Lock Change & Rekey
When you move into a new apartment on Grand Concourse, take over a rental unit in Fordham, or hand keys to a new tenant in Mott Haven, the smartest security move you can make is a professional lock change or rekey — before you unpack a single box. You have no way of knowing how many copies of the old key exist or who still holds one. Fordham Locksmith Bronx is a 24/7 mobile lock change service that comes directly to your door anywhere in The Bronx, swapping out door knob locks, deadbolts, and mortise locks — or rekeying existing hardware so old keys never work again.
Open 24 hours, 7 days a week · Licensed, bonded & insured
Our trained, insured technicians carry a full inventory of residential and commercial-grade hardware on every truck, so most jobs are completed in a single visit with no damage to your door frame or finish. Whether you need a routine house lock change after a tenant turnover or an emergency lock change at midnight because a key went missing, call 718-785-8324 — we answer every hour of every day, including weekends and holidays.
What we do
Available 24/7
Day, night, weekends and holidays — a real local locksmith answers and rolls a fully-stocked van.
Fast local response
Based in The Bronx, we reach the The Bronx area in well under an hour.
Insured & background-checked
Vetted technicians, up-front pricing, and no surprise add-ons when we arrive.
Damage-free entry
We pick and bypass locks the right way, so most lockouts are solved without drilling anything.
Lock Change & Rekey: What the Service Actually Covers
A lock change means the entire lockset — cylinder, bolt mechanism, and hardware — is removed and replaced with a new unit. A rekey is a more targeted procedure: a trained technician disassembles the existing lock cylinder and replaces the internal pins so the old key no longer operates it, while a freshly cut key does. Both outcomes achieve the same security goal — severing access for anyone who held a previous key — but the right choice depends on the condition and age of your existing hardware, your security goals, and whether the lock is worth preserving. Our technicians walk you through the difference on-site and give you an honest recommendation rather than defaulting to the more expensive option.
The service extends well beyond standard knob-and-deadbolt sets. Bronx buildings — especially the older pre-war stock you find along Valentine Avenue or near Tremont — often feature full mortise locks embedded directly into the door edge. A mortise lock change is more involved than swapping a cylindrical lock: the lock body sits inside a pocket cut into the door, and the replacement unit must match that pocket's dimensions precisely. Our technicians are experienced with mortise lock work on both residential apartment doors and the heavy commercial doors you find on storefronts, office suites, and multi-family building entrances throughout the borough.
Door Knob Lock, Deadbolt, and Mortise Lock Replacement — Done Right
Not every lockset is interchangeable. A door knob lock on a bedroom or interior door has very different security requirements than a deadbolt on a street-facing entry, and both differ from a commercial mortise lock on a business that needs to meet building-code specifications. When our mobile unit arrives at your location, the technician measures your door thickness, checks the backset distance, and confirms the prep-hole dimensions before selecting a replacement. We stock Schlage, Kwikset, and comparable commercial-grade hardware in multiple finishes and security ratings, so you are not stuck with a single option. If you have a preference — say, a specific Schlage B-series deadbolt to match existing hardware — let us know when you call and we will confirm availability before we roll.
For landlords managing multiple units in buildings along Burnside Avenue or in the Co-op City complex, a master-key rekey program is often more practical than individual lock changes after every tenant turnover. We can rekey an entire building's worth of locks to a new master key while issuing unique change keys per unit — maintaining management access without duplicating tenant keys. This is a service we provide on-site in a single scheduled visit, minimizing disruption to current residents.
Emergency Lock Change and When You Cannot Wait Until Morning
A break-in attempt that damages the lock face, a domestic situation where locks must be changed immediately, a lost key in an unfamiliar part of the borough — these are not business-hours problems. Fordham Locksmith Bronx operates around the clock specifically because security emergencies do not respect schedules. An emergency lock change dispatched at 2 a.m. near Yankee Stadium or in the Pelham Bay neighborhood gets the same trained technician, the same quality hardware, and the same up-front price confirmation as a daytime appointment. The factor that varies is availability, and our 24/7 structure means a real dispatcher picks up at 718-785-8324 any time you call — not an answering machine.
If you are locked out of your vehicle and need to rush somewhere — a medical appointment, a job site, a family situation — our mobile team handles automotive lockouts as well. We use non-destructive entry methods to get you back into your car without damage to the door or lock, and if the ignition or door lock cylinder needs replacement, we carry automotive hardware for a wide range of makes and models. Call 718-785-8324 the moment you realize you are locked out, and we will tell you an honest estimated arrival time based on where our nearest technician is at that moment.
Our Locksmith Service Includes: 25+ Specific Solutions for Bronx Residents and Businesses
Fordham Locksmith Bronx is a true mobile locksmith operation — we come to you with the tools and parts to handle the job on the first visit. Here is a specific breakdown of what our lock change services and broader work cover: residential deadbolt replacement, door knob lock replacement, single-cylinder and double-cylinder deadbolt installation, mortise lock change and mortise lock installation, mortise lock cylinder replacement, rekey after tenant move-out, rekey after a move-in to a new residence, master-key system setup for multi-unit buildings, high-security lock upgrades to bump-resistant cylinders, Schlage and Kwikset hardware installation, commercial lock change for office and retail doors, commercial storefront lock replacement, panic bar and exit device installation, electronic keypad lock installation, smart lock conversion from traditional deadbolt, mailbox lock replacement, gate lock and padlock installation, garage door lock replacement, file cabinet and desk lock replacement, safe lock service and combination reset, automotive door lock cylinder replacement, car lockout service using non-destructive entry, transponder key duplication and programming, broken key extraction from lock cylinder, and lock repair for damaged or stiff mechanisms. Every one of these services is performed by an insured technician who confirms the scope and price before any work begins — no hidden fees after the fact.
For business owners on Fordham Road or near the Hub in Tremont, a commercial lock change is often tied to employee turnover or a lease transition. We understand that a storefront that cannot open on time is lost revenue, which is why our commercial locksmith response is structured to be fast and thorough. We also handle access-control hardware for offices that need keycard or code-based entry rather than traditional keyed locks — including Honeywell door lock code changes and code resets on electronic access devices, and defiant lock change code reprogramming on keypad deadbolts common in residential buildings. If you have a master lock combination that needs to be changed on a padlock or storage unit, our technicians can handle that in the field as well.
How Much Does a Locksmith Charge in The Bronx — and What Determines Your Quote
One of the most common questions we hear is some version of: how much is a locksmith in The Bronx, how much does a locksmith charge per hour, how much should locksmiths charge, or how much does an emergency locksmith cost near me? These are fair questions, and the honest answer is that a single flat number does not exist because several real variables affect the final price. The type of lock matters significantly — rekeying a standard cylindrical deadbolt takes different labor and parts than a full mortise lock change on a heavy commercial door. Time of day is a factor, since after-hours and emergency response involves different logistics. Travel distance within The Bronx plays a role, and the specific hardware you choose — security grade, brand, and finish — affects the parts cost.
What we commit to is this: before our technician touches your lock, we confirm an exact up-front price based on those factors. You approve it or you do not — there is no pressure and no surprise invoice at the end. If you want a general sense of scope before we arrive, call 718-785-8324 and describe your lock type, the number of locks, and your location in The Bronx. Our dispatcher can give you a realistic estimate on the phone. Who is the best locksmith near me in Bronx, NY? The answer depends on who shows up, treats your property with care, explains what they are doing, and charges what they quoted — and that is exactly how every Fordham Locksmith Bronx visit works.
Frequently asked questions
Do you provide 24/7 locksmith services for lock changes and emergencies in The Bronx?+
Yes — Fordham Locksmith Bronx operates every hour of every day, including nights, weekends, and holidays. Whether you need a routine house lock change or an emergency lock change after a break-in attempt, call 718-785-8324 and a live dispatcher will answer, confirm your location anywhere in The Bronx, and get a technician moving toward you. There is no after-hours voicemail and no callback window — we answer in real time.
Do you solve issues with a lock change and installation on the same visit?+
In the vast majority of cases, yes. Our mobile trucks are stocked with a wide range of residential and commercial hardware — deadbolts, door knob lock sets, mortise lock bodies, cylinders, and electronic keypads — so we can remove your old lock and install the replacement in a single visit. If you have a very specific hardware request, let us know when you call so we can confirm we have it on the truck before arriving.
What is the difference between a lock change and a rekey, and which one do I need?+
A lock change swaps out the entire lockset with new hardware. A rekey replaces only the internal pins inside the existing cylinder so that previous keys no longer work — the lock body itself stays in place. A rekey is typically the right choice when your existing lock is in good condition and you simply need to cut off access for a former tenant or previous owner. A lock change makes more sense when the hardware is worn, damaged, low-security, or when you want to upgrade to a higher-grade lock at the same time. Our technician will assess your lock on-site and give you an honest recommendation before any work begins.
Can I get my car door open if I'm locked out and need to leave urgently?+
Absolutely. Fordham Locksmith Bronx handles automotive lockouts in addition to residential and commercial work. If you cannot open your car door and need to get somewhere fast, call 718-785-8324 immediately. Our technician uses non-destructive entry methods designed to get you back inside without damaging the door, weather seal, or lock. We serve all neighborhoods in The Bronx and will give you an honest arrival estimate the moment you call.
How much does an emergency locksmith cost for a lock change in The Bronx?+
The final price depends on several factors: the type and brand of lock being changed, whether it is a standard cylindrical lock or a more complex mortise lock, the time of the call, your specific location in The Bronx, and the hardware you choose. What does not change is our process — we confirm an exact price with you before any work starts. Call 718-785-8324 and describe your situation; our dispatcher can give you a realistic estimate on the phone so there are no surprises when the technician arrives.
Do you handle commercial lock changes for Bronx businesses, including mortise locks and electronic access?+
Yes. Commercial lock change work is a core part of what we do. Bronx storefronts, office suites, restaurants, and multi-family building entrances often use mortise locks, panic bars, or electronic access hardware that require specialized knowledge and tools. Our technicians are experienced with mortise lock replacement, exit device installation, keypad and smart lock setup, and code changes on electronic systems including Honeywell and keypad deadbolt units. If your business has had employee turnover or a lease transition, call 718-785-8324 and we will schedule a same-day or next-day commercial visit.
Locked out or need a lock fixed? We are on the way.
Open 24 hours, 7 days a week · Insured, background-checked technicians · Up-front pricing
718-785-8324