I lost my house keys and I can’t get in. What should I do? How much does it cost to rekey a lock or make my new car keys?
That’s what many people are asking themselves when they misplace their home key, office key, or car key. This article offers some advice for anyone who has lost their keys and needs to get back in.
If you’ve lost your house keys, you can still get inside if the locks were not changed when the previous occupants moved out. If you have a spare key or know where one is hidden, use that and change all of the locks after you move in. If no spare key is available and the previous occupants still have a key, you must change the locks or get new keys.
If your home is brand-new (or relatively so–less than ten years old), most likely it has knob-sets with removable cores rather than deadbolts on all exterior doors and small sliders on first-floor windows. This means that any locksmith can open the doors with a special tool, remove the cores of these locks, and put on new ones. If you have deadbolts on any exterior door or window, you will need to get new keys for them.
What To Do When You Lose Your House Keys or Car Key?
If you have lost your only set of keys to your house, car, or other device and need a locksmith to come out and get you back in there are a few things that you should know about the whole situation. How many sets of keys did you lose?
-If you only lost one set of house or car keys, then this is probably not a big deal. Most locksmith companies will ask to see your ID and for the serial number to your key before they make a new key for you. If you do not know the serial number of your key, most locksmiths will give a fee estimate of $10-$15 to cut new copies and program them.
-If you lost your keys somewhere, such as an apartment complex or another location the locksmith may ask for a picture ID. At this point, they will charge anywhere from $20-$75 to come out and make you a key. If you had more than one set of keys, they will make a new key for each set of locks. If you only have one lock on your door and need a copy of the key made, most companies will charge around $25 to come out and do this service.
-If you only lost one set of car keys, then it is basically the same as losing house or apartment keys. Most locksmiths will ask for your license and the car’s VIN number, but it is optional to give them this information. If you do not know anyone with a tow truck that can bring the vehicle to their shop then they will charge around $75-$100 or more depending on what you need to be done.
-If you lost multiple sets of keys and need all locked out, such as you locked yourself out of your apartment or lost your car keys somewhere, then most locksmith companies will charge a fee to come out and drill the lock open. The price varies from company to company but usually falls between $60-$175 depending on how much work needs to be done.
How to get a replacement car or house key without the original?
When you cannot find the original, because you lost it or someone borrowed it and did not return it; when you can’t get in without a key, call a locksmith. Locksmiths have lots of experience making new keys so if they can get into your property, they will also be able to make you a new key inside. Be aware though, most locksmiths will require you to provide identification before they make a new key.
If the locks have been changed since possession of the keys disappeared, call another locksmith who can advise what else needs to be done. Having lost your house keys is one thing but having lost your car keys is another issue altogether. Walking or asking someone to drive you every time you need to leave the house is not practical, not even if it’s in your own car.
What do I do if I lost my keys and have no spare?
If you have no spare key, you must change the locks or get new keys. A lock that has been changed by one locksmith cannot be rekeyed by another. You should have had your previous locksmith give you a set of spare keys when he installed your new lock. If not, call someone else for this service.
However, if you don’t have spare keys to your house or car, you can still get inside if the locks were not changed when the previous occupants moved out. If you have a spare key or know where one is hidden, use that and change all of the locks after you move in. If no spare key is available and the previous occupants still have a key, you must change the locks or get new keys.
How can I get a key made without the actual key?
If you have a key that is broken or bent and the original key cannot be located, you might not need a key if your locksmith can gain access within a few minutes. If this happens, he may use his tools to open your lock and make an impression of the internal components. He will then take these impressions to another shop where the duplicated key will be made. This might cost as little as $30, if you have more than one lock, such as on your front and back doors, it may increase the price to $100 or more.
Losing your house keys is a big problem
It can be frustrating and time-consuming to get new locks installed when you’ve lost your key or have had it stolen. You may also have to pay for the installation of a new lock, which can cost hundreds of dollars depending on the type of lock you need. And if you lose your car keys, that could mean paying for an expensive replacement as well as having to take time off work in order to go get them replaced at the dealership.
Luckily there’s another option – King Locksmiths! We offer fast and affordable mobile locksmith services throughout Washington DC, Maryland, and Baltimore so we can come right out to where you are instead of making you drive somewhere else or wait around all day for us to arrive. We even offer 24/7 emergency service in case something happens after hours!
If this sounds like what you’re looking for then call us today or visit our website! Our friendly staff will answer any questions that you might have about our services and schedule an appointment with one of our expert technicians who will come straight out to wherever it is that needs help ASAP so they can quickly replace your missing key(s). Don’t hesitate – give us a call now!
