Frequently Asked Questions - Locksmith
Straight answers to the questions Los Angeles homeowners and business owners ask us most. If you don't see your question here, call (682) 281-8985 and our live coordinator will connect you with the Loxley Locksmith & Security location that covers your address.
Pricing & Cost FAQs
A residential locksmith visit in Los Angeles typically runs $75 to $160 for labor, plus parts, depending on what needs to be done. A simple lockout usually lands on the lower end, while rekeying multiple locks or installing new deadbolts lands higher. The honest way to know your price is to get a written quote before any work starts. That's how Loxley Locksmith & Security locations do it every time. You'll get a real price range on the phone, and the full price is confirmed in writing before a single tool comes out. Call (682) 281-8985 to get your quote.
Rekeying a lock in Los Angeles generally costs $20 to $45 per lock on top of the service call, with most homes having two or three locks done at once. Rekeying changes the internal pins so old keys stop working and new keys take over. It's cheaper than replacing hardware when the locks are in good shape. Loxley Locksmith & Security locations quote the full rekey price on the phone before dispatch, so you know the number before we arrive. No call-out surcharge added at the door.
Replacing a deadbolt in Los Angeles runs roughly $90 to $180 per lock installed, depending on the grade of hardware and the condition of the door and frame. Entry-level deadbolts cost less, while Grade 1 security deadbolts from brands like Schlage or Medeco cost more. The labor usually takes 45 to 90 minutes. Every Loxley Locksmith & Security location writes the full price before work begins, so there's no surprise on the invoice. Call (682) 281-8985 and we'll quote your deadbolt job over the phone.
An emergency residential lockout in Los Angeles typically costs $75 to $140 for the service call and opening, assuming no damage and a standard lock. Hours matter here. Our locations are open Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM and Sunday 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM, closed Saturday. The price you're quoted on the phone is the price on the invoice. No dispatch fee surprises, no "gotcha" add-ons. Call (682) 281-8985 for an exact quote.
Los Angeles locksmith prices vary because of travel distance, the type of lock, whether parts are needed, and the time of day. But the biggest reason prices swing wildly is the bait-and-switch culture in the trade. A company advertises a tiny number, then charges triple at the door. Loxley Locksmith & Security locations work to the Kingswell Guarantee: a written price before any work starts, and that price is final. No games. Call (682) 281-8985 for a straight quote.
Yes. The price quoted on the phone is the price on the invoice, period. Loxley Locksmith & Security locations follow the Kingswell Way: say the price before the work, put it in writing, and honor it. If something changes once the technician sees the lock, we stop and get your approval on the new number before touching anything. You'll never be handed a surprise bill. Call (682) 281-8985 and ask for your written estimate.
Service & Process FAQs
A trained locksmith uses non-destructive methods first: picking tools, bypass tools, and specialized opening techniques that preserve the lock. The goal is to open the door without damaging the hardware. If the lock can't be opened non-destructively, a professional will drill it out and replace it, but that's a last resort. Loxley Locksmith & Security technicians are trained to protect your door and lock. Call (682) 281-8985 and our coordinator will connect you with the location nearest you.
Yes. A locksmith can make a key from a lock by decoding the pins inside the cylinder and cutting a new key to match. This is called originating a key. It works on most pin-tumbler locks, including Schlage and Kwikset hardware. The lock has to be accessible, but it doesn't need to be on the door. Our technicians do this regularly for older Los Angeles homes where every original key disappeared years ago. Call (682) 281-8985 to ask about key origination for your situation.
Arrival time in Los Angeles depends on traffic, distance, and how busy the schedule is that day. We give you a real arrival window when you call, not a vague promise. Loxley Locksmith & Security locations operate Monday through Friday 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM and Sunday 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM, closed Saturday. We don't promise instant arrivals that no one can actually keep. We promise a window, and we show up in it. Call (682) 281-8985 to get today's window.
Yes, our Los Angeles locations cut and program automotive keys, transponder keys, and many fobs. The exact options depend on your vehicle's year, make, and model. Some cars need dealer-level programming, while many can be handled on-site with the right equipment. Call (682) 281-8985 with your vehicle information and we'll tell you what's possible and what it will cost before you commit.
Yes. We install smart locks on Los Angeles homes and businesses, including models that work with keypads, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi. Popular brands we carry and install include Schlage and Kwikset. We also retrofit existing deadbolts by adding smart keypads where the hardware supports it. The installation is straightforward, but proper alignment matters more than most people think. A misaligned smart lock burns through batteries and fails early. Our technicians get it right the first time. Call (682) 281-8985 for smart lock advice and pricing.
Yes, for residential work you need to be there. An adult in the household must be present to verify the address and authorize the job. This protects you and us. The only exception is a pre-arranged commercial job where the property manager has provided authorization in advance. For any lockout or residential lock work in Los Angeles, plan to be home. Call (682) 281-8985 and we'll schedule an arrival window that matches your day.
Brands & Parts FAQs
We service and install most major brands, including Schlage, Kwikset, Medeco, and Abloy. We don't push one brand at every job. The right lock depends on the door, the building, and what you're protecting. For high-security commercial work in Los Angeles, we often recommend Medeco or Abloy cylinders. For residential, Schlage and Kwikset dominate because parts are widely available and the quality is consistent. Call (682) 281-8985 and we'll recommend hardware that fits your actual door.
Both are solid residential brands. Schlage tends to offer tighter tolerances and more security-focused designs, while Kwikset leads on convenience features like SmartKey rekeying that lets you change keys yourself in seconds. For most Los Angeles homes, either brand serves well if installed correctly on a solid door with a good strike plate. The brand matters less than the installation. A cheap lock installed perfectly outperforms a premium lock installed sloppily. Call (682) 281-8985 for honest brand comparisons.
Yes. Our Los Angeles locations have technicians trained on high-security lock systems including Medeco and Abloy. These locks use restricted keyways and patented key control, meaning keys can't be copied at a hardware store. They're common on commercial buildings, medical offices, and high-end residential properties. If you need keys duplicated, rekeyed, or the system re-pinned, we handle it through the proper authorization process. Call (682) 281-8985 to discuss your high-security needs.
Most smart locks bolt onto a standard door prep setup, which means the common two-bore pattern on the door's face and edge. If your door was built with standard deadbolt prep, a smart deadbolt should fit. Older Los Angeles homes can have unusual door thicknesses or shifted strike plates that complicate alignment. That alignment is the difference between a smart lock that works for years and one that eats batteries monthly. We check the door geometry before we recommend anything. Call (682) 281-8985 and we'll tell you what fits.
Licensing & Insurance FAQs
California requires locksmiths to hold a license from the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services and pass a background check. That's the state standard. Every professional working under the Loxley Locksmith & Security name is required to hold the license and insurance their state requires. When you work with one of our locations, you're working with a legitimate operator who answers to the state, not a mystery person with a drill. Call (682) 281-8985 and our coordinator will connect you with your local team.
Yes. Every professional working under the Loxley Locksmith & Security name is required to carry the insurance their state requires. That means if something goes wrong, there's coverage behind it. The Kingswell Guarantee adds a written promise on top: if a repair fails inside the guarantee period, we come back and fix it at no charge. You should never let an uninsured stranger touch your locks. Call (682) 281-8985 to work with a location that's properly covered.
Three red flags: prices quoted as vague ranges that balloon at the door, no written estimate before work starts, and technicians who want to replace every lock instead of fixing or rekeying it. A legitimate Los Angeles locksmith gives you a firm price on the phone, writes it down, and honors it. Loxley Locksmith & Security locations follow the Kingswell Way: say the price before the work, show up in the window we gave, and put the guarantee in writing. Call (682) 281-8985 for a straight answer and a written quote.
Emergency & Response FAQs
First, check for another unlocked door or window. Then call (682) 281-8985. Our coordinator will connect you with the Loxley Locksmith & Security location that covers your neighborhood. Wait somewhere safe, and don't try to force the lock yourself. Improvised entry methods break windows, damage door frames, and cost far more than a professional opening. Our hours are Monday through Friday 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM and Sunday 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM, closed Saturday. Call and we'll give you a real arrival window.
No. Our Los Angeles locations operate Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM and Sunday from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. We're closed Saturday. We'd rather tell you the truth than advertise hours we don't keep. When you call during business hours, you get a real human, a real price, and a real arrival window. When we're closed, we're closed. Call (682) 281-8985 during hours and our coordinator will connect you with the team covering your address.
Our schedule changes daily, so the honest answer is we give you a real window when you call, not a fake arrival promise. Los Angeles traffic is unpredictable, and any company claiming a guaranteed 20-minute arrival citywide is not being straight with you. What we commit to is showing up in the window we gave. Every location works that way. Call (682) 281-8985 and our coordinator will check the schedule for the team nearest you and give you today's window.
Warranty & Guarantees FAQs
Yes. Every Loxley Locksmith & Security location works to The Kingswell Guarantee: a written price before any work starts, a real arrival window, a clean job site, and a written guarantee on the work. If a repair fails inside the guarantee period, we come back and fix it at no charge. That guarantee is in writing, not a verbal hand-wave. You'll get it on the invoice. Call (682) 281-8985 and ask about the guarantee before you book.
The Kingswell Guarantee covers four promises, and they're the same at every location: a written price before any work starts, a real arrival window, a clean job site, and a written guarantee on the work. If a repair fails inside the guarantee period, we come back and fix it at no charge. It's not a marketing slogan. It's the standard every Loxley Locksmith & Security location agreed to work under. Call (682) 281-8985 and put us to the test.
Call (682) 281-8985. The written guarantee covers our workmanship and the parts we supplied for the guarantee period. If the repair fails inside that window, we come back and fix it at no charge. We don't dodge warranty calls or blame the door. The Kingswell Way includes this: come back if it fails. That's the promise, and it's in writing on your invoice. Call and our coordinator will connect you with the location that did the work.
Written by Sam Rourke, Owner at Loxley Locksmith & Security, serving Los Angeles and surrounding communities since 2007.
Still Have Questions?
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