Locksmith FAQs

A locksmith works on the hardware that controls access to a property — locks, cylinders, latches, handles, strikes and keys. That covers helping with access problems, diagnosing why a lock is not operating correctly, repairing or replacing hardware, and changing which key operates a lock.

Access problems are a standard part of locksmith work. Get in touch and describe the property, the door and what has happened — for example whether a key is lost, snapped, or locked inside. That determines the approach and what needs to be brought to site. Availability depends on the day and the current schedule, so please confirm when you contact us rather than assuming immediate attendance.

Repair can be appropriate when the lock body itself is sound and the problem is a specific, serviceable fault — a misaligned strike plate, a dry or dirty cylinder, a loose handle, or a component that can be adjusted or replaced individually. Repair is less appropriate when the hardware is significantly worn, damaged, or no longer suits how the door is used.

Replacement tends to make sense when a mechanism is worn beyond adjustment, when the lock has been physically damaged, when parts are no longer obtainable, or when the current hardware is not well matched to the door. Replacement is also common when a door has been altered or when access requirements have changed.

Rekeying changes the internal configuration of an existing lock so that it operates with a different key. The lock body stays on the door. It only applies to locks that are designed to be rekeyed and that are in serviceable condition, so the specific hardware needs to be checked first.

Yes — apartment entry doors are a regular part of residential locksmith work. Apartments often involve fire-rated door sets, communal entrances, intercom or reader-controlled access, and owners corporation rules. Work on a shared entrance usually needs to be arranged through building management rather than an individual resident.

Yes. Commercial work covers offices, retail tenancies and commercial buildings, and is often coordinated with a property manager or building owner. Commercial doors typically use heavier hardware than domestic entries, so the assessment step matters more.

Damaged locks are assessed on the door. Depending on what has failed, the outcome may be a repair, a component replacement, or a full lock replacement. Not every damaged lock can be repaired, and we would rather tell you that up front than attempt a repair that will not hold.

Cost depends on the type of lock, the door and frame, the work required and what hardware is needed. Because those variables change the answer significantly, we do not publish fixed prices. Describe the situation through the quote form and you will get a response based on your actual property rather than a generic figure.

Yes. Before work is carried out on a lock, it is standard practice to confirm that you are entitled to authorise it — for example as the owner, the resident, or an authorised representative such as a property manager. This protects you and the property. Having identification or documentation available helps the job proceed without delay.

North Melbourne is the primary service area, with work also carried out in nearby suburbs including West Melbourne, Kensington, Parkville, Flemington, Carlton, the Melbourne CBD and Docklands. If you are just outside that range, ask — it is better to confirm than to assume.