Frequently Asked Questions

Our average response time across the Tampa Bay area is just 10 minutes. We have mobile technicians stationed throughout Hillsborough and Pinellas County, so there's almost always someone nearby. During peak hours or extreme weather events, response times may be slightly longer, but we'll give you an accurate ETA when you call.

Yes. The Locksmith Shop provides 24-hour emergency locksmith service, 7 days a week, 365 days a year -- including holidays, weekends, and during severe weather. Whether you're locked out at 3 AM or need an emergency lock change on Christmas Day, we're just a phone call away at (813) 832-4777.

Yes, and this is for your protection. We require valid identification and proof of ownership or residency before performing any lockout service. For homes, a driver's license matching the address, a lease agreement, or a utility bill works. For vehicles, we accept registration, title, or insurance documents. If you can't provide documentation, we can still help -- we'll just coordinate with local law enforcement to verify ownership.

We serve the entire Tampa Bay metro area, including Tampa, South Tampa, Brandon, Carrollwood, Town 'N' Country, Temple Terrace, New Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Largo, Pinellas Park, Dunedin, Safety Harbor, and surrounding communities across Hillsborough and Pinellas County. If you're not sure whether you're in our service area, give us a call and we'll let you know.

Absolutely. We're certified installers for all major smart lock brands including Schlage, Yale, August, Kwikset, and more. We can help you choose the right smart lock for your needs, install it professionally, set up the app and access codes, and integrate it with your smart home system. We also provide ongoing support for programming, troubleshooting, and battery replacements.

Yes. We provide a full range of commercial locksmith services for Tampa businesses, including master key systems, access control installation, high-security lock upgrades, panic bar installation and repair, commercial rekeying, file cabinet and safe locks, and emergency commercial lockouts. We work with offices, retail stores, restaurants, warehouses, and property management companies throughout Tampa Bay.

Yes. Our automotive locksmith technicians can program transponder keys, key fobs, smart keys, and proximity keys for most makes and models. We can also cut and program spare car keys on-site, which is typically 40-60% less expensive than going through a dealership. We work with Ford, Chevy, Toyota, Honda, Nissan, BMW, Mercedes, and many more.

We accept all major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover), debit cards, cash, Venmo, Zelle, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. Payment is collected after the work is completed to your satisfaction. We also offer financing options for larger commercial projects and whole-home security upgrades.

Yes. All of our locksmith services come with a 90-day labor warranty. If anything we installed or repaired fails within 90 days due to workmanship, we'll come back and fix it at no charge. Hardware warranties vary by manufacturer but are typically 1-3 years for residential locks and up to a lifetime for premium brands like Medeco and Mul-T-Lock. We'll go over the specific warranty details for your service before we begin.

It depends on your situation. Rekeying is the more affordable option ($25-$40 per lock) and is ideal when your locks are in good condition but you need to invalidate old keys -- such as after moving into a new home, ending a relationship, or losing your keys. Lock replacement is recommended when your locks are worn out, damaged, outdated, or you want to upgrade to higher-security or smart lock hardware. During a service call, we'll inspect your existing locks and give you an honest recommendation.

Yes. The Locksmith Shop is fully licensed in the state of Florida, bonded, and carries comprehensive general liability insurance. We've been serving the Tampa Bay area since 2009 and maintain an excellent reputation with the Better Business Bureau. All of our technicians undergo background checks and ongoing training to stay current with the latest lock technologies and security standards.

Yes. We provide safe opening and safe cracking services for residential and commercial safes. Whether you've forgotten the combination, the electronic keypad has failed, or the lock mechanism is jammed, our technicians have the tools and training to open most safes without damage. We can also change combinations, repair safe locks, and install new safes.

The best prevention is a smart lock with keypad or app access -- you'll always have a backup way in. If you prefer traditional locks, give a spare key to a trusted neighbor or family member. Avoid hide-a-keys, which burglars easily find. You can also install a lockbox with a combination code near your entrance. We're happy to recommend the best solution for your specific situation during a service call.