Why you should rekey the locks when you move in
Who else might hold a key to your new place, what rekeying actually changes, and when replacement is the better call.
Read the articleWashington, DC locksmith line
Ten locksmith services every property owner should know about
Most people think of a locksmith only when they are locked out. The trade covers a lot more, and knowing what is on offer saves money later.
- Price quoted before work starts
- Written estimate on request
- Ask the locksmith for ID at the door
1. Lockout service. Opening a house or apartment door, ideally without damage, once you have shown you live there.
02 Part 1
For homes
2. Rekeying. New pins, new key, same lock. The standard move after buying a house, changing tenants or losing a key. See the moving-in article.
3. Deadbolt installation. Many older District doors have only a keyed knob or an old rim lock. A deadbolt with a solid strike plate is the single most useful upgrade.
4. Lock repair. Sticking cylinders, loose handles and bolts that do not fully throw. Worth fixing before they fail outright.
03 Part 2
For cars
5. Car lockouts. Opening the car with an air wedge and long-reach tool, not a coat hanger. The car lockout article explains the method.
6. Replacement and transponder keys. Cutting and programming new keys when every copy is lost, including many chip keys and fobs.
7. Broken key extraction and ignition work. Removing a snapped key and repairing or changing an ignition that no longer turns.
04 Part 3
For businesses and special cases
8. Master key plans. Each person gets the keys they need; a manager key opens everything. Rekeying after a departure becomes one cylinder rather than every door. The commercial page covers this.
9. Safe and cabinet opening. For lost combinations and keys. Be aware that some methods damage the safe; the price sheet says so plainly.
10. Keyless and smart locks. Keypads and app-controlled locks on homes and suites, installed on doors that close squarely, with a mechanical backup key.
05 Part 4
What it costs
Every visit has a fixed trip charge. Each kind of job then has a starting price, and the final figure depends on the lock, the labor and any parts. The full price list is on this site, copied from the business's own sheet, along with the warranty periods for each kind of work.
06 Part 5
Where these calls come from
Rekeys and deadbolts dominate in rowhouse neighborhoods like Capitol Hill and Petworth. Whole-house single-key setups are common in Upper Northwest. Car calls cluster around busy avenues and garages everywhere. Whatever the job, ask for ID and a written estimate.
07 Questions
Questions readers ask
Which of these can be booked ahead?
Rekeys, deadbolts, repairs, master key plans and smart lock installs are usually planned jobs. Lockouts are not.
Is a smart lock as secure as a deadbolt?
A good one, properly fitted, can be. It still depends on the door and frame, and it should have a mechanical backup.
Can one visit cover several jobs?
Yes. Combining a rekey, a deadbolt and a mailbox lock in one visit means one trip charge.
08 Related
Keep reading
The truth about "best locksmith" claims
Why superlatives in locksmith ads mean nothing, and the handful of checks that actually protect you.
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Car lockouts: how a locksmith opens a car without harming it
Common causes of car lockouts, why DIY attempts damage modern doors, and what to have ready for the dispatcher.
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