Guides

Locksmith guides

Plain answers from a Kitchener lock shop that has been cutting keys since 1976: what locksmith work costs, key fobs, rekeying and master key systems. Sourced and dated.

Costs

How Much Does a Locksmith Cost in Ontario?

Published Canadian cost guides put a house lockout at roughly $100 to $250 and a rekey at $40 to $160 per lock. Here's what each figure covers, where it comes from, and what moves a real quote up or down.

Key Fob Batteries and Programming: What You Can Do Yourself

A weak fob usually needs a new coin cell, not a new key. Here's how to swap the battery safely, how to tell when a fob really needs programming, and the difference between cloning and programming.

Master Key Systems Explained

A master key system lets each person carry one key that opens exactly the doors they need. Here's how the levels work, how to plan one, and why key control matters as much as the key plan.

Rekey vs Replace Locks: Which Do You Need?

Rekeying changes which key works; replacing changes the lock itself. If your hardware is sound, rekeying is usually all you need. Here's how to tell, and what each costs according to published Canadian guides.

Kitchener · Waterloo · Cambridge

Need keys, locks or a door looked at?

Call the shop, drop in on Manitou Drive, or tell us what you need and we’ll get back to you during store hours. Quotes are free.

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Or call the shop: 519-894-7055