Apartment Locksmith Work: Walkups, Co-ops, and Condos
Apartment locks come with apartment rules. In most rentals the landlord controls the main lock, so before any swap we'll tell you which jobs need a conversation with management and which don't — many NYC leases allow tenants to add their own deadbolt, but read yours before touching the main cylinder. Pre-war walkup doors usually run a deadbolt-plus-knob combo on a frame that settled decades ago, which is why keys start sticking long before a lock actually fails. Locked out right now? Our home lockout page walks through what to do. Just moved in? Start with a rekey.
Brownstones, Townhouses, and Private Homes
Private homes bring different hardware: mortise locks set into thick wood doors, iron gates under the stoop, basement entrances nobody has rekeyed in years. We service and replace all of it, and we'll be straight about what's worth keeping — a solid old mortise body with a fresh cylinder often outlasts a cheap new lock. For owners who want a genuine upgrade, we install Medeco and Mul-T-Lock cylinders that resist picking, drilling, and unauthorized key copying. Our high-security locks page explains how those differ from standard hardware.
Rekeys, Smart Locks, and Everyday Lock Repairs
Most residential calls are everyday stuff: rekey after a roommate moves out, fix a deadbolt that stopped catching, replace a worn knob, fit a smart lock onto a stubborn old door. Rekeying is usually the budget-friendly move when the hardware is healthy — see rekeying — while a full lock change makes sense after a break-in or when you're upgrading. Smart locks get extra scrutiny from us: door thickness, backset, and whether the building's self-closing door will fight the motor. We'll tell you before you buy the wrong one.
Common Questions
Can a renter change the locks in NYC?
Often yes, but leases vary. Many allow tenants to add a deadbolt; changing the main lock usually involves the landlord. We'll flag what needs permission before any work starts.
Do you install smart locks on old doors?
Yes. We check door thickness, backset, and frame condition first, and tell you honestly if a specific model won't suit your door.
Should I rekey or replace my locks?
Rekey when the hardware is in good shape and you only need old keys to stop working. Replace when the lock is damaged, worn out, or you want a security upgrade.
What will it cost?
You get a transparent quote before work begins — no hidden fees.