On-Site Lock Picking & Rekey

When our technician arrives, the first step is always ownership or tenancy verification — a valid ID matched to the address, a lease agreement, or a property deed. This protects you just as much as it protects the integrity of the profession. Once verified, the technician assesses the lock hardware in place. A modern Kwikset or Schlage pin-tumbler deadbolt can typically be rekeyed in minutes, resetting the internal pin stack so that every old key becomes permanently useless. A mortise lock — the rectangular, pocket-style mechanism common in older Los Angeles Craftsman homes, pre-war apartment buildings along Wilshire, and many commercial storefronts on Melrose — requires a more involved disassembly process, and our technicians are specifically trained on mortise lock service, not just the basic cylindrical hardware most people picture.

Rekeying is the fastest and most cost-effective path to new security when the lock body itself is undamaged and in good mechanical condition. Lock picking, performed by a professional only when a key is unavailable and you are locked out, is executed using industry-standard tools in a controlled, damage-free manner wherever the lock design allows it. In cases where a lock has been physically forced, drilled by an intruder, or is simply worn beyond reliable function, the technician will recommend a full replacement and walk you through the hardware options on the vehicle right then. You decide — nothing is installed without your approval and a confirmed price.

Not every locksmith vehicle carries the parts to service the full range of hardware found across Los Angeles. Our mobile units stock components for mortise lock systems, cylindrical door knob lock sets, rim cylinders, lever-handle commercial mortise trim, high-security Schlage B-series deadbolts, Kwikset SmartKey cylinders, padlocks, cabinet locks, sliding door locks, and more. For commercial clients — property managers on Ventura Blvd, retail owners in Burbank, medical office administrators in Tarzana — we also handle master-key system setup and rekeyings that coordinate across multiple suites or units. A commercial locksmith rekey after an employee termination or a key-card transition is a routine call for our team, and we handle it with the discretion a business environment requires.

Our emergency lockout services include: residential house lockouts, apartment lockouts, condo lockouts, office lockouts, retail storefront lockouts, storage unit lockouts, vehicle lockouts for cars and trucks, motorcycle lockouts, RV and camper lockouts, mailbox lock opening, deadbolt installation, deadbolt rekeying, mortise lock repair, mortise lock replacement, door knob lock installation, door knob lock rekeying, high-security lock upgrades, master-key system rekeying, padlock removal and replacement, filing cabinet lock service, safe dial and digital safe opening, garage side-door lock replacement, sliding glass door lock repair, gate lock installation, and key duplication on-site from an existing working key. That breadth of capability on a single dispatch is what we mean when we say we come to you fully prepared.

'Can I call a locksmith if I'm locked out of my house?' — absolutely yes, and it is the safest and most reliable path forward. Before you call, it is worth taking two minutes to check: is there a spare key with a neighbor, a family member, or your building manager? Is there a back door, side gate, or garage access you may have left unlocked? These checks cost nothing and sometimes solve the problem instantly. If those options are exhausted, do not attempt to force a window or door — property damage is expensive, and in an apartment building or shared complex it can create legal complications. Call 818-381-0663 instead. Our technician will arrive, verify your identity, and use professional, damage-free techniques to get you back inside, then discuss whether a rekey or lock change makes sense before leaving.

For residents of denser neighborhoods — Koreatown high-rises, North Hollywood apartment complexes, mid-century condos near Cahuenga Pass — being locked out can feel especially stressful because you are often in a public hallway or parking garage. Our technicians work efficiently and discreetly, completing the job on-site without drawing unnecessary attention. Once you are back inside, we are happy to walk you through the current condition of your locks and whether a mortise lock upgrade, a door knob lock replacement, or a simple rekey is the best next step for your specific door frame and security level. That consultation is part of the service call — not an upsell.

If you have just experienced a break-in, your first call should be to LAPD non-emergency (or 911 if a threat is still present) to file a police report — you will need that report number for your insurance claim. Once the scene is cleared and law enforcement has finished, your second call should be to us. A rekeying or lock replacement at that point is not just about peace of mind; it is a documented step your insurer may ask about. Our technician can assess whether the door frame and existing hardware were compromised during forced entry and advise on whether a simple rekey suffices or whether the lock body and strike plate need full replacement. In many older Los Angeles homes — particularly the wood-frame construction common in Reseda, Canoga Park, and East Hollywood — a strike plate reinforcement kit or a mortise lock upgrade dramatically increases resistance to future kick-in attempts, and we can handle all of that in a single visit.