Home Rekeying & Lockout Service

Rekeying is the process of reconfiguring the internal pin stack of an existing lock cylinder so that old keys no longer work and a fresh key becomes the only one that operates the lock. It is not the same as replacing the entire lockset, which means it typically takes less time and requires fewer parts — though the exact scope depends on your specific hardware. Queens homes run the full spectrum of lock types: you will find original cast-iron mortise lock assemblies in pre-war buildings along Northern Boulevard, single-cylinder Kwikset knobsets in postwar Rego Park apartments, Schlage deadbolts in newer Jamaica developments, and everything in between. Our technicians are trained on all of them. A mortise lock, in particular, requires careful disassembly of the door-edge pocket before the cylinder can be extracted and repinned — a job that looks straightforward but demands practiced hands to avoid damaging the case or the door stile. We carry a broad selection of replacement pins and keyway blanks on every service vehicle, so we can repin on the spot and hand you new keys before we leave the driveway.

Common reasons Queens residents call us for rekeying include: moving into a home where the previous owner's key count is unknown, ending a rental arrangement, recovering from a break-in attempt where the lock was tampered with but not defeated, or simply consolidating multiple locks so one master key works the whole property. If the lock body itself is worn, cracked, or otherwise compromised, we will walk you through upgrade options — including high-security cylinder upgrades that retain your existing door hardware — and confirm an exact price before any work begins. We never start a job without your explicit approval of the quoted figure.

A house lockout service call is rarely convenient. It might be a frigid February night after a Mets double-header when you realize your keys are still on the kitchen counter, or a Sunday afternoon in Whitestone when a gust slams the door behind you while you step out to grab the mail. Whatever the circumstance, our mobile technicians are dispatched directly to your address — no storefront to drive to, no appointment window to wait on. We aim to reach most Queens locations quickly, and because we carry a full kit of picks, tension tools, and bump-resistant bypass equipment, we can usually open a residential lock without drilling, preserving the lock for continued use or for the rekey that often follows.

Ownership verification is a standard part of every emergency lockout response. Our technicians will ask for a photo ID and may ask you to confirm details about the property — this is a safeguard that protects you just as much as it protects anyone else. Once identity is confirmed, we get to work. If your home uses a mortise lock — common in older Queens rowhouses and attached brick homes throughout neighborhoods like Woodside and Elmhurst — the entry method differs from a modern deadbolt, and our team is trained on both. After gaining entry we will also inspect the lock for any signs of forced-entry damage and advise you on whether a rekey or replacement is the smarter next step. For immediate assistance, call 718-775-3640 — we answer around the clock.

One of the most common questions we hear is: how much should a locksmith cost in NYC, or how much does an emergency locksmith cost near me? The honest answer is that no responsible locksmith can give a meaningful number before knowing the specifics of your situation. The factors that shape your final quote include the type of lock involved (a standard door knob lock costs less to rekey than a multi-point mortise lock system), the time of day (after-hours and overnight calls involve different logistics than midday appointments), your location within Queens and the travel distance from our nearest technician, and whether any parts — new cylinders, pins, keys, or lock hardware — are required. How much do locksmiths charge on average, or how much does a locksmith charge per hour? Those questions are worth asking, but a flat hourly rate rarely tells the whole story when parts and complexity vary so widely. What we commit to is this: before a single tool touches your lock, we provide a complete, transparent price. You decide whether to proceed. There are no surprise line items on the invoice.

We want to be direct about one thing: if a quote sounds implausibly low over the phone — which sometimes happens with services that advertise a base fee and then add large surcharges on-site — that is a red flag worth heeding. We do not engage in bait-and-switch pricing. The number we confirm with you up front is the number on the final bill. Who is the cheapest locksmith? We would rather be the most straightforward one. How much should an emergency locksmith cost? Enough to cover trained technicians, insured vehicles, quality parts, and a 24-hour dispatch operation — and not a penny more than the confirmed quote.

Flushing Locksmith's mobile units carry the tools and parts to handle a wide range of residential security needs in a single visit. Our core services include: residential lock rekeying (all cylinder types), mortise lock disassembly and repinning, door knob lock rekeying and replacement, deadbolt rekeying and upgrade, high-security cylinder installation, master key system setup for multi-unit homes, smart lock installation and programming, keypad lock installation, emergency house lockout entry, apartment lockout response, building entry lockout assistance, broken key extraction from cylinder, lock repair after attempted forced entry, door knob lock replacement, full mortise lock replacement, sliding door lock service, window lock installation, gate lock and padlock service, garage side-door lock rekeying, mailbox lock replacement, key duplication on-site, lock hardware consultation, security assessment for exterior doors, peephole installation, and door reinforcement hardware advice. Each service is performed by trained, insured technicians who arrive on a fully stocked mobile unit — no second trips, no subcontractors, no surprises.