"Brian was very professional and responsive. Not being able to be onsite for the repair, Brian kept me updated through the entire process, including photos throughout the repair. I would definitely recommend Brian for anyone looking for a reliable and skilled locksmith."
"Santos and his helper did a great job working on our storm door. After he removed the door he had to remove rotted wood that was part of the door frame. He had to cut and replace with new wood. He then did a great job replacing all the aluminum around the door frame. The storm door was then reinstalled. It was late in the day when they finished. But there was a slight issue with the door latching. The very next morning Willy called and asked if he could come over and take care of that issue. We set up a time for Willy to come and he did an excellent job fine tuning the door closure. He couldn’t have been more respectful and professional. It was a pleasure dealing with Willy. Thanks again, Will"
"I called Alarm Protection Group AFTER my office was burglarized. Now I feel SAFE. William is great to work with. He's neat and tidy, prompt, presentable - not a butt-crack type of guy, and he doesn't leave a mess in his wake. He's also knowledgeable about the equipment and only uses high-quality products."
"They did a Great job choosing correct sliding door needed. Forwarded the exact sliding screen door info needed so I could order it and when it came in he picked it up and brought to home to install. Also cleaned the area. He got here the day after I was advised the door was ready for pickup. I trusted him right from the outset; very nice very professional I would highly recommend you add them to your contact as your Handiman for your future projects."
"We contracted with L&R Security over 30 years ago to secure our former home. Our system and the service we received along with it were so superb that we hired them again 2 1/2 years ago when we moved to a new home. Ray and his competent staff installed a wonderful system for us. Having done business with them for 33 years now, we can’t say enough good things about them. We appreciate their honesty, integrity, knowledge, fair pricing, and attentiveness to any problems or concerns we had. We highly recommend L&R Security."
"I have been using Bryan's Handyman for the past 4-5 years: he is my go-to for all fixes/renovations in my homes! From a punch list to installing new medicine cabinets to solving a problem of two holes in my ceiling, his team always gets the job done well, at reasonable prices!"
"Blaze and his team have completed several projects in our house's kitchen remodel, custom trim, hardwood stairs, patio door and, it is my go to for all future work. Easy to work with, trustworthy, reasonably priced and top quality and quality construction. Everything I look for in a contractor."
"Fantastic! Ted is a true professional, and very talented. You worry about workmanship and business intentions with any contractor you don't know, but with Ted, from the first time we spoke, we felt comfortable, assured and his work is top notch! Ted redid out master bath. He is a great designer, and he has an outstanding tile guy (his brother Glenn). Do not hesitate to hire Ted."
The benefit of deadbolt locks is that they're much harder to force open than simple locks with pin tumbler mechanisms, so they may offer added security. This feature is why many locksmiths recommend deadbolts for home security. For many households, this added protection and peace of mind is well worth the cost of installing a deadbolt.
When the temps drop, sometimes you need to thaw a lock to regain access. Options include warming the key with warm water, applying a de-icing spray, or using a hair dryer on low heat. Avoid using boiling water to prevent damage. To prevent future freezing, consider installing a cover or shield over the lock to keep water and ice out. Remember to be patient and gentle during thawing to avoid damaging the lock or key. If all else fails, consult a professional locksmith.
Expect to pay between $50 to $200 if you hire a locksmith to change your locks. That figure includes labor and the cost of basic hardware. The cost will naturally be higher if you plan to install more expensive locks, like smart locks, and if you need a lot of them.
Homeowners can save money by replacing locks themselves. A typical rekeying kit costs about $10 to $25. The only additional cost is purchasing new house keys, and those are no more than a few dollars per key. If you want to replace the locks on your own completely, the main cost is the price of the locks themselves. A standard knob-style lock starts around $25, while electronic locks and smart locks will run in the hundreds of dollars. The only additional tools you should need are a tape measure, screwdriver, and screws if they are not already provided.
If part of the key is protruding out of the lock, you can use a pair of needle-nosed pliers or tweezers to gently turn the key in the lock to open the door. If the key is fully inserted into the lock, you may also be able to use a key extractor to help turn the key into the unlocked position.
But if the key breaks off halfway into the lock or you simply can’t reach it to help engage the unlocking mechanisms, you should probably call a professional.
When it comes to how to get a stuck key out of a lock, the simplest way is to use some kind of lubricating substance. One option is to apply graphite powder while wiggling the key gently. As the graphite fills the lock, jiggling should loosen the key enough to allow you to pull it out.