Frequently Asked Questions - Locksmith in Florida, FL
We've been helping Florida homeowners and businesses with locks, rekeys, safes, and lockouts since 2013. Here are the questions we hear most often, answered straight.
Pricing & Cost FAQs
Most residential lockout services in Florida run between $75 and $150 during our regular hours, with rekeying typically $19-$35 per cylinder plus a service call. We quote flat prices on the phone before we dispatch, so there's no surprise when we arrive. Commercial jobs and safe work vary more depending on the hardware and access. Call (844) 956-4715 for a free written estimate with no obligation.
Rekeying is almost always the less expensive option when your existing hardware is in good condition. You're paying for labor and new pins rather than an entire lockset. Replacement makes sense if the lock is worn, damaged, or you want to upgrade to a higher-security grade. We'll look at what you have and tell you honestly which path saves money without cutting corners.
That $19 figure is typically a bait-and-switch tactic: a low arrival fee followed by inflated labor charges, unnecessary drilling, or phantom parts. We've seen it across Jacksonville, Miami, and Orlando for years. We don't play that game. Our price is the price, quoted flat on the phone, with no surprises on the bill.
We're open 7:30 AM to 7:30 PM every day including Saturday and Sunday, and our rates stay consistent across those hours. We don't tack on evening premiums or weekend surcharges. If you call outside our hours, our live coordinator will let you know when the next available appointment opens up.
The service call covers travel to your location, diagnosis of the problem, and the first half-hour of labor. If the job runs longer or requires additional hardware, we'll tell you before proceeding. We believe in a square deal: you should know what you're paying before we turn a screw.
Service & Process FAQs
Most residential lockouts are resolved in 15 to 30 minutes, assuming standard pin-tumbler locks without complications. High-security locks, damaged cylinders, or commercial access systems can take longer. When you call, we'll ask about your lock type and give you a realistic time estimate.
Have your ID ready, especially if you're locked out; we verify ownership before opening any door. Clear a path to the lock if there's debris or furniture in the way. If it's a rental, your lease or landlord contact helps. And don't worry about the brand name on your lock; we've worked on everything from vintage Baldwin sets in Coral Gables to newer Mul-T-Lock installations in Boca Raton.
Yes, we can originate keys for most vehicles, including transponder and smart keys, provided you have proof of ownership and the vehicle is present. The process involves cutting a mechanical key and programming the chip to your car's immobilizer system. Some older vehicles are simpler; newer models may require more time. We'll tell you upfront what's involved for your specific make and year.
Rekeying changes the internal pin configuration so old keys no longer work, while keeping your existing lock hardware. Changing locks means removing the entire lockset and installing new. Rekeying is faster and costs less when your hardware is sound. We recommend replacement only when the lock is failing, outdated, or doesn't meet your security needs.
Rekeying is the standard practice for new homeowners, and we strongly recommend it. You don't know who has copies from previous owners, contractors, realtors, or neighbors. In Florida's active markets like Fort Myers and Cape Coral, where homes turn over quickly, this is one of the smartest security investments you can make. We can rekey all your locks to work with a single key, too.
Brands & Parts FAQs
For residential use, we regularly install and service Yale deadbolts for their reliability and value, Baldwin for homeowners wanting solid brass construction and classic styling, and Mul-T-Lock where high-security pick resistance matters. The right choice depends on your door, your budget, and whether you're in a high-traffic rental or your forever home. We'll walk you through the tradeoffs without pushing the most expensive option.
High-security locks with restricted keyways, like Mul-T-Lock or certain Sargent profiles, are worth it if you have valuable assets, frequent turnover of who has keys, or you've experienced a break-in attempt. For the average Florida homeowner in a stable neighborhood, a Grade 2 deadbolt from a reputable brand properly installed is usually sufficient. We don't upsell security you don't need.
We can service many older locks, including mortise sets common in pre-1970 Florida homes and vintage hardware in historic districts of St. Petersburg and Delray Beach. Some parts are no longer manufactured, in which case we may recommend a compatible modern replacement that preserves the look. We're honest about what can be saved and what can't.
Yes, we sell, deliver, install, and service residential and light commercial safes. Florida's humidity and hurricane risk make proper anchoring and placement especially important; a safe in a garage or ground-floor closet needs different consideration than one upstairs. We'll help you choose the right fire rating, size, and burglary classification for what you're protecting.
Licensing & Insurance FAQs
Florida requires locksmith companies to hold a state license, and individual technicians must pass a background check. Every pro working under our name is required to hold the license and insurance their state requires. We carry our credentials and show ID at your door, because the person who opens your locks should be the most verifiable person you've ever hired.
Ask for the license number, confirm it with Florida's Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and be wary of anyone who won't quote a firm price or who arrives in an unmarked vehicle. Legitimate locksmiths answer questions directly, wear branded identification, and don't pressure you into unnecessary work. If something feels off, call someone else. We've built our name since 2013 on being the call you don't regret making.
Yes, we carry general liability insurance and require the same of every technician representing Strongbox Lock & Safe Co. If damage occurs during service, we stand behind it and make it right. That's part of our K.E.Y.S. values code: Krafted right, Every time, Your home first, Standing behind it.
Emergency & Response FAQs
Our hours are 7:30 AM to 7:30 PM, seven days a week. During those hours, we aim to reach Florida customers promptly, with live coordinators answering calls and dispatching the nearest available technician. We don't promise impossible arrival times; we promise we'll be there when we say, and we'll communicate if traffic or prior jobs cause any delay.
A child or pet locked in a vehicle, a home lockout in unsafe weather, or a break-in where your security is compromised right now. For true emergencies during our hours, we prioritize dispatch. If you're locked out but safe and sheltered, we'll schedule you at the next available slot. We're honest about what needs immediate attention and what can wait without risk.
We serve homeowners and businesses across Florida, including Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando, Fort Myers, Miami Springs, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, St. Petersburg, Pompano Beach, Cape Coral, Delray Beach, and Port Charlotte. Some rural areas between these cities may have longer response times. When you call, we'll tell you honestly if we can reach you today or if we need to schedule.
Warranty & Guarantees FAQs
We apply The Keystone Standard to every job: 90 days, in writing, no arguing. If a lock we rekeyed starts sticking, a key we cut doesn't work smoothly, or anything else isn't right, we come back and fix it. No paperwork to dig up, no runaround. That's how we've operated since 2013, and it's why customers across Florida call us again when they move or need something else.
Call us. We'll make it right. Our K.E.Y.S. code includes "Standing behind it," and we mean it. In four decades of this work, we've learned that a customer who feels heard and treated fairly becomes a customer for life. We'd rather eat the cost of a callback than eat the loss of your trust.
Yes, manufacturer warranties from brands like Yale, Baldwin, Mul-T-Lock, and Sargent run in addition to our 90-day Keystone Standard. If a lock fails due to defect within the manufacturer's warranty period, we'll help you navigate that claim. Our labor warranty covers our installation work regardless. You're protected on both fronts.
Written by the team at Strongbox Lock & Safe Co. of Florida, serving Florida since 2013.
Still Have Questions?
We are happy to help. Call us - same-day and after-hours emergency service available.
(844) 956-4715