Frequently Asked Questions
Short, direct answers to the questions we hear most often from homeowners, renters, drivers, and property managers. If your question isn’t here, call us at (888) 455-7175 and we’ll give you a straight answer.
Pricing & Estimates
How much does locksmith service cost?
Locksmith service with Thornton Lock & Key is priced by the job, and most common calls (a lockout, a rekey, a car key replacement) fall into predictable ranges you’ll hear quoted before we start. A standard residential rekey is usually the most affordable option after a move or a lost key, while car key replacement depends on whether the key is a basic blade or a transponder/fob-style key, and emergency lockouts are quoted based on time of day and hardware. We give upfront pricing so you know the number before we touch the lock, not after.
Do you offer free estimates?
Yes, free estimates are part of how we work, and we’ll quote the job over the phone when the situation allows so you’re never guessing. If we need to see the hardware in person (a high-security cylinder or an unfamiliar automotive key), we’ll still walk you through the likely cost before any work begins. Call (888) 455-7175 for a free estimate on your lock or key job.
Why is it cheaper to rekey than to replace my locks?
Rekeying is cheaper than replacement because we keep your existing hardware and swap the internal pins so old keys stop working, which costs less in both parts and labor. You get the same security result (no one else can use the keys they kept) for less money and in less time. Rekeying is our default recommendation after a move, a breakup, a lost key, or a contractor finish-up unless the lock itself is worn out or you’re upgrading brands.
Is it cheaper to repair or replace a lock?
Repair is cheaper when the lock is a solid brand that’s just sticking, misaligned, or hitting a worn latch, but replacement wins when the cylinder is failing or the hardware is builder-grade and you want real security. We’ll tell you honestly which way makes sense on your door rather than defaulting to the more expensive option. That judgment is part of why we keep Schlage, Baldwin, and Medeco hardware in the conversation rather than pushing whatever’s on the truck.
Will I be charged extra for an emergency or after-hours call?
Emergency and after-hours calls can carry a higher rate than a scheduled daytime appointment, and we tell you that upfront before we dispatch. The exact number depends on the time and the hardware involved, so call (888) 455-7175 and we’ll quote it clearly. No surprise line items when the technician arrives.
Emergency Response & Scheduling
Do you offer emergency locksmith service?
Yes, emergency locksmith service is one of our three core offerings, alongside car key replacement and rekey service. A lockout doesn’t wait for business hours, so we’re set up to respond when you’re stranded at your car, shut out of your house, or dealing with an urgent security concern. Call (888) 455-7175 and we’ll get a technician headed your way.
How fast can you respond?
Response time depends on how close you are to where our technicians are working and how busy the schedule is, and we give you an honest arrival window when you call rather than an inflated promise. Emergency calls get priority. We’d rather tell you the truth about timing than overpromise and leave you waiting on the curb, which is exactly the bait-and-switch behavior too many people have run into with other locksmiths.
Can you help me today?
Most days, yes. We build same-day capacity into the schedule for lockouts, rekeys, and car key replacements, and we’ll tell you honestly when the next opening is the moment you call. If it’s an emergency, say so and we’ll prioritize it. Call (888) 455-7175 to check today’s availability.
Do I need an appointment, or can I just call?
You can just call, and for emergencies that’s the right move. For a planned rekey or a hardware upgrade, we may schedule a time that fits your day, which keeps the technician from standing around and keeps pricing tight. Either way, a single phone call is the starting point.
What should I have ready when I call for a lockout?
Have your location, the type of lock or vehicle, and a general sense of the situation ready, and we can usually give you a realistic arrival window and a price range on that call. For a car key replacement, it helps to know the make, model, and year so we know what key and programming we’re dealing with. This is the single step that speeds up every call.
Licensing, Trust & Guarantees
Are you licensed and insured?
Thornton Lock & Key operates as a properly established locksmith business under an accountable, named owner rather than a rotating dispatch line. We don’t publish specific license or policy numbers on this page, but we’re glad to answer questions about our credentials when you call. Our identity as a named Chandler business is deliberate: in a trade full of bait-and-switch operators, a name and a person behind it matter.
Do you guarantee your work?
We stand behind our work and will make it right if a lock or key we serviced fails for reasons within our control. That covers the install, the rekey, or the key replacement itself. If something’s off after we leave, call us back and we’ll address it.
How do I avoid getting scammed by a locksmith?
You avoid locksmith scams by calling a named, local business with an accountable owner instead of a national lead-generation number that dispatches whoever’s cheapest. We’re Thornton Lock & Key, not a call center routing to strangers. Ask who’s coming before you book, and if the answer is vague, that’s your sign.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept standard payment methods including major credit and debit cards and cash, and we’ll give you the exact figure before the work begins. If you have a specific payment arrangement in mind, mention it when you call and we’ll confirm. No surprise charges after the job.
Can I verify pricing before you start?
Yes, and we insist on it, because upfront pricing is how we protect you from the surprise-invoice problem. We quote the job over the phone for standard work and confirm on-site for anything that needs a look. If the final number won’t match the quote, we tell you why before proceeding.
Services & What We Cover
Do you handle residential locksmith?
Yes, residential locksmith work is a core part of what we do, from a locked-out front door to a full rekey after a move or break-in. We work on the hardware you actually have, whether that’s a builder-grade Kwikset, a Schlage deadbolt, a decorative Baldwin entry set, or a premium Yale lock. Our home and residential locksmith page lays out the details of what’s covered. Call us if you’re not sure your lock brand is one we handle.
Do you handle commercial locksmith?
Yes, we handle commercial locksmith work, including high-security hardware like Medeco, Mul-T-Lock, Abloy, and Sargent that many generalist locksmiths simply don’t carry the tools for. If you’re a property manager with a master-key system or a business owner upgrading from a basic cylinder, we cover those premium brands. Call (888) 455-7175 and we’ll talk through what you’re running now and what makes sense.
Do you handle automotive locksmith work?
Yes, we handle automotive locksmith work, including car key replacement with likely transponder and fob-style keys, which means you can skip the dealership. That’s a real advantage: no dealership markup, no waiting on a parts order or an appointment three days out. For details on how the process works for your vehicle, see our car key replacement service.
Do you handle lock installation and rekey?
Yes, we handle both lock installation and rekey, and those two jobs solve different problems. Rekeying swaps the pins so old keys stop working (cheaper and faster), while installation replaces the hardware entirely, which is the right call when a lock is worn out or you’re upgrading to something like a Medeco or Mul-T-Lock high-security cylinder. We’ll tell you which one your situation actually needs.
What lock brands do you work on?
We work on the lock you actually have across eight major brands: Schlage, Kwikset, Yale, Baldwin, Medeco, Mul-T-Lock, Sargent, and Abloy. That spans the range from everyday home hardware to high-security commercial-grade systems, and it’s the kind of brand breadth most locksmiths can’t claim. If your lock is one of those eight, we’re fluent in it.
Can you work on high-security locks?
Yes, we service high-security hardware including Medeco, Mul-T-Lock, Abloy, and Sargent, which use restricted keyways and hardened cylinders that basic locksmiths often can’t touch. That capability is a big part of why we exist as a full-spectrum locksmith. If you’ve got a protected-keyway system, call and let’s talk.
Do you work on both residential and commercial Yale locks?
Yes, our Yale experience covers both sides of the brand: the widely installed commercial-grade locks you’ll find in offices and storefronts, plus decorative and premium residential Yale hardware. That dual range is one of the things that makes Thornton a good fit for mixed-use properties. One provider, both systems.
How We Work: The Service Process
Whether it’s an emergency lockout or a scheduled rekey, every job with Thornton follows a consistent sequence so you know what to expect.
- Call and describe the situation. Tell us the location, the type of lock or vehicle, and whether it’s urgent. We quote a realistic price range and arrival window on the call.
- Get an on-site look. Our technician inspects the actual hardware or vehicle key to confirm what’s needed. We never assume from the phone description if the lock tells a different story.
- Confirm the price before work starts. We tell you the final number and get your go-ahead. No work begins without an agreed-upon price.
- Do the work correctly the first time. Rekey, replacement, or car key programming completed on-site, using the correct brand hardware and tools.
- Verify the result with you. We have you test the new key or lock so you’re satisfied before we leave.
- Stay reachable afterward. If something isn’t right, call us back. We stand behind the work.
Getting Help When It Counts
What areas do you serve?
Our location references on this page stay city-neutral, and we’re a local operation serving the surrounding area rather than a national dispatch network. When you call, we’ll confirm whether your location is within our service area and tell you how soon we can get there. Call (888) 455-7175 with your address and we’ll answer that directly.
Are you available around the clock?
Emergency locksmith availability is a service pillar for us, not an occasional thing, so we’re set up to respond when a lockout happens outside normal hours. That’s the “when it counts most” part of what we do. If you’re locked out right now, call (888) 455-7175 and we’ll tell you exactly what we can do.
Is locksmith service really a security issue, not just an inconvenience?
Yes, and that’s why we treat rekeys and hardware upgrades with the seriousness we do. A key that went missing after a move or a break-in is a security exposure, not just a hassle. Rekeying removes that exposure quickly and for less than new locks. So rekeying isn’t just about convenience. It’s about shutting down an actual opening someone could walk through.
Can I schedule a service if I’m not sure what I need?
Yes, and calling is usually the fastest way to sort that out. Many customers aren’t sure whether they need a rekey, a replacement, or a high-security upgrade, and a short conversation clears it up. We’d rather help you figure out the right move than book the wrong job.
What’s the first thing I should do if I’ve lost my only car key?
Call us before you call a tow truck or a dealership, because we handle car key replacement directly, including transponder and fob-style keys for most vehicles. Have the make, model, and year ready so we can confirm what key and programming the job requires. Skip the dealership wait and call (888) 455-7175 to see what we can do for your vehicle.
Can one locksmith really handle my home, car, and business needs?
Yes, and that’s the point of how we’re set up. We span car key replacement, emergency response, and rekeying, plus high-security hardware across eight major brands, so you’re not getting bounced between a residential guy, an auto guy, and a commercial guy. One provider. One call. No referral runaround.
Ready to get your lock or key sorted? Call Thornton Lock & Key at (888) 455-7175 for a free estimate and a straight answer about what your job actually needs.
Have a question we didn’t cover? Call Thornton Lock & Key at (888) 455-7175.