Non-destructive entry first, always - and we re-key Schlage, Kwikset, and Baldwin locks on the spot while you watch
You get a price before we start. It does not change when we arrive. No surprises.
Trusted Residential Locksmith Nationwide
Residential locksmith work covers every lock on and around your home: entry doors, deadbolts, interior privacy locks, smart locks, and the keys that operate them. Most jobs we handle are either a security upgrade, a lockout, or a broken or worn lock that no longer functions reliably, as explained in The Complete Residential Locksmith Guide for Los Angeles Homeowners. We have done this work since 2007 under the Threshold Group umbrella, and the consistent feedback we get is that homeowners value knowing who is coming to their door before they open it. That is why every technician arrives in a marked uniform, carries a photo ID badge, and is sent to you by name and photo before the visit. If you need help now, call (910) 714-4287 and you will reach a live person, day or night, not a recording.
Key Takeaways
- Written price before work begins, every time. The number on the quote is the number on the invoice.
- Technicians are background-checked, identity-verified, and sent to you by name and photo before arrival.
- Every repair is covered by the 365-Day Done Right Promise. If it fails, the second visit is free.
- Live-person phone coverage 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
House Lockout
House Lockout is the term for the moment you discover you cannot get into your own home because the keys are inside, lost, or the lock has failed with the door shut. It is the most common residential emergency call we take, and it tends to happen at the worst possible times: early morning, late night, or with groceries in the car. We dispatch a technician quickly, but speed is not the only thing that matters. When we arrive, we show photo ID at the door before touching anything. Most standard house lockouts run roughly $95 to $165 for non-destructive entry, though the actual price is always delivered in writing before any work starts. Call (910) 714-4287 and a live person will give you an exact quote over the phone.
Non-Destructive Entry
We open most residential locks without drilling or damaging the hardware. That means you keep your existing lock and keys afterward, which usually saves you money. If the lock is damaged or worn, we will tell you before recommending a replacement and give you the price in writing first.
When Drilling Is the Only Option
Some high-security or badly failed locks cannot be picked and must be drilled out. The price is agreed on before we drill, never discovered after. The 365-Day Done Right Promise applies to the replacement work we do, so if the new lock fails within a year, we return at no charge.
Deadbolt Installation
Deadbolt Installation is the single most effective upgrade you can make to a residential entry door. A deadbolt is a separate locking bolt, operated by key or thumbturn, that throws a solid steel bolt into the door frame. Unlike a spring latch, a deadbolt cannot be slipped with a credit card or pried back with a flat tool. Standard deadbolt installation typically runs $120 to $220 per lock, including the hardware, depending on the existing door prep and the deadbolt grade you choose. We carry ANSI Grade 1 and Grade 2 deadbolts from Schlage, Kwikset, Yale, and Baldwin and install them to factory specification.
Reinforced Strike Plates
Most deadbolts are only as strong as the strike plate and screws behind them. We install the deadbolt into a reinforced box strike with screws that reach deep into the door frame stud, not just the thin jamb trim. That single detail is the difference between a door that holds under a kick and one that opens on the first try.
Smart Deadbolt Options
Many homeowners pair a mechanical deadbolt with a smart lock or choose a keyed smart deadbolt. We can recommend models that fit your existing bore pattern and integrate with your Wi-Fi or a Z-Wave hub. Every smart deadbolt we install is tested in front of you before we leave.
Locksmith Key Replacement
Locksmith Key Replacement is the term for cutting a new working key for an existing lock when you have no original to copy. That covers a lost key, a broken key snapped off in the cylinder, or a key so worn it no longer turns the pins. Because we are a full locksmith shop, we do not just copy the worn key and hope. We measure the key cuts, decode the cylinder if needed, and cut a fresh key to the factory specification so it operates smoothly. Standard key replacement usually runs $25 to $65 per key, depending on the keyway and blank, while a broken key extraction adds $45 to $95. We give you the exact price in writing before we cut anything.
High-Security and Restricted Keys
For Medeco, Mul-T-Lock, and Abloy high-security cylinders, key replacement requires owner verification and typically a security card or registration. We are authorized to cut and service these restricted keyways, which most hardware stores cannot touch. Bring your security card and identification and we handle the rest.
Rekey Instead of Replace
There is a common moment where a homeowner asks for key replacement, but what they actually need is rekeying: changing the internal pins so the old keys stop working. Rekeying a standard knob or deadbolt typically runs $18 to $35 per cylinder. If you suspect someone else has a key to your home, tell us on the phone so we quote the right work the first time.
Smart Lock Installation
Smart Lock Installation covers the mounting, alignment, programming, and testing of electronic keypad, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or Z-Wave locks on residential doors. The benefit is real: you can lock or unlock remotely, assign temporary codes, and see an access log. The catch is that retrofit installation is less forgiving than the box suggests. If the door prep, deadbolt alignment, or handling are off even slightly, the motorized bolt will jam and drain batteries. We install smart locks from Schlage, Yale, Kwikset, and other major lines, and our standard installation runs $150 to $250 per lock, not including the hardware itself. The written price is set before we begin.
Retrofit and Alignment Work
Most smart lock failures we see are not the lock’s fault. They are misaligned strike plates or an existing deadbolt hole drilled at a slight angle. We correct the door prep and alignment before mounting the smart unit, which prevents the constant “jam” and “low battery” complaints.
App and Code Setup
We set up the app on your phone, walk you through creating and deleting user codes, and test the door with you physically present. We do not leave until the lock opens and closes smoothly by app, by keypad, and by key. The 365-Day Done Right Promise covers our installation and programming; if anything fails within a year, we return free.
Locked Out of Apartment
Locked Out of Apartment is a more tense version of the standard lockout because apartment locks, building access policies, and emergency contacts all complicate the situation. You cannot always call a superintendent at 2 a.m., and some building managers take hours to respond. We open apartment doors for both renters and property managers, and we are often the first call after a management office closes. Standard apartment lockout entry typically runs $95 to $165 for non-destructive entry, depending on the lock type and time of day. The price is confirmed in writing before we touch the door, and you can call us any hour at (910) 714-4287.
Working With Property Management
Many apartment buildings have master-key or restricted systems, and not just any technician can legally service them. We handle the paperwork and verification with property managers, so renters do not get blamed for unauthorized lock changes. If your lease requires management approval, we help you get it before work begins.
Proof You Live There
Before we open any apartment door, our technician will ask for proof of residency: a lease, a utility bill, or a photo ID matching the unit. That policy protects both you and us. It also means we are slower to open a door for a stranger, which is exactly why building managers trust us.
Apartment Locksmith
Apartment Locksmith work goes beyond lockouts and covers the locks specific to multi-unit buildings: entry door cylinders, deadbolts, mailbox locks, storage unit locks, and restricted master-key systems. The job requires coordination with property owners, building managers, and sometimes other tenants in the same keying system, so it is less about selling a lock and more about protecting the building’s key hierarchy. Standard apartment lock changes or rekeying typically run $75 to $180 per cylinder, depending on the hardware and the level of the key system. We quote the full scope in writing before any work begins.
Master-Key and Restricted Systems
Most apartment buildings operate on a master-key system where each unit key is unique, but a single master key opens all common areas or all units. We service Medeco, Mul-T-Lock, and Abloy restricted systems and can extend or re-key them without collapsing the building’s key chart. This is specialized work, and it is part of why we are a factory-authorized shop.
Mailbox and Storage Locks
Lost mail keys and broken storage unit locks are constant in apartment life. We replace and rekey mailbox locks, including USPS-approved types, and service the padlocks and deadbolts on storage rooms and bike rooms. The pricing is flat per lock, and the written quote covers everything before we start.
Lost Key Replacement
Lost Key Replacement is the service you need when a house key, deadbolt key, or padlock key disappears and you cannot rule out that it fell into the wrong hands. Some homeowners lose a key on a walk and choose to cut a new one. Others lose a key with their address attached to it, and the correct move is rekeying, not simply cutting a copy. A standard lost key replacement runs $25 to $65 per key. Rekeying a standard lock so the old key no longer works runs $18 to $35 per cylinder, which is often less than people expect. We will talk through both options on the phone and give you the price up front.
When Copying Is Not Enough
If the lost key was on a ring with your address or inside a bag that also had your ID, do not just cut a duplicate. That old key still works. We recommend rekeying the affected locks, and we can usually do it in the same visit. The 365-Day Done Right Promise means if the new key or cylinder fails within a year, we come back at no charge.
High-Security Key Replacement
Lost keys for Medeco, Mul-T-Lock, or Abloy cylinders require a different process that involves your security card and owner verification. We handle that paperwork correctly, which protects the integrity of your restricted key system. A copy from a hardware kiosk cannot do that, and often will not even fit the blank.
House Key Locksmith
House Key Locksmith is the broad service category for everything that keeps your home’s keys working: house key copies, lock rekeying, key cutting from code, and replacement of worn or broken house locks. The reason it matters is that keys and locks wear together. A key that has been copied from a copy, run through a kiosk three times, and used daily for eight years may one day stop turning at the worst moment. Standard house key cutting runs $5 to $12 per key from an existing original, while code-cutting a key with no original runs $25 to $45. Rekeying a standard knob or deadbolt runs $18 to $35 per cylinder. Every price is written down before we start.
Code-Cut Keys Without an Original
When no key exists at all, we cut from the manufacturer’s depth and space code, not by tracing a worn copy. That produces a key that operates like new, not another copy of a copy that barely works. For older Schlage and Kwikset locks, we can often read the code from the cylinder, cut a fresh key, and fix a stiff lock in one visit.
Worn Locks and Worn Keys
Sometimes the problem is not just the key but the lock itself. Worn pins, a dry cylinder, or a loose tailpiece can make even a good key feel bad. We inspect the cylinder when we cut a key, and if the lock is failing, we tell you plainly and give a written price for repair or replacement.
Brands We Service
We are factory-authorized to install and service Schlage, Kwikset, Medeco, Yale, Baldwin, Mul-T-Lock, Sargent, and Abloy hardware, from residential pin-tumbler cylinders to high-security commercial systems. For Medeco and Mul-T-Lock, we can cut restricted keys and manage key-registration paperwork, which most hardware stores are not authorized to touch. For Baldwin and Yale, we stock OEM finish-matched parts and trim so a replacement lock matches the rest of your door hardware.
That breadth matters because residential locks are not all the same. A Schlage keyway is not interchangeable with a Kwikset, and a Baldwin mortise lock uses entirely different internals than a cylindrical deadbolt. Whether you have a Medeco high-security deadbolt, a Yale smart lock, or any other make, we can service it correctly with the right parts and the right key blanks.
Signs You Need a Pro Right Now
- Your key turns but the lock does not open dependably. That usually means a failing cylinder, a worn key, or a misaligned strike plate. What starts as an occasional stiff turn ends as a full lockout, often after business hours when it costs more.
- The deadbolt will not fully throw without wiggling the door. A deadbolt that does not seat fully behind the strike plate is not doing its job. You may be locking your door every night while the bolt is only halfway in, which a determined shoulder can defeat.
- You moved into a new home and do not know who has keys. Previous owners, their relatives, contractors, realtors, dog walkers. The list of unknown keyholders is long. Rekeying every exterior lock is the standard move, and it is inexpensive compared with the alternative.
- Your smart lock jams, eats batteries, or drops offline repeatedly. Nine times out of ten, the lock electronics are fine and the problem is mechanical alignment or door prep. We fix the underlying issue rather than selling you a new lock.
- You found evidence of tampering on a lock or door frame. Scratches around the keyway, a bent latch, or pry marks near the strike plate are signs someone tried to get in. We will inspect the full entry, tell you what we find, and quote the repair or replacement in writing before we start.
Our Process, Step by Step
- 1
You call and talk to a live person. No recordings and no chatbots. You describe the problem, and the person on the phone tells you exactly what to expect. We give you an honest price range on the call, so you have a number before anyone gets in a truck.
- 2
Your technician is sent to you by name and photo. Before the visit, you receive the technician’s name, photo, and arrival window. At the door, they show a photo ID badge and arrive in a clean marked uniform. If someone arrives who you were not told to expect, that visit is covered at no charge. That is the Threshold Standard.
- 3
We inspect and put the price in writing. The technician examines the lock, door, or key situation and gives you a written price for the work. That written number is the price on the invoice. No estimates that balloon, no surprise totals at the end. You approve the work before we start.
- 4
We do the repair or installation correctly. Depending on the job, we use a pinning kit, a code machine, a lock-picking set, or a door-prep jig. We install hardware to factory specification, test every function, and show you the finished work before we pack up.
- 5
You receive your written 365-Day Done Right Promise. Every repair is covered by a written guarantee for a full year. If the repair fails, a second visit is provided at no charge. You will also receive a receipt with the exact scope of work and the warranty terms in writing.
How Much Does Residential Locksmith Cost?
Residential Locksmith pricing varies by service, hardware grade, and whether you need an emergency visit. A standard house lockout runs $95 to $165 for non-destructive entry. Deadbolt installation runs $120 to $220 per lock, including standard hardware. Rekeying a standard knob or deadbolt runs $18 to $35 per cylinder, and lock changes run $75 to $180 per cylinder depending on the lock grade. Smart lock installation runs $150 to $250 per lock, not including the unit itself. Key replacement runs $25 to $65 per key, with broken key extraction adding $45 to $95. These are honest ranges based on the work we do every day, not teaser prices meant to get a truck to your door.
What actually changes the price? Three things drive most residential quotes: the lock type, the time of day, and the hardware grade you choose. A standard Kwikset knob is less expensive than a Mul-T-Lock high-security deadbolt. An after-hours lockout costs more than a scheduled appointment. The best way to avoid overpaying is to call us, describe the work precisely, and ask for the written price before anyone is dispatched. We will give you the full quote on the phone, and that is the number you pay. No call-out surcharge added on arrival, no bait-and-switch with the “unexpected complexity” routine. If the scope changes after we inspect the door, we give you a new written price before we touch a single screw.
Every estimate is free. The person who answers the phone can tell you the price for the job you actually need, not a vague range for “some locksmith work.”
Where We Work
Dunmore Locksmith serves homeowners and businesses across the United States through the Threshold Group network of independent local locksmith businesses. Each crew works in your community, carries the same background-check and photo-badge standard, and backs every job with the same 365-Day Done Right Promise. If you need our Residential Locksmith in Los Angeles, one phone number reaches a live person who can dispatch to your area at any hour.
Frequently Asked Questions About Residential Locksmith
Residential locksmith is the trade of installing, repairing, rekeying, and opening locks on homes, including entry doors, deadbolts, smart locks, and keys. It covers lockouts, lock changes, key replacement, and security upgrades for single-family homes and apartments, as detailed in DIY vs Professional Residential Locksmith: What’s Safe to Do Yourself. At Dunmore Locksmith, we have done this work since 2007 under the Threshold Group umbrella, with a background-checked technician sent to you by name and photo before every visit.
Most standard jobs take between 20 and 60 minutes on site. A house lockout is typically resolved in 10 to 30 minutes after the technician arrives. Deadbolt installation or smart lock installation can run 45 to 90 minutes depending on door prep and programming. We give you an arrival window when you call, and the written quote includes the estimated time.
Costs depend on the service: house lockouts run $95 to $165, rekeying runs $18 to $35 per cylinder, deadbolt installation runs $120 to $220 per lock, and smart lock installation runs $150 to $250 per lock. The price is always delivered in writing before work begins, and the quoted number is the invoice number. Call (910) 714-4287 for an exact quote for your job; estimates are free.
Yes, Schlage and Kwikset are the two most common residential lock brands in the country, and we install, rekey, and repair both daily. We stock OEM pins, springs, and key blanks for both, so a rekey or repair uses factory-spec parts rather than universal generic pieces. We also service Medeco, Mul-T-Lock, Baldwin, Yale, Abloy, and Sargent for homeowners with high-security or premium hardware.
Yes, our phones are answered by a live person 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Night and weekend dispatch does carry a higher service rate, and we tell you the exact price on the phone before we send anyone. You will know the number before you hang up.
Every repair is covered by the 365-Day Done Right Promise, a written guarantee that lasts a full year. If the repair fails within that year, we return at no charge. That is a specific written term on your receipt, not a vague satisfaction pledge, and it applies to every residential job we do.
For a lockout, wait by the door or in your car and have your ID ready; our technician will ask for proof of residency before opening the door. For installations or rekeying, have all the keys that exist for the property gathered in one place so we can verify the key system. For smart lock work, know your Wi-Fi network name and password so we can complete app setup during the visit.
Schedule Your Residential Locksmith Service Today
When your home’s security is the question, guesswork is the worst answer. Call (910) 714-4287 and you will get a live person, a straight price, and a technician sent to you by name and photo before you open the door. The estimate is free, the written quote is the final price, and every repair is covered for 365 days. We are available 24 hours a day, every day.
Written by Perry Osgood, Owner at Dunmore Locksmith, serving homeowners nationwide since 2007.