Residential Locksmith

Most homeowners overspend on the wrong feature and underspend on the part that actually matters. The cylinder — the part the key turns — is what a burglar attacks. A $300 designer knob with a generic cylinder is less secure than a $90 Grade-1 deadbolt with a Medeco cylinder. We will always steer you toward cylinder quality first, finish and brand second.

ANSI Grade-3 is the bare minimum and is what big-box stores stock. Grade-2 is the realistic floor for any exterior door. Grade-1 is what we recommend on front doors and any door visible from the street. High-security cylinders (Medeco, Mul-T-Lock, ASSA) add pick, drill, and bump resistance plus restricted keyways that cannot be copied at a kiosk.

For interior doors — bedrooms, bathrooms, offices — privacy and passage knobs from any major brand are fine. We can match finish across the whole house so the hardware looks intentional, not piecemeal.

Rekey every exterior lock. You have no idea how many copies the previous owner, their contractors, dog walkers, and real-estate agents are still holding. Rekeying is fast, cheap, and gives you a single new key for every door.

Replace any lock that feels gritty, loose, or sticks. A failing lock is the number-one cause of lockouts in the first 90 days of ownership.

Inspect strike plates and screws. Builders almost always install 3/4-inch screws. We replace them with 3-inch screws that anchor into the framing — the single biggest free upgrade against kick-in attacks.

Decide on a master plan. If you want one key for front, back, garage, side door, and mailbox, tell us at the first visit and we will pin every cylinder to match.