Frequently Asked Questions - Locksmith in New York, NY
We answer the questions New Yorkers actually ask before calling a locksmith. Every price, process, and policy below reflects how Novak Lock & Security works in this city.
Pricing & Cost FAQs
Residential lockout service in New York typically runs $120-$180 during standard hours and $180-$260 overnight. Rekeying a standard deadbolt costs $25-$45 per cylinder. Installing a new Grade 2 deadbolt runs $180-$320 including hardware and labor. Every job is quoted in writing before we start, under Clause 1 of The Haven Standard. Call (551) 214-0800 for your exact figure.
Yes. The price we quote is the price on your invoice. This is Clause 1 of The Haven Standard, the practice Novak Lock & Security brought to every branch. The technician cannot change the price on arrival. If we find something unexpected, we stop, explain, and get your approval in writing before continuing. No door upsell, no scope creep.
No call-out surcharge is added to your bill. Your quoted price covers travel to any address in our service area, including Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and Hoboken. We price by the job, not by the bridge toll or parking difficulty. That said, emergency service after hours carries a higher base rate, which we state clearly when you call.
Rekeying a typical New York apartment with two entry locks costs $50-$90 total. Each additional cylinder adds $25-$45. In pre-war buildings with original mortise locks, the figure may be higher if the lock needs servicing first. We inspect, quote, and wait for your written approval before touching anything.
Yes. Commercial master key systems are surveyed and scheduled, not dispatched. We provide a written scope with a flat per-lock price before any work begins. The survey is free. Master keying for a small office with six locks typically runs $400-$700 including key blanks and pinning. Larger systems in Midtown Manhattan or the Financial District are scoped on site.
Service & Process FAQs
A live coordinator answers, asks what you need and where you are, and connects you with the nearest available technician. You receive a firm price, a real arrival window, and a text when your tech is en route. The tech arrives with license and insurance documentation, photographs the work area, and leaves you with a written invoice and warranty.
Most residential lockouts in New York are resolved in 15-30 minutes. The time depends on lock type, door condition, and whether the key is inside. Older buildings in Bedford-Stuyvesant or Bushwick sometimes have worn cylinders that take extra care. We work by hand first and drill only as last resort, with your permission.
Rekeying changes the internal pin combination so old keys no longer work. It is faster and cheaper when the lock hardware is sound. Replace when the lock is damaged, outdated, or you want upgraded security features. In Forest Hills and Brooklyn Heights, we often see Kwikset SmartKey cylinders that rekey in minutes without disassembly. We inspect and recommend based on what we find, not what we prefer to sell.
Yes. We install, repair, and reprogram electronic deadbolts, keypad entry systems, and card-access controls for residential and commercial clients. In Long Island City and Astoria, we regularly service Yale Assure and Baldwin Evolved systems. Battery failure and Wi-Fi pairing issues are the most common calls. We carry replacement parts and quote the repair before starting.
Yes. We cut and program transponder keys and key fobs for most makes on site. The process requires proof of ownership and typically takes 30-60 minutes. Pricing depends on key type. Basic transponder keys start around $180. Proximity fobs for newer models run higher. We quote exactly after you tell us year, make, and model.
Brands & Parts FAQs
For rental apartments, we often suggest Kwikset SmartKey deadbolts. They rekey in seconds when tenants change, saving money over replacement. For owner-occupied units in Brooklyn Heights or Midtown Manhattan, Medeco high-security cylinders offer pick resistance and key control. We stock both and install what fits your door, your budget, and your building's requirements.
Yes. Medeco uses angled cuts and sidebar mechanisms that standard key machines cannot reproduce. Duplication requires a Medeco-authorized dealer with specialized equipment and your signature on file. This key control prevents unauthorized copies, which matters in multi-unit buildings across Maspeth and Canarsie where former tenants or staff may retain keys.
We stock cylinders, mortise lock bodies, and replacement knobs for common pre-war and mid-century hardware found in buildings from the 1920s through 1960s. In neighborhoods like Bedford-Stuyvesant and Astoria, we regularly service Corbin, Russwin, and Sargent mortise locks. If we do not have your part, we source it and schedule return installation with a firm price.
These are ANSI durability ratings. Grade 1 is commercial strength, tested for 800,000 cycles. Grade 2 is residential heavy-duty, rated for 400,000 cycles. Grade 3 is basic residential, 200,000 cycles. For a New York apartment door, Grade 2 is the practical minimum. We specify the grade on every quote so you know what you are buying.
Licensing & Insurance FAQs
Every professional working under our name is required to hold the license and insurance New York State requires. We verify credentials before anyone represents Novak Lock & Security. Your technician arrives with license number available for inspection. We do not send unqualified help to your door.
Yes. We carry general liability and workers compensation coverage appropriate for locksmith work in occupied buildings. This protects you if accidental damage occurs during service. Documentation is available on request. We have maintained continuous coverage since opening this branch.
In most New York rental situations, you must provide the landlord with a key to any new lock you install, unless your lease states otherwise. Rekeying the existing lock is usually simpler and avoids lease complications. We explain this to tenants in Bushwick and Canarsie regularly. When in doubt, check your lease or ask your super before we start.
Emergency & Response FAQs
Yes. Our phone is answered 24 hours a day, every day. The coordinator assesses your situation, quotes your price, and dispatches the nearest available technician. Emergency rates apply overnight and on holidays, and we tell you the exact figure before confirming dispatch. No hidden surcharge added on arrival.
We give you a real arrival window based on current traffic and technician location, not a fantasy. In Midtown Manhattan or the Financial District, that window is typically tighter than in outer Brooklyn during rush hour. We text when your tech departs and again when they are minutes away. You are not left guessing.
Lockouts with children or pets inside, break-ins requiring immediate securing, and lost keys with address attached are genuine emergencies. A sticky deadbolt you noticed Tuesday is not. We prioritize actual emergencies and quote honestly for everything else. If you are unsure, call (551) 214-0800 and we will tell you straight whether you need immediate dispatch or scheduled service.
Warranty & Guarantees FAQs
Every job leaves with a written warranty. Hardware carries manufacturer warranty, typically one year for residential deadbolts. Our labor warranty covers installation defects for 90 days. For commercial master key systems, warranty terms are specified in the written scope. We document what we installed, when, and what is covered. Evidence on every job, under Clause 4 of The Haven Standard.
Call us. We answer the phone 24/7. If the issue stems from our work or the hardware we supplied, we return and fix it at no charge within the warranty period. If the problem is unrelated, we diagnose and quote before proceeding. No surprises means no ghosting after the invoice is paid.
We guarantee to use proper techniques and tools for your specific lock and door type. In 24 years of Novak Lock & Security operations, our approach is non-destructive entry first. Drilling is last resort, only with your written approval, and we quote the full repair cost before starting. Your door and frame are treated as if they were our own.
Written by Daniel Novak, Owner at Novak Lock & Security New York, serving New York, Brooklyn, Queens, and Hoboken.
Still Have Questions?
We are happy to help. Call us anytime - 24/7 emergency service available.
(551) 214-0800