SUREGUARD LOCKSMITH

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

 

Q: WHAT WILL I HAVE TO PAY TO WORK WITH A PROFESSIONAL LOCKSMITH?

 

Locksmith charges vary from company to company.  Certain companies charge more than others due to fixed and variable high overhead costs.  The locksmith industry is saturated with trained professionals that charge separate service call fees, add-on fees, on-site quotes, etc.  The problem with this model is that once the locksmith is dispatched and arrives at your location, if you do not agree on the quoted price, you will still have to pay the service call fee. 

 

SUREGUARD LOCKSMITH is different. We know how much customers hate costly surprises and that is precisely why we pride ourselves in providing upfront and transparent flat rate pricing. We offer a price list for most of our services on our website. The services that do not have a price and require a quote can be given over the phone & is complementary with no strings attached (may require a picture sent via email).

 

For example, we charge $89 to rekey up to 6 locks, provide two free key copies, and if you are a realtor, we also provide complimentary photos of the work order (before, during, and after).  There is no extra trip fee, and no extra charge for nights, or weekends.  If a customer calls us for a lockout, we charge $119, will rekey up to 6 locks, and provide two free key copies.  We frequently also work with realtors that hire us for evictions.  Our charge is $119 for evictions, which includes rekeying up to 6 locks, providing two key copies, as well as photos of the work order (before, during, and after).

 

Q: WHY ARE YOUR PRICES SO LOW?

We are able to provide low prices because we have a lower overhead than locksmiths that have a storefront, and therefore we are able to pass on the savings to our customers.  This does not affect the quality, service, or workmanship. In fact, we have a 100% satisfaction guarantee!

 

Q: WHAT DOES REKEYING A LOCK MEAN?

The simple answer is that it makes your current key (or lost key) no longer work and replaces it with a brand new key. The technical side of rekeying a lock requires changing the cylinder of the lock by replacing the pins. 

 

Q. WHY SHOULD I REKEY MY LOCKS?
There are many reasons you should rekey your locks.  This is similar to changing your password – for safety, security, and piece of mind.  For example, you purchase a new home, you rent/lease a new property, a tenant moves out, or your keys were lost or stolen.  Ultimately, you cannot really know everyone that has handled the keys to your property, or whether or not someone made a copy of that particular key.  If the key falls into the wrong hands, they may be used to enter your property without your permission.

 

Additionally, for convenience purposes, multiple locks can be rekeyed to work with one key vs. multiple separate keys.  This can prevent you from losing or misplacing other keys or forgetting to bring them along.  (For this setup to work, all your locks must be of a compatible brand such as Schlage, Weiser, Kwikset, etc).   

 

When a locksmith installs hardware such as new locks, you can request the locks to be “rekeyed alike,” in other words, all the locks operate from the same key.  If you decide to add additional locks at a later date, they can also be rekeyed to match the other locks or you can elect to use two different keys.

 

Q: WHAT CAN BE REKEYED?

Deadbolts, Doorknobs, Garage Door Locks, Front Gate/Side Gate Locks

 

Q: WHAT IF I NEED THE LOCKSMITH TO REKEY MORE THAN 6 LOCKS?

No problem! We can rekey additional locks at $15 per each additional lock.

 

Q: WHAT IF I WOULD LIKE MORE THAN THE TWO KEY COPIES THAT ARE INCLUDED WITH MY WORK ORDER? 

No problem! We can sell you additional key copies at $2.50/key. For additional key copies, you must let our office know how many additional copies you would like when placing a work order. 

 

Q: CAN I JUST PURCHASE A COUPLE OF KEY COPIES AND HAVE THEM DELIVERED TO MY HOME OR OFFICE? 

This will not be very cost effective through our company if all you are looking for is to make key copies.  Since we are a mobile locksmith company…we do come to you, but our minimum charge is $89 and includes other services with the two free key copies.  It would be more cost effective for you to order a work order plus the additional key copies or conversely, you can go to a local locksmith store that does key copies.

 

Q: ARE THERE ANY EXTRA CHARGES THAT MIGHT COME UP? 

If you require a new installation, we charge $85 to install the new lock. You can purchase the new lock on your own and have it ready for us, or inform our office prior to the locksmith’s arrival if you would like to purchase a new lock from us. If you purchase the lock from us, you will pay the $85 installation fee plus the cost of the lock.  If you need additional hardware such as a padlock, lockbox, or door latch, we can sell them to you or you can purchase them on your own.

 

Q: I LOST THE KEYS TO MY HOUSE, DO I NEED TO CHANGE MY LOCKS? 

This is a very common question.  Depending on the type of locks you have on your door, we may be able to simply pick the locks, without damaging your existing locks. Then, we rekey the locks we picked and give you two complimentary keys for $119. We will do everything possible to preserve the locks so that it does not need to be replaced.  However, if you have a lock that must be drilled or cut, you will have to replace the lock with a new lock.  We can sell you the new lock or you can purchase it on your own. If your lock was drilled or cut, we waive the $85 installation fee, so your charge will be $119 + new lock fee (if you purchase from us), and will include two free key copies.

 

Q: REKEY VS CHANGING LOCK

This depends on a number of factors. If you are looking to upgrade your lock, then you do not need to necessarily rekey if you purchase locks with the same key way/combination.  If you have a very old and/or damaged lock, it might need to be replaced, therefore, you would not need to rekey, but you would need to purchase a new lock and installation, which is more expensive than simply rekeying your lock ($85 for installation + cost of hardware vs $89 to rekey).  Remember, everything has a useful life.  At some point, it will not be worth it to repair the lock.

We commonly have customers ask us to upgrade their locks from Kwikset to Schlage or Medico. 

 

Q: WHAT IS A MASTER KEY SYSTEM?

The best and easiest way to explain master-keying is to think of a hotel. The owner has one key that fits everything – all the rooms, store-rooms, offices, etc. The office manager has a key that fits only the offices. The maids have a key that only fit the rooms. Then the guest receives a key that fits only the room in which they are staying. If one of the guests leaves and takes their key, then a locksmith can come and invalidate that key and re-key the room to a new key. This will not, however, affect the other keys.  Or if one of the house-keeping personnel leaves, the doors can be re-keyed to replace that key which will not affect the rest of the keys.

 

Q. DO YOU OFFER GIFT CERTIFICATES?

Yes, we do offer gift certificates. They make excellent gifts! 

 

Q. DO FORM OF PAYMENTS DO YOU ACCEPT?

We accept cash, check, credit card, gift certificates, and offer flexible account terms for REO agents.