our certified antique locksmiths to help you out, to ensure that no damage comes to your prized possessions.

 

• What’s the difference between a transponder key and a keyless entry system?

The reason why many people confuse transponder keys with keyless car entry systems is that they are both usually located together in the head of the car key, while in reality, they are not at all the same thing. The keyless entry is that button that when pressed opens the car door, while the transponder key has a completely separate function. A transponder key is a small chip that is embedded inside the plastic part of the key. It “communicates” with the reader ring which is inside the car’s ignition, working as part of the car’s security system.

 

• My key got stuck when I turned it inside the lock, how can I get it out quickly?

If your key is jammed in your lock, you can always try to remove the key on your own. Remember though, that oftentimes, when homeowners try to remove the key with force, the entire key snaps in two. With half the key stuck inside, removing the key is an even bigger job to do. The broken key will also have to be replaced, which could end up costing you a lot more money to fix than had you fired a locksmith to assist you from the get-go.

To learn more about removing a broken key from home locks and broken car key extraction, check out our blog posts on the subject. 

 

• How much does a locksmith cost? I don’t want to spend a fortune on my home locks. ​

​The amount of money that we charge for our services varies depending on which locksmith services you require and which locks and key parts might need replacing. Our locksmith price table lists the general prices of our most popular services, and we'd be happy to provide you with a price estimate over the phone and a more precise price quote in person for your convenience. Our locksmith team has some of the lowest rates in the nation, so try us out- you won’t regret it!

 

• I want to add a surveillance camera to my home. Which is the best home security camera system to choose?

It's difficult to say for sure which system is the best for your home, as each security camera boasts specific features. It is important to think about what exactly you are looking to get out of your new security camera and to make your choice based on your particular needs. Our home locksmith experts can help you figure out the best home security camera system to meet you and your home.

 

• What happens if I call for a mobile locksmith, but once they arrive, I don't agree with the price?

With Authorized Locksmiths, you can cancel a call out during the initial phone call and no charges will apply. If you agree to the call out and when our locksmith arrives, they assess that the problem is more complicated than you originally thought, they will offer you a range of solutions so you can choose the most affordable option for your situation and you will be handed a written quote to sign before they begin the work. If at that point you choose not to use our services or to defer the work, then you will only be charged the minimal $19 call-out fee. And if you change your mind later, you can always call us back to book an appointment at a time that is convenient to you (24/7) and in that case, the second call out fee will be waved.

 

• My lock is frozen over - what do I do?

Call our Authorized Locksmiths and we can arrive quickly, defrost the lock and make sure the inner workings aren't waterlogged or damaged from the frost. There are a lot of DIY tips for how to defrost your locks, but they will only show you how to remove the frost from the outside of your house and car door locks. Usually, these methods will damage your locks or not address the frost or water that's stuck in the inner workings of your lock cylinder. This is means that a 'quick' DIY fix could end up costing you even more time and money. Do yourself a favor and call our professional locksmiths first for fast, affordable and long term locksmith solutions that won't create bigger problems in the future.

 

• I've lost the key to my houseboat - can you help?

If your boat is docked in the port, that's not a problem. Our mobile locksmiths can come to wherever your boat is docked along the East or West Coast and create a new houseboat or even speedboat key, even if you've lost the original.