Locksmiths install, service, maintain, and repair mechanical and electronic security products – keys, locks, safes, and associated hardware. Locksmiths are highly skilled and are required to be trade qualified and licensed to work as a locksmith.

The answer depends on the particular lock. With over 40 years of first-hand experience installing and repairing residential and commercial locks, I can tell if a lock is capable of being fixed or if the lock will need to be replaced altogether.

Most locks can be installed within 30 minutes, but this depends on the type of lock and if there are any modifications that need to be done.

In many cases, keys can be made by a locksmith from the code number of a lock. This is common with vehicles, padlocks, filing cabinets, etc. They cannot be made from VIN numbers.

Many new cars come standard with transponder keys. These provide extra security because a car will only start if the digital chip and key match. This does come with a downside. Losing a key can be much more costly, especially if you replace it at the dealership.