Frequently Asked Questions

Locksmiths install, service, maintain and repair mechanical and electronic keys, locks, safes and associated hardware, and are required to be qualified and licensed. Reasons to use a locksmith include securing your home, office, premises, assets and valuables from unauthorised access or theft, satisfying insurance requirements, changing locks if you lose a key or move house, and getting back into a locked home or car with minimum damage and cost. You should always use a licensed and insured locksmith company to ensure the job is done correctly. Rekeying means keeping your existing locks but changing the pins inside them so any copies of your old key no longer work, saving you time and money. Most locks can be installed within 30 minutes, although this depends on the type of lock and whether any modifications are needed.

Yes, we can help – we offer an emergency 24/7 locksmith service and will be there whenever you need us. If your keys have been lost or stolen, you should change your locks, since insurance won't pay out if someone enters using a key; options include fitting new keys, rekeying your house, or replacing the lock cylinders. Whether a lock can be fixed or needs replacing depends on the particular lock – our specialists will review your case and recommend the best solution. We can match keys across multiple locks, but only if they share the same keyway or are made by the same company.

All parts are guaranteed for 12 months. If we don't have the blank key needed, we'll do our utmost to get hold of one for you.

Not all locks can be picked – some domestic and commercial locks are high-security and pick-resistant, making them safer. Keying your locks alike means you only need one type of key, saving time, while having two different locks on a door lets you control who has access by giving out just one key. You should change the locks when you move into a new home, since you won't know how many keys exist for the old locks or who holds them. Lock snapping is a method of forcing entry by snapping a cylinder lock; it can be prevented by ensuring locks are correctly fitted and fitting an anti-snap cylinder, and we recommend seeking professional advice if you're concerned.

Our specialist locksmiths use non-destructive methods to gain entry to your car, and in most cases we can cut a new car key even when none are available, though this depends on your particular vehicle.