Answers to the most common locksmith questions from San Jose homeowners, renters, business owners, and drivers. All 15 questions expanded - no clicking required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most calls in core San Jose neighborhoods like Willow Glen, Cambrian, Almaden Valley, and Downtown SJ are reached within 20 to 30 minutes. North San Jose near the tech campuses and Alviso may take a few minutes longer depending on current traffic on Highway 101 or 87. Call (408) 614-7772 for a live estimate - we tell you honestly, not optimistically.
No. We do not charge a higher rate for evening or weekend service calls. The price we quote on the phone is the price on the invoice. We are open Sunday through Friday, 9 AM to 9 PM, at the same rate all day. No time-of-day surcharges, no weekend premiums.
Yes. San Jose Locksmith holds California Locksmith License LCO 6739 issued by the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS). You can verify this license directly at BSIS.ca.gov by searching the license number LCO 6739 or the business name "San Jose Locksmith". California requires all practicing locksmiths to hold this license - it is not optional, and an unlicensed locksmith working on your home or vehicle is operating illegally.
Rekeying changes only the internal pin tumblers in an existing lock cylinder so that old keys no longer work. The hardware stays in place. Lock replacement swaps the entire assembly - the cylinder, housing, and all. Rekeying is typically much more affordable and just as secure when the existing hardware is in good condition. We recommend rekeying after a move, a lost key, or a situation where keys were shared with someone who no longer has access.
In most residential lockout situations, yes. We use professional lock picking and non-destructive bypass techniques that do not damage the lock cylinder or door frame. Drilling is a last resort used only when a lock is defective, seized, or irrecoverably jammed. We always explain the options before taking any action and get your go-ahead before we start.
Do not try to extract it with pliers, tweezers, or a knife - that often pushes the fragment deeper into the cylinder and can damage the pin stack. Call us at (408) 614-7772. We use professional extraction tools that grip and remove the fragment cleanly. San Jose's dry summer climate causes key metal fatigue more commonly than in coastal areas - broken key extraction is a frequent call for us.
Yes. We carry OBD-II transponder programming devices compatible with most domestic and imported vehicles including Toyota, Honda, Ford, Chevrolet, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Hyundai, Kia, and Subaru. Some vehicle makes require specific programming that is dealer-only - we will tell you upfront if that is the case. Call with your make, model, and year before dispatch to confirm compatibility.
Yes. We install and program smart locks including August Smart Lock, Schlage Encode, Kwikset Halo, Yale Assure, and similar keypad and Bluetooth deadbolts for San Jose residential properties. We handle the physical installation and walk through app pairing with you before we leave to make sure everything works. Most installs take 30 to 45 minutes.
Yes. We design and implement master key hierarchies for commercial properties of all sizes in San Jose - from a simple two-level system for a small retail space to a grand master system spanning multiple floors or buildings. We document every level of the system and provide a cut list for future key management. Common in North San Jose office parks, downtown retail, and multi-unit apartment buildings in Berryessa and Evergreen.
Go to BSIS.ca.gov and navigate to the License Search. Enter the license number or business name. For San Jose Locksmith, the license number is LCO 6739. The search returns license status, expiration date, and any disciplinary history. California requires all practicing locksmiths to hold this license. If a locksmith cannot provide a verifiable license number, do not let them work on your property.
All of them. Willow Glen, Cambrian, Almaden Valley, Berryessa, Evergreen, Rose Garden, Naglee Park, Japantown, Downtown SJ, Santana Row, Alum Rock, North San Jose, Alviso, Communications Hill, Blossom Valley, Edenvale, Fairgrounds, and the surrounding Silicon Valley communities. Call (408) 614-7772 if you are in a specific neighborhood and want to confirm current dispatch timing.
Call 911 to report the break-in first. Then call us at (408) 614-7772. We will re-secure the door on the same visit, replacing or reinforcing whatever was damaged. We provide a written invoice documenting the damage and repair - useful for insurance claims. We can also assess the rest of your entry points and upgrade to higher-security hardware on the same visit to reduce the risk of a repeat.
A stiff lock is usually caused by worn pin tumblers, corrosion from San Jose's morning fog and temperature swings, door frame misalignment from settling, or a dry cylinder that needs lubrication. In most cases a service visit diagnoses and addresses the issue without replacing the entire lock. A graphite spray temporarily helps - avoid WD-40 as it attracts dust and creates buildup over time. If the problem is persistent, the cylinder may need service or replacement.
Service cost varies by type of service. Residential rekeying is typically $25 to $75 per cylinder depending on the brand. Car lockouts and key programming tend to cost more due to equipment requirements. Deadbolt installation adds the cost of hardware. We quote every job before we start and there is no upfront service call fee. The amount on the invoice matches what we agreed before starting.
The most impactful upgrades in order of cost-effectiveness: (1) a Grade 1 ANSI-rated deadbolt if you have a builder-grade lock; (2) a reinforced strike plate with 3-inch screws anchored into the stud; (3) door frame reinforcement - most break-in attempts succeed at the frame, not the lock cylinder; (4) a smart lock with tamper alerts; (5) rekeying all entry points to eliminate old keys. We can assess and implement all of these in a single visit.
Call (408) 614-7772 - our dispatcher will answer your question on the spot and give you a clear price range if you need service.
Call (408) 614-7772