Frequently Asked Questions

We service all of Albuquerque and the surrounding metro area including Downtown, Nob Hill, Old Town, Northeast Heights, Westside, North Valley, South Valley, Rio Rancho, Corrales, Los Lunas, Bernalillo, Tijeras, Edgewood, and Placitas. Our mobile locksmith units are strategically positioned throughout the area for fast 15-30 minute response times.

Yes! We provide true 24/7 emergency locksmith service, 365 days a year including nights, weekends, and all holidays. When you call (505) 288-1826, you speak directly with our dispatch team—not an answering service. We maintain the same fast 15-30 minute response time day or night.

Absolutely. We are fully licensed, bonded, and insured to provide locksmith services throughout New Mexico. All our technicians are background-checked, professionally trained, and certified. We carry comprehensive liability insurance to protect your property during service.

Yes! We provide free estimates over the phone for most services. For larger commercial projects or complex installations, we offer free on-site consultations. We believe in transparent, upfront pricing with no hidden fees or surprises.

We guarantee 15-30 minute response times for emergency lockouts throughout Albuquerque. Our mobile units are strategically positioned across the city. Most lockouts are resolved within 5-15 minutes once we arrive. For life-threatening situations (child/pet locked in car), we prioritize with 10-15 minute response.

Emergency lockout service typically costs $75-$150 depending on location, time, and lock complexity. Residential lockouts: $75-$125. Car lockouts: $85-$150. Commercial lockouts: $100-$200. We provide upfront quotes before dispatching so you know exactly what to expect.

No! We guarantee damage-free entry using professional lock-picking tools and techniques. For vehicles, we use specialized lockout tools that won't scratch paint. In 99% of cases, there's no damage whatsoever. If drilling is necessary (rare), we inform you first and can replace the lock on-site. Related: Avoid these 5 dangerous DIY lockout mistakes that people often make when trying to get back in themselves.

Yes! This is one of our most common safe service calls. We can open safes without the combination using specialized safe-opening techniques and tools. This includes mechanical safes, digital safes, gun safes, floor safes, and wall safes. We can usually recover or reset the combination so you can continue using your safe. Learn more about our safe opening services.

Safe opening costs vary based on safe type and complexity. Basic residential safes: $150-$300. Commercial safes and high-security safes: $300-$800+. The cost depends on the safe's size, security rating, lock type (mechanical vs. digital), and whether the lock needs replacement. We provide upfront quotes before starting work. Most safe openings are completed in 1-3 hours.

We use non-destructive safe opening techniques whenever possible to avoid damaging your safe. In most cases, we can open safes without drilling or causing any damage. However, some high-security safes or locked electronic safes may require minimal drilling. If drilling is necessary, we drill in specific spots that preserve the safe's security and can be easily repaired. We always discuss the approach before starting work.

Yes! We provide professional safe installation for homes and businesses. This includes proper anchoring to floors or walls to prevent theft, leveling for proper lock function, and setting up your combination. We install all types of safes: gun safes, jewelry safes, fire safes, floor safes, wall safes, and commercial safes. We can also help you select the right safe for your needs and security requirements.

We strongly recommend rekeying all locks within 24-48 hours of moving into a new home. Previous owners, real estate agents, contractors, cleaners, and others may have copies of the keys. Rekeying costs $20-$35 per lock (much cheaper than replacement at $100-$250 per lock) and provides the same security benefit—old keys won't work anymore. Only replace locks if they're damaged, worn out, or you want to upgrade to smart locks or high-security locks.

Yes! This is one of our most popular services. We can rekey all locks of the same brand (Schlage, Kwikset, etc.) to work with a single key. If you have different brands, we can either rekey them to match one brand or recommend replacing some locks to create a single-key system. Having one key for all your doors is much more convenient than carrying multiple keys, and it doesn't cost extra—you pay per lock regardless.

For maximum home security, we recommend Grade 1 deadbolts with at least a 1-inch throw bolt. Top brands include Medeco, Mul-T-Lock, and Schlage Primus, which offer pick-resistant and drill-resistant cylinders. For even better security, consider smart locks with built-in alarms (like Ring or SimpliSafe) that alert you to tampering. All exterior doors should have deadbolts, not just knob locks. We also recommend reinforcing strike plates with 3-inch screws into the door frame. We offer free security consultations to assess your home.

Rekeying a typical house with 4-5 locks takes 45 minutes to 1 hour including setup, rekeying each lock (10-15 minutes per lock), and testing all new keys. We can usually complete most residential rekeying jobs in a single visit on the same day you call. There's no need to schedule multiple appointments—we bring everything needed to complete the job efficiently.

A master key system creates a hierarchy of access control for your business. Employees get keys that open only their specific areas, managers get keys that open multiple areas, and you get a master key that opens everything. This provides better security control, eliminates carrying dozens of keys, and makes it easy to revoke access when employees leave. Most businesses with more than 5 doors benefit significantly from a master key system. We design custom systems for your specific needs.

Yes! We install and service complete electronic access control systems including keycard systems, key fob entry, biometric scanners (fingerprint/facial recognition), and keypad entry. Modern access control lets you grant/revoke access remotely, track who enters and when, set time-based restrictions, and integrate with security cameras. Systems start as low as $500 for basic keypad entry or scale up to $10,000+ for enterprise-level solutions. We'll assess your needs and recommend the best system for your budget.

We strongly recommend rekeying any locks that terminated employees had access to, especially if they had master keys or access to sensitive areas. This should be done the same day for maximum security. We offer same-day and after-hours emergency rekeying services. For businesses with frequent turnover, consider investing in an electronic access control system where you can instantly deactivate key cards or codes without physically rekeying locks, saving significant time and money long-term.

Absolutely! We schedule installations, rekeying, and other non-emergency services after business hours, on weekends, or during your slow periods to avoid disrupting your operations and customers. Many of our commercial clients prefer evening or early morning appointments. Just let us know your preferred timing when scheduling and we'll accommodate your business needs.

Car key replacement costs vary by vehicle and key type. Basic car keys: $50-$100. Transponder chip keys: $100-$200. Smart keys and key fobs: $200-$400. This is 30-50% less than dealership prices ($300-$600+). We provide exact quotes over the phone based on your vehicle's make, model, and year. All work is done on-site at your location with no towing costs.

Yes! Even if you've lost all your car keys, we can create new keys from scratch using your vehicle's VIN number and specialized key coding equipment. We extract the key code from your vehicle's computer system, cut a new key, and program it on-site. This works for most vehicles made after 1990. For older vehicles, we can pick the lock and create a key based on the lock cylinder. No need to replace your ignition or door locks.

Yes, we program key fobs for all push-to-start and keyless entry vehicles. This includes proximity keys, smart keys, and keyless ignition systems for all makes and models. Our mobile units carry the same diagnostic and programming equipment used by dealerships. We can program new fobs, reprogram existing fobs, or program replacement fobs. The programming process syncs the fob with your vehicle's computer so it starts the engine, unlocks doors, and activates all features.

Most car key programming and replacement jobs take 30-60 minutes from start to finish, including key cutting and programming. Simple transponder key programming might only take 15-20 minutes. More complex smart key systems (especially luxury vehicles like BMW, Mercedes, or Audi) can take up to 90 minutes. We complete all work on-site at your location—you don't need to wait at a dealership or return later.

Smart lock installation costs $150-$350 for labor, including physical installation, app setup, WiFi configuration, user code programming, and full training. The smart lock itself costs $150-$400 depending on brand and features. Total investment is usually $300-$750 for complete professional installation. We provide free consultations to assess your door and recommend the best lock for your needs and budget.

Most smart locks work on standard residential doors with existing deadbolts. They fit wood, metal, and composite doors. Some situations need special consideration: very thick doors (over 2 inches), non-standard bore holes, glass doors, or doors without existing deadbolts. Some smart locks (like August) retrofit over your existing deadbolt, while others replace it completely. We'll assess your door during consultation and recommend compatible options.

Yes, smart locks are secure when properly installed and configured. Major brands use bank-level encryption (AES 128-bit or 256-bit) to protect communications. While theoretically possible to hack, it's extremely difficult and requires sophisticated knowledge—far more effort than traditional lock picking or breaking a window. Smart locks enhance security through activity logs, instant alerts, temporary access codes, and automatic locking. The biggest risk is weak passwords or sharing access unwisely. We configure all security settings properly during installation.

Smart locks send low-battery warnings weeks in advance through the app. If batteries die completely, most models let you use a traditional key (keyhole included) or use a 9V battery externally to provide temporary power. Battery life is typically 6-12 months on 4 AA batteries. The lock operates independently—batteries only power the electronic features. If WiFi goes out, your lock still works locally; you just can't control it remotely.

We accept cash, all major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover), and debit cards. Payment is due upon completion of service. For larger commercial projects, we can arrange payment terms.

Emergency lockout calls may have slightly higher rates during off-hours, but we don't charge excessive premiums. Scheduled services during business hours have standard rates. We believe in fair, honest pricing regardless of when you need us.

Lock rekeying costs $20-$35 per lock for residential. Most homes have 3-5 locks, so expect $60-$175 total for a full house. Commercial rekeying is $25-$50 per lock depending on lock type and master key system requirements. This is 70-80% cheaper than lock replacement.