Going a few hundred years back, Locksmithing is one of the earliest forms of security engineering. Lock picking was one of the first methods of cracking security systems. The first thing you probably think of when you think of a locksmith today  is getting locked out of your car, home or office. This is only the most common locksmith service, but a locksmith can do many things for your home as well. Unfortunately, most of these services happen under unfortunate circumstances: changing the locks to keep out unwelcome guests, being locked out of your home, and inspecting your house after a burglary, earthquake, or fire. Traditionally, locksmiths have been thought of as artisans. It’s easy to imagine the first locks and locksmiths being seen as having mystical powers. Today, new locks and locking technology have expanded the prerequisite knowledge of the locksmith profession exponentially.

Several locksmiths companies in New York, NY offer or specialize in 24-hour locksmith services. These locksmiths usually don’t make locks but perform lock-picking, lock repair, and other urgent keying services. If the worst happens and someone does break into your home, your first call is going to be to the police, but it’s very important to call a 24-hour locksmith as well. They may be able to tell you exactly how the perpetrator entered your home and sometime even have extensive knowledge that can help police in investigating any situation. Plus, your locks probably need to be replaced, anyway. If you’re unsure how secure your home is, you can hire a locksmith to test your entrances and give you an honest appraisal of your home’s security. Always ask to get an upfront quote on any services offered. Most locksmiths can not give you an exact estimate over the phone as the type of situations these folks completely varies and depends on many factors include the type of locks you have installed, the type and material of the door and frame, etc.

In case you move into a new home, rent a new apartment, lease new commercial space, fire an employee, change cleaning companies or for any other reason you may find yourself thinking about changing your locks or re keying them in New York. Even if you do get your keys back from previous owners, occupants, employees or contractors, they may have had the opportunity to make copies of the keys. You have no way of knowing how many duplicates may have been made, or by who. In many cases where you think a lock needs to be changed, you may also have the option of re keying the lock at a fraction of the cost and in a fraction of the time it would take to purchase new locks and installing them. Many home and business owners also use the re keying process in order to have one master key that will work on multiple locks in an establishment, home, apartment or business.

Re keying a lock is usually a cheaper way to go if the lock that you currently have installed is in good working condition. Furthermore the process of re keying a lock is much faster then installing a new one. A locksmith will be able to re key the lock for you and provide you with new keys, as the old ones will not work any longer once the re keying work is completed. It is important to note that some locks have higher security mechanism which may make the lock harder to re key. In some cases, it may not even be possible to re key a lock if it’s a lock that has a higher security level but any professional locksmith will be able to let you know if that is the case once they see the type of lock you have installed. In that case your best bet would be to purchase a new lock and have it professionally installed by a locksmith. Many locksmith companies in New York can provide you with new locks as well as install them for you. In most cases if you end up purchasing a new lock from a locksmith company they will install it for you for a cheaper rate then they will charge for installing a lock which you have independently purchased separately.

If you end up needing to replace your lock be sure to research various brands and type of locks. These days there’s a very wide variety of locks available to consumers with various security levels and mechanisms. Just be sure to always keep an extra set of keys at a secured location in case of emergencies.

While it is possible to re key a key yourself, it is not recommended as you may end up damaging the lock and therefore making it impossible to re key by a professional locksmith. Always consult a professional locksmith before attempting to re key a lock yourself.

A few simple tips can not only insure that you receive the service you are entitled to but will also help the locksmith expedite your service call as well as make sure that they arrived prepared on the location with the specific tools and key blanks that they will need to complete the job to your satisfaction.

Finding a great locksmith

1. Do your research – the internet is a great place to start your search. Look for previous customer reviews on each locksmith listings.

Before placing the call to a locksmith

1. make sure to have the full address of the location where your require the service (including the zip code). If you are locked out of your car and are on the road try and locate a business in the area that the locksmith can look up on his GPS so that he can reach you faster. Also, make sure the locksmith you are contacting is close in your area, and is a known locksmith.

2. Let the locksmith know any information you have about the type of lock, door, vehicle etc when placing the order (for example if you are calling for an ignition key make sure to have the make, model, year and color of your vehicle handy). If you know what type of locks you have installed on your door make sure to mention that over the phone as well.

3. Make sure to ask the locksmith if the work provided comes with any type of gurantee or warranty.

4. If you do not have the legal permission to access a property or a car you will need to get written consent from the owner before any work can be completed at your location. Most locksmith companies will ask you to send over a consent form from the owner confirming they are allowing you to permit access to their property or their vehicle on their behalf.

Pricing Schedule for Locksmiths

Many locksmith companies will quote you a service charge for the service. Be aware that with most companies this service call charge is the basic cost for the locksmith to arrive at your location. Many companies will make you believe that that will be the final charge for the job, and then when the technician arrives on location you are suprised to learn that there are various additional charges involved. Because of the nature of the locksmith business it is virtually impossible for the locksmith to give a customer an exact estimate over the phone for most lockout or lock repair jobs, since there are many variables that can impact the price you will be expected to pay (such as the type of locks installed, the condition of the locks, the security level of the locks, the type of door the locks are installed on etc…)

Once the locksmith arrives at your location in New York, NY and asses the job he will most likely be able to give you a set price for the work before he starts working.

After the locksmith job is completed

If you plan on getting reimbursed for the service the locksmith provided either by your insurance company, landlord etc. make sure to receive a detailed receipt / invoice for the service provided by the locksmith companies. Most established locksmith companies in New York, NY will be able to provide you with a detailed invoice of the service provided which you can later take to your insurance company and get reimbursed for (usually for car ignition related services)

If you are happy with the service the locksmith has provided you it is highly recommended to save their number on your cell phone – you never know when you will need locksmith service again. Many companies also offer discounts to returning customers.

A few things to consider before you place a call a locksmith to come to your residence in New York, NY and install a new lock on your mailbox:

1. Make sure to get permission for installing a new lock from your landlord or building supervisor if you have one before placing the service call.

2. Locksmiths will most likely not be able to repair an existing mailbox lock so your best option would be installing a new lock on your mailbox and getting new keys for that lock.

3. While it is possible for you to install the new lock yourself we highly recommend hiring a professional locksmith to install the new lock for you. This investment will end up being very valuable in the long run. Keep in mind that in case the lock on your mailbox or the mailbox itself is damaged for any reason, the united states postal office may refuse delivery of your mail until that issue is taken care of. The USPS has no authority to, and will not allow you to have a postal employee open the box with their key while someone changes the lock on your box. That’s simply against the law.

Most locksmiths will not be able to re key an existing lock that is installed on your mailbox. If you have lost your mailbox keys it is always a good suggestion to go ahead and replace the lock on your mailbox just to make sure that no one has access to your personal mail. A reliable locksmith company will usually charge you a service charge to come out to your location, plus the price of the lock as well as an installation fee. The installation fee can vary and depends on the type of work that the locksmith needs to perform the service (for example if they need to drill a new hole in your mailbox to fit the lock etc…) Replacing the lock on your mailbox will not interfere with the US Postal Service for group mailboxes (such as in condo associations or businesses) and you do not need permission from them to install a new lock on your personal mailbox.

As with any type of locksmith job we always recommend doing the research and finding a locksmith technician who is a professional and can provide you with quality service at an affordable price. The Internet has lots of websites that offer customer reviews on locksmith companies that can help you make an informed decision. Many locksmith services provide same day service. Taking control on the security of your mailbox is important and can end up saving you lots of trouble in the long run. Good luck!

Most established locksmith companies employ specific locksmith technicians who are highly trained in this specific field and who are specifically knowledgeable about the various security systems involving car security systems. Furthermore many of today’s newer models have an actual computer installed within the body of the car which communicate to the various parts of the vehicle including the door locks and the ignition switch.

These security measures vary depending on the model, make and year of the vehicle and therefore the price to service your car depends on these variables. When calling for locksmith service for your car make sure to have this information handy so that the locksmith technician knows to prepare the relevant materials and blanks before heading out to your location.

Furthermore, all cars carry a unique Vehicle Identification Number number. Commonly abbreviated to VIN (but sometimes incorrectly referred to as VIN number), is a unique serial number used by the automotive industry to identify individual vehicles. Prior to 1981, there was no accepted standard for these numbers, so different manufacturers used different formats. However since 1981, these codes consist of 17 characters which do not include the letters I (i), O (o), or Q (q) (to avoid confusion with numerals 1 and 0). Your car’s VIN number is listed on the registration document of your vehicle and will be required by the locksmith technician to produce a new ignition key for your specific car.

If you have a more advanced ignition key and live in New York and loose your key or have a problem it is very imperative to let the dealership know immediately as it can take several days to get a replacement, and being parked in the wrong place could lead to towing your vehicle or other issues.

Newer cars have transponder chips installed in the body of your key. These transponder chips communicate with your vehicle and provide an added measure of security. Older style mechanical metal car keys are rapidly being replaced by “smart keys” that are usually laser cut and are far more sophisticated (and therefore more costly to replicate) then the old type locks. Some cars, like the Toyota Prius, have an entirely electronic key (called a fob) that controls both doors as well as the ignition switch.

Costs: The Boston Globe quoted a survey that was conducted back in 2007 listing the minimum cost to replace a smart key at $150 – far more then the cost of producing an old-style metal key. That cost can be as high as $350 and up, depending on the model, make and year of your specific car. When you must get a replacement key from a dealer, you may have to wait several days as well as paying more. The exact cost depends partly on the make of the car. For example, a replacement key for a Prius averages $300.

Some car companies (especially the higher end car makers) require you to contact their dealership directly for additional keys. Generally speaking it is cheaper to get a locksmith to make those type of keys for you as dealerships are known to charge higher fees for keys as well as take at least a few days to produce a new key for you. In the past car makers used to make it intentionally hard for clients to receive the codes required to make keys for the vehicles so that they can monopolize that business as well. In 2008, California became the first state to require automobile companies to make their codes available to clients and locksmiths. Consumer groups like the American Automobile Association are working to make this a national standard so that car owners have the freedom to make keys for their vehicles independently.

It’s highly recommended to have a backup key made in case you lose a key or accidentally lock your keys in your car. You can also have a simple metal copy of a smart key made and it will usually work in the door lock, just not in the ignition. However, consider investing in a backup smart key. It will save you time ad money rather than not having the use of your car for several days while you wait for a replacement as well as any emergency service costs that may be charged to the service provided to you by a locksmith company.

A few simple tips can not only insure that you receive the service you are entitled to but will also help the locksmith expedite your service call as well as make sure that they arrived prepared on the location with the specific tools and key blanks that they will need to complete the job to your satisfaction.

Finding a great locksmith

1. Do your research – the internet is a great place to start your search. Look for previous customer reviews on each locksmith listings.

When finding a locksmith in New York we recommend that you make sure the locksmith has good standing in that they have good reviews, have been around for a while, and have the proper equipment for helping you with your vehicle when they arrive.

Before placing the call to a locksmith

1. make sure to have the full address of the location where your require the service (including the zip code). If you are locked out of your car and are on the road try and locate a business in the area that the locksmith can look up on his GPS so that he can reach you faster.

2. Let the locksmith know any information you have about the type of lock, door, vehicle etc when placing the order (for example if you are calling for an ignition key make sure to have the make, model, year and color of your vehicle handy). If you know what type of locks you have installed on your door make sure to mention that over the phone as well.

3. Make sure to ask the locksmith if the work provided comes with any type of guarantee or warranty.

4. If you do not have the legal permission to access a property or a car you will need to get written consent from the owner before any work can be completed at your location. Most locksmith companies will ask you to send over a consent form from the owner confirming they are allowing you to permit access to their property or their vehicle on their behalf.

Locksmith Pricing

Many locksmith companies will quote you a service charge for the service. Be aware that with most companies this service call charge is the basic cost for the locksmith to arrive at your location. Many companies will make you believe that that will be the final charge for the job, and then when the technician arrives on location you are surprised to learn that there are various additional charges involved. Because of the nature of the locksmith business it is virtually impossible for the locksmith to give a customer an exact estimate over the phone for most lockout or lock repair jobs, since there are many variables that can impact the price you will be expected to pay (such as the type of locks installed, the condition of the locks, the security level of the locks, the  type of door the locks are installed on etc…)

Once the locksmith arrives on location and asses the job he will most likely be able to give you a set price for the work before he starts working.

After the job is completed

If you plan on getting reimbursed for the service the locksmith provided either by your insurance company, landlord etc. make sure to receive a detailed receipt / invoice for the service provided by the locksmith companies. Most established locksmith companies will be able to provide you with a detailed invoice of the service provided which you can later take to your insurance company and get reimbursed for (usually for car ignition related services)

If you are happy with the service the locksmith has provided you it is highly recommended to save their number on your cell phone – you never know when you will need locksmith service again. Many companies also offer discounts to returning customers.

We wish you the best of luck!