Home Rekey & Lockout Help
Moving into a new home in Charlotte — whether it's a craftsman bungalow in Dilworth, a newer build in Steele Creek, or a townhome near NoDa — is one of the biggest transitions you'll make. What most new homeowners don't realize until they're handing over moving boxes is that the locks on those doors have been opened by strangers: previous owners, real estate agents, contractors, neighbors who borrowed a spare. Rekeying your locks the day you move in isn't a luxury — it's the single fastest way to ensure that only the people you choose can enter your home. Pro Charlotte Locksmiths sends trained, insured mobile technicians directly to your door, so you don't have to haul locks to a hardware store or figure out the job yourself.
Open 24 hours, 7 days a week · Licensed, bonded & insured
We also understand that lockouts don't schedule themselves. Whether you stepped outside to grab the mail at midnight, your door knob lock malfunctioned during a rainstorm on I-485, or a mortise lock mechanism failed on a busy weekday morning, we answer every call around the clock. Our mobile team carries the tools, parts, and hands-on experience to handle standard door knob locks, heavy-duty mortise lock setups, deadbolts, and multi-point locking systems — all without unnecessary damage to your door or frame where at all possible. If you need help right now, call (704) 900-1321. We answer 24/7.
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 Charlotte, we reach the Charlotte 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.
More about our work
Everything you need to know about how we help — at a glance.
Why Rekeying After a Move Is the Smartest Home Security Step You Can Take
When a locksmith rekeys a lock, the internal pin tumblers inside the cylinder are reconfigured so that all previously cut keys become useless. The hardware itself — your existing Schlage or Kwikset lock body — stays in place. This is different from a full lock replacement, which costs more and takes longer, and is usually only necessary when hardware is damaged or you want to upgrade. For most move-in situations, rekeying is the precise, efficient solution. Our technicians arrive at your home, inspect each lock, and rekey every entry point to a single new key — so you're carrying fewer keys and managing better control over who has access. We can also rekey to match one another if you have a mortise lock on your front door and a standard deadbolt on the back — creating a master key solution that works across your whole home.
Charlotte's housing market moves fast. Homes in Plaza Midwood, South End, and University City often go from listing to closing in days, which means the key handoff process can involve multiple parties across a compressed timeline. Our technicians have rekeyed everything from vintage mortise lock systems in the historic Fourth Ward to modern smart-lock-adjacent setups in the newest Ballantyne subdivisions. We bring the right tools for each job because mortise lock mechanisms — those full-body locks common in older and higher-end doors — require a different disassembly process than a standard door knob lock. Skipping this step because it seems complicated is exactly why we exist.
Home Rekey & Lockout Help: What Happens When You're Locked Out
Being locked out of your home triggers a specific kind of stress, and the instinct to solve it fast can sometimes lead people toward choices that damage their door or get them taken advantage of. Before you call anyone, do a quick, calm check: is there a spare key with a neighbor or family member nearby? Is a secondary entrance — a back door, garage entry, or window — safely accessible without climbing or forcing anything? If none of those options apply, stop there. Attempting to force a lock, pry a door, or follow internet bypass tutorials risks damaging the door knob lock or mortise lock hardware, splintering the door frame, or voiding a warranty — and none of it is as simple as it looks online.
When you call Pro Charlotte Locksmiths at (704) 900-1321, our dispatcher will verify your identity and ownership of the property — we ask for your name, address, and a photo ID when we arrive, which is standard professional practice and protects you as the homeowner. Our technician will then use non-destructive entry techniques wherever the lock and door condition allow it, preserving your existing hardware so there's no additional cost for parts you didn't need replaced. If your lock is damaged beyond saving, we'll show you the problem, explain the options, and give you a confirmed price before any new hardware is installed. We work 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including weekends and holidays — because Charlotte doesn't stop, and neither do we.
Mortise Lock Service, Door Knob Lock Repair, and the Full Scope of What We Handle
A mortise lock is not the same as a cylindrical door knob lock, and treating them as interchangeable is one of the most common mistakes homeowners and even some less experienced technicians make. Mortise locks are set into a pocket — the mortise — cut into the edge of the door. They're common on exterior doors in Charlotte's older neighborhoods like Elizabeth, Cherry, and Chantilly, and on upscale new construction that prioritizes heavy-duty security. The internal components — the latch, deadbolt, lock body, and face plate — all need to be understood as a system before any rekeying or repair begins. Our technicians are experienced with mortise lock service, which includes disassembly, cylinder replacement, rekeying, case repair, and full mortise lock replacement when the mechanism is worn beyond reliable function.
Beyond mortise lock work, our mobile service covers door knob lock rekeying and replacement, deadbolt installation and rekeying, keypad and electronic lock support, sliding door lock repair, padlock rekeying, garage door lock service, and multi-point locking door systems. We also handle lockouts for detached garages, storage rooms, and in-law suites on residential properties. Our vans are stocked with a wide range of Schlage and Kwikset lock hardware in standard and high-security grades, so we can complete most jobs in a single visit without a return trip. Here is a specific list of the residential services our team provides on every call: front door deadbolt rekey, rear door deadbolt rekey, door knob lock rekey, mortise lock rekey, mortise lock cylinder replacement, mortise lock case replacement, full lock set replacement (knob and deadbolt), Schlage lock installation, Kwikset lock installation, smart lock retrofit and setup support, garage side door lock service, sliding patio door lock repair, French door lock adjustment, master key system setup for multi-entry homes, spare key duplication on-site, emergency lockout entry (non-destructive), emergency lockout entry when lock replacement is required, key extraction (broken key in lock), lock lubrication and maintenance service, door hardware alignment correction, strike plate reinforcement installation, door knob lock upgrade to deadbolt, high-security cylinder upgrade, keyless entry keypad installation, and after-hours lockout service with no additional call-center runaround.
How Locksmith Pricing Works and How to Know You're Working With a Reputable Team
One of the most common questions we hear — especially from first-time homeowners going through this process in Charlotte — is some version of 'how much does a locksmith cost in NC?' or 'is there a fair price I should expect to pay?' The honest answer is that several real factors influence what a locksmith job costs, and any quote you receive before those factors are assessed should be treated with skepticism. The variables that shape the final price include the type of lock being serviced (a standard door knob lock rekey versus a full mortise lock cylinder replacement are very different jobs), the time of day or night the service takes place, how far our nearest technician needs to travel to reach you, and whether any parts — cylinders, lock bodies, strike plates — need to be sourced and installed. At Pro Charlotte Locksmiths, we confirm an exact price with you before any work begins, period. There are no surprise charges added to your bill after the job is done.
As for knowing whether a locksmith is reputable: the right signals are transparency, not pressure. A professional locksmith will ask for your ID at the door, will give you a firm written or verbal quote before starting, will arrive in a marked vehicle, and will never pressure you into replacing hardware that doesn't need replacing. Our technicians are trained and insured, and we encourage you to ask us questions — about the process, the parts, and why we're recommending what we're recommending. The emergency locksmith industry has bad actors, and Charlotte residents deserve to work with a team they can verify and trust. Calling a direct line like (704) 900-1321 and speaking to a real dispatcher — rather than a call-center relay — is itself a meaningful signal. We own our calls, our technicians, and our outcomes.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a locksmith cost in NC, and what makes the price go up or down?
There is no single flat rate that applies to every locksmith job in North Carolina, and any company that quotes you a price before knowing what lock type you have, where you're located, and what time of day you need service is guessing. The factors that determine your final price at Pro Charlotte Locksmiths include the type of lock involved — a mortise lock job is more involved than a door knob lock rekey — the time of the service call, travel distance to your location, and whether replacement parts are needed. What we commit to is giving you a confirmed, exact price before any work begins so you never see a surprise charge on the other side of the job.
How much is the average locksmith charge for a home rekey in Charlotte?
The price of a home rekey varies based on how many locks are being rekeyed, the type of locks on your doors (door knob locks, deadbolts, and mortise lock cylinders each have different labor and parts considerations), and the time of day you schedule the service. Rather than give you a figure that might not reflect your actual situation, we prefer to dispatch a technician, assess your locks in person, and give you a confirmed price before a single pin is touched. That approach protects you from estimates that balloon into something else — a problem that unfortunately happens in the emergency locksmith space more than it should.
Where can I find residential locksmith services in Charlotte, NC for rekeying and lockouts?
Pro Charlotte Locksmiths provides residential locksmith services across the Charlotte area, including neighborhoods like Dilworth, Plaza Midwood, NoDa, Ballantyne, Steele Creek, University City, and everything in between. We are a fully mobile operation, meaning our trained and insured technicians come to your home — you don't drop anything off or wait at a storefront. We handle move-in rekeying, door knob lock replacement, mortise lock service, emergency lockouts, and more. Call (704) 900-1321 any time — we answer 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Is $200 a lot for a locksmith, and how do I know if a quote is fair?
Whether any specific amount is appropriate depends entirely on what the job involves. A simple door knob lock rekey on one door is a different scope of work than a mortise lock cylinder replacement at 2 a.m. on a door with a damaged frame. What makes a quote fair is transparency: you should know exactly what you're paying for, and that price should be confirmed before work starts — not adjusted upward after the job is finished. At Pro Charlotte Locksmiths, we give you a firm price up front every time. If a quote you've received elsewhere doesn't include a breakdown of labor, parts, and any after-hours factors, that is a reason to ask more questions before agreeing.
How do I know if a locksmith is reputable before I let them work on my home?
Reputation in the locksmith industry comes down to a few concrete behaviors: a reputable team will ask to see your ID before performing any lockout or rekey service — that protects you as much as it protects them. They'll arrive in an identifiable vehicle, give you a written or clearly stated price before starting, and won't pressure you into replacing hardware that doesn't need replacing. Our technicians are trained and insured, and we operate under the Pro Charlotte Locksmiths name — not a generic relay that dispatches unknown contractors. You can also trust your gut: if someone arrives unmarked, refuses to show credentials, or gives you a price that suddenly changes after they've started the work, those are serious warning signs.
Can you rekey a mortise lock the same day, and do you carry parts on your van?
Yes. Mortise lock rekeying and cylinder replacement are services our technicians perform regularly, and our mobile vans are stocked with cylinder components, replacement hardware, and tools suited to mortise lock disassembly and reassembly. Mortise locks — common in Charlotte's older historic homes and on premium new construction — require a different process than a standard door knob lock, and our team is experienced with both. In most cases, a same-day or same-visit mortise lock rekey or repair is entirely achievable. Call (704) 900-1321 to describe your lock situation and we'll tell you exactly what to expect before we arrive.