Home Rekey & Deadbolt Installation

Rekeying a lock means a technician disassembles the cylinder and replaces the internal pin tumblers so that every previously cut key becomes permanently useless. It is not the same as changing the lock hardware — the existing knob, lever, or mortise lock body stays in place, only the internal configuration changes. For most Sherman Oaks homeowners, rekeying is the fastest way to regain exclusive control of their doors on day one. The process is damage-free when performed by an experienced technician, and it can be completed on cylindrical knob locks, deadbolts, mortise lock assemblies, and padlocks in a single visit.

Rekeying alone, however, only addresses who holds a valid key. It does nothing to improve the physical strength of the lock itself. Many older Sherman Oaks homes — particularly the mid-century bungalows and apartment buildings found throughout the Longridge Estates and Valley Vista neighborhoods — were originally fitted with entry-only knob locks that can be defeated with surprisingly little force. Adding a Grade 1 or Grade 2 deadbolt installation alongside the rekey gives you a second, mechanically independent layer of resistance. The two services together, scheduled in one visit, are the most thorough move-in security upgrade a residential locksmith can provide.

Not every door or frame calls for the same hardware. Our technicians assess your door thickness, frame condition, and existing prep holes before recommending a specific product. For standard residential doors we commonly install single-cylinder and double-cylinder deadbolts from Schlage and Kwikset — both offer ANSI Grade 1 options with hardened steel bolts and reinforced strike plates. For Sherman Oaks properties with ornate or thicker doors — often found in older craftsman-style homes — a mortise lock is frequently the better fit. A mortise lock is recessed directly into a pocket cut into the door edge, giving it superior pull-out resistance compared to a surface-mounted cylindrical lock. Our team is experienced with mortise lock service, including installation, cylinder replacement, and case repair.

For doors that open outward or for applications where a standard deadbolt is exposed to potential attack from the hinge side, a jimmy proof deadbolt installation is the preferred solution. A jimmy proof deadbolt uses interlocking vertical bolts that connect the door to the frame in a way that resists prying and spreading attempts. We also install smart deadbolts compatible with Z-Wave and Zigbee home automation systems for residents who want keypad or app-based entry without sacrificing physical strength. Every locksmith deadbolt installation we perform includes a reinforced strike plate secured with three-inch screws that anchor into the wall stud rather than just the door jamb wood.

We do not publish flat rates because the honest answer is that several variables affect the final number. The type of lock being serviced matters — rekeying a mortise lock requires more labor than rekeying a simple cylindrical knob lock, and a deadbolt installation on a door that already has the correct bore holes differs from a fresh installation on an unprepared door. Time of day is a factor; our technicians are available around the clock, but after-hours and emergency locksmith calls carry different scheduling considerations than standard daytime appointments. Travel distance within the Sherman Oaks service area and the specific parts required — lock grade, finish, smart features — all feed into the final number as well.

What we guarantee is transparency: before any work begins, your technician walks through exactly what is needed and quotes a firm price. You decide whether to proceed. There is no obligation, and there are no hidden fees added after the job is done. If you need a same-day rekey deadbolt lock service after picking up your keys from a real estate agent, or if you want to schedule a deadbolt installation for a weekend morning before you move furniture in, call 818-394-8453 and our team will coordinate timing that works for your schedule.

Our mobile operation covers far more than new-resident security upgrades. As a 24/7 emergency locksmith, we respond to residential lockouts, broken key extractions, and damaged lock repairs at any hour — including late nights when Ventura Boulevard is quiet and getting a locksmith on the phone quickly matters. We carry the tools and parts for most common lock brands on the truck, so the majority of emergency calls are resolved in a single visit without a return trip.

On the commercial side, our commercial locksmith services extend to multi-unit residential buildings, office suites, and retail storefronts throughout Sherman Oaks. Businesses often require master key systems, high-security mortise lock installations on exterior doors, and push-bar or panic hardware on emergency exits. If you manage a property on Sepulveda Boulevard or near the Van Nuys-Sherman Oaks Park and need consistent access control across multiple units, our team can design and implement a keying system that gives tenants individual access while preserving master-key control for building management. Call 818-394-8453 any time — we answer 24/7 — to discuss what your property specifically requires.