Common Questions
The questions people actually ask us: what a job costs, how fast we arrive, why we check ID, and how to avoid locksmith scams. Can't find yours? Call (718) 568-6597 and ask.
How much does a locksmith cost in Bed-Stuy?
Car lockouts start at $65, home lockouts at $125, and business lockouts at $145. Rekeying is $95 for the first cylinder plus $25 each additional; lock replacement starts at $125 plus hardware. We confirm your exact price on the phone before dispatch — see the full table on our pricing page.
How fast can you get to me?
Most jobs in and around Bed-Stuy get a 20–40 minute arrival. We give you a firm ETA when you call (718) 568-6597, based on where our truck actually is — not a blanket promise. Farther neighborhoods like Greenpoint can take longer, and we say so up front.
Do you ask for ID before opening a door?
Yes, always. Before opening any home, we verify government ID plus proof you live there — a license with the address, a lease, or mail. For cars, we check registration or insurance. If you cannot show a right to enter, we do not open the door. That policy protects your home every other day of the year.
How do I know a locksmith is legit and not a scam?
Beware the $19 ad: it is a bait price. The "locksmith" arrives, declares your lock must be drilled, and demands $300+ cash. Real checks: a firm price quoted on the phone, a local address you can verify, a marked arrival, and ID verification before entry. We are a licensed and insured NYC locksmith at 492 Throop Ave, and our prices are published before you call.
Should I rekey my locks or replace them?
Rekey if the lock works and you only need old keys dead — after a move, a lost keychain, or a roommate change. Rekeying starts at $95; replacement starts at $125 plus new hardware. Replace when the lock is damaged, worn out, or low-grade on a street-facing door. We quote both options honestly on-site.
Can I change the locks on my NYC apartment?
Generally yes — NYC tenants may typically add or change a lock on their own door, but must provide the landlord a duplicate key on request or where the lease requires it. Check your lease first, since some spell out their own rules. We can rekey your door and cut the landlord copy in the same visit.
Can I put a double-cylinder deadbolt on my apartment door?
We advise against it, and NYC fire-safety rules do not allow key-both-sides deadbolts on required egress doors of multiple dwellings — in a fire, nobody should need a key to get out. A single-cylinder deadbolt with a reinforced strike plate and 3-inch screws gives you the security without the risk.
Will you drill my lock open?
Only as a last resort. We pick or bypass the lock first, which leaves it working and your keys valid — that is how most lockouts end. Drilling becomes necessary on some high-security cylinders and internally failed locks. If it comes to that, we explain why and quote the replacement before touching the drill.
What payment methods do you accept?
Cash, credit, and debit cards, paid when the work is done. You approve the exact price before work starts, and the receipt matches the quote. No cash-only demands — that is a scam red flag, not how a licensed shop operates.
What areas do you serve?
We dispatch from 492 Throop Ave in Bed-Stuy and cover Stuyvesant Heights, Ocean Hill, Crown Heights, Bushwick, Williamsburg, Greenpoint, and Prospect Heights — zips 11206, 11211, 11213, 11216, 11217, 11221, 11222, 11225, 11233, 11237, 11238, and 11249. ETAs vary by neighborhood; we give you a firm one when you call.
Do you charge extra at night or on weekends?
Late-night and holiday calls may carry a surcharge, and we disclose it on the phone as part of your quoted price — never as a surprise at the door. Daytime rates apply the rest of the time. Every rate, including after-hours, is listed on our pricing page.
Can I install a smart lock in a rental apartment?
Usually yes. Retrofit models like August replace only the inside thumb-turn, so the landlord key still works and you can restore the door when you move out. Check your lease first, and remember NYC tenants generally must give the landlord a key on request. Installation starts at $125 plus hardware.
My key broke off in the lock — what do I do?
Stop turning and do not dig at it — pushing the fragment deeper turns a simple extraction into a cylinder job. We extract broken keys from $85 without drilling, cut a fresh key on the spot, and check the cylinder for the wear that snapped the key in the first place.
Licensed & Insured
We are a licensed and insured NYC locksmith service with a local address you can verify: 492 Throop Ave.
Honest ETAs
Typical arrival is 20–40 minutes in and around Bed-Stuy. We give you a firm ETA when you call, based on where our truck actually is.
Upfront Prices
Every from-price is published on our pricing page, and your exact total is confirmed before work starts.