Standard Locksmith Services
Lock Specialists

From new lock installation to rekeying and key duplication, Lock Specialists delivers professional locksmith services at your door—on your schedule.

Family Owned
Fully Licensed
Available 24/7
CA Licensed (BSIS #LCO6643)
Licensed & Background-Checked
Upfront Pricing
Mobile On-Site Service 

Professional Lock Services for Every Home

Not every lock problem is an emergency. Sometimes you need a new deadbolt installed. Sometimes your locks need rekeying after a move. Sometimes you just need a few spare keys cut.

Lock Specialists provides complete residential locksmith services across Simi Valley and surrounding areas. Our mobile technicians arrive at your home equipped to install, repair, rekey, and duplicate—handling your lock needs on-site, on your schedule, with upfront pricing and professional results.

We've been the locksmith Simi Valley homeowners trust since 1973. Whether it's routine maintenance or a planned upgrade, we bring the same expertise and care to every job.

Dennis Murphy
Founder

SERVICE OVERVIEW

What We Do

Lock Specialists handles the full range of standard residential locksmith services:

  • Lock Installation — New deadbolts, doorknobs, lever handles, and specialty locks installed correctly.
  • Lock Repair & Maintenance — Sticky, loose, or misaligned locks fixed and maintained for long life.
  • Lock Rekeying — Change who has key access without replacing your locks.
  • Key Duplication & Cutting — Precise copies and code-cut replacements on-site.

Every service is performed by licensed, background-checked technicians using professional tools and quality hardware. We arrive in fully equipped service vans, ready to complete your job in a single visit.

locksmith inspecting lock

Lock Installation

Whether you're upgrading old hardware, securing a new home, or adding protection to a vulnerable entry point, proper lock installation matters. A lock installed incorrectly—misaligned, loose, or poorly fitted—fails sooner and protects less.

Lock Specialists installs residential locks of all types with precision and care. We ensure proper alignment with your door and frame, secure mounting, and smooth operation from day one.

A deadbolt is your primary defense against forced entry. We install single-cylinder and double-cylinder deadbolts on exterior doors, ensuring the bolt aligns perfectly with the strike plate and extends fully into the frame.

We install:

  • Standard deadbolts
  • High-security deadbolts (bump-proof, pick-resistant, drill-resistant)
  • Smart deadbolts with keypad or digital entry
  • Double-cylinder deadbolts for doors with nearby glass

If your exterior door has only a doorknob lock, adding a deadbolt is the single most important security upgrade you can make.

Doorknobs and lever handles provide convenience and basic security for interior and exterior doors. We install entry knobs with keyed cylinders, passage knobs for interior doors, and privacy knobs for bathrooms and bedrooms.

We install:

  • Keyed entry knobs and levers
  • Passage (non-locking) knobs and levers
  • Privacy knobs and levers with interior locks
  • ADA-compliant lever handles

We match your existing hardware style or help you choose new hardware that fits your home’s aesthetic and security needs.

Factory-installed sliding door locks are notoriously weak—often simple latches that can be forced or bypassed in seconds. We install secure sliding door locks that actually protect this vulnerable entry point.

We install:

  • Secondary sliding door locks
  • Foot-operated locks
  • Loop locks and double-bolt locks
  • Security bars and Charlie bars

A properly secured sliding door requires more than the factory latch. We assess your door and recommend the right combination of locks and bars.

Exterior gates—driveway gates, side gates, garden gates—are often overlooked entry points. We install gate locks appropriate for your gate type, material, and security needs.

We install:

  • Keyed gate locks
  • Deadbolt gate locks
  • Padlock hasps and security hasps
  • Self-locking gate latches
  • Keypad and digital gate locks

Gate locks face weather exposure and heavy use. We install hardware rated for outdoor conditions and ensure proper fit and alignment for reliable operation.

A compromised mailbox means stolen mail, identity theft risk, and the hassle of missing bills and packages. We install and replace mailbox locks for residential boxes and cluster units.

We install:

  • Standard mailbox cylinder locks
  • High-security mailbox locks
  • Replacement locks for cluster box units

If your mailbox lock is worn, jammed, or you’ve lost the key, replacement is quick and affordable.

Lock Repair & Maintenance

Locks wear out. Dirt accumulates, mechanisms loosen, alignments shift. A lock that's getting harder to operate isn't just annoying—it's warning you of eventual failure.

Lock Specialists repairs and maintains residential locks to restore smooth operation and extend service life. We troubleshoot problems on-site and fix them the same visit.

A sticky lock—one that’s hard to turn, requires jiggling, or catches partway—has an underlying problem. Forcing it risks breaking your key or jamming the mechanism completely.

Common causes:

  • Dirt and debris in the cylinder
  • Dried-out lubrication
  • Worn pins or springs
  • Minor misalignment with strike plate

We diagnose the cause, clean the cylinder, lubricate internal components, and adjust alignment as needed. Most sticky locks are restored to smooth operation in minutes.

A loose lock—wobbling doorknob, cylinder that moves in the door, handle with excessive play—is both a security weakness and a sign of progressing wear.

Common causes:

  • Loose mounting screws
  • Worn internal components
  • Damaged door bore
  • Failed setscrew on the cylinder

We tighten, adjust, or replace worn components to eliminate play and restore solid, secure function. If the door itself is damaged, we can recommend repair options.

When your door settles, swells, or shifts, the lock and strike plate fall out of alignment. The bolt doesn’t extend fully into the strike, or you have to lift or push the door to get it to latch.

Symptoms of misalignment:

  • Door must be lifted or pushed to lock
  • Bolt scrapes against strike plate
  • Lock only engages partway
  • Door rattles because bolt doesn’t seat firmly

We adjust the strike plate position, file or replace the strike as needed, and ensure the bolt seats fully. Proper alignment means secure locking and smooth operation.

Annual lock maintenance prevents sticky mechanisms, extends lock life, and catches problems before they become emergencies.

Our maintenance service includes:

  • Cleaning the keyway and cylinder
  • Lubricating internal pins and springs
  • Checking and tightening mounting hardware
  • Testing key operation and bolt engagement
  • Inspecting for wear and recommending repairs

A few minutes of maintenance now prevents a lockout or failure later. We offer maintenance during any service call or as a standalone visit.

replacing lock

Lock Rekeying

Rekeying changes the internal pin configuration of your lock so existing keys no longer work—without replacing the lock hardware itself. It's faster and more affordable than full replacement, and it's the right solution when you need to control key access.

Lock Specialists rekeys residential locks on-site, providing new keys immediately. We rekey single doors or your entire home in one visit.

Whether you’ve lost a key, ended a relationship, or simply don’t know who has copies, rekeying restores your control over who can enter your home.

We rekey:

  • Front doors, back doors, side entries
  • Garage-to-home doors
  • Deadbolts, knob locks, and lever handles
  • Single locks or whole-home rekeying

After rekeying, only your new keys operate the lock. Old keys are permanently locked out.

When you buy a home, you don’t know who has keys—previous owners, their family, contractors, housekeepers, neighbors, real estate agents. Rekeying eliminates that uncertainty.

Our new homeowner service includes:

  • Rekeying all exterior door locks
  • Verifying all locks function properly
  • Providing new keys for family members
  • Inspecting lock condition and recommending upgrades if needed

We recommend rekeying before you move furniture in—ideally, the day you close or get possession.

California law requires landlords to rekey locks between tenants. Lock Specialists provides efficient, affordable rekeying for landlords managing single properties or multiple units.

We offer:

  • Individual unit rekeying between tenants
  • Multi-unit rekeying on your schedule
  • Key tracking and organization systems
  • Volume pricing for property managers

We work around your move-out/move-in timeline and can coordinate multiple units in a single visit.

A master key system allows one key to open multiple locks while each lock also has its own unique key. Useful for homeowners with multiple entry points, detached structures, or rental units.

Applications:

  • One key for all your exterior doors
  • Separate keys for a guest house or rental unit
  • Landlord master access with tenant individual keys
  • Access hierarchy for multi-generational homes

We configure master key systems during installation or rekey existing locks into a master system. We explain the trade-offs and set up a system that matches your needs.

residential door lock

Key Duplication & Cutting

Spare keys prevent lockouts. Lock Specialists duplicates and cuts keys on-site with professional equipment—accurate copies that work smoothly every time.

Need keys for family members, housekeepers, pet sitters, or a neighbor? We duplicate standard residential keys on-site in minutes.

We duplicate:

  • Pin-tumbler house keys
  • Deadbolt keys
  • Doorknob and lever keys
  • Older and unusual key profiles

Our key cutter produces precise duplicates. No sticky keys, no keys that work “sometimes.”

Mailbox keys are frequently lost or never provided in sufficient quantity. We duplicate mailbox keys for residential boxes and cluster mail units.

We duplicate:

  • Standard mailbox keys
  • Cluster box unit keys
  • Post office box keys (where permitted)

If you have one working mailbox key, we can make more. If you’ve lost all copies, we can replace the lock or cut a key by code.

Lost all your keys? We can cut a new key without a copy to duplicate—using the lock’s code or by decoding the cylinder itself.

How it works:

  • If your lock has a code stamped or recorded, we cut a key to that code
  • If no code is available, we decode the lock cylinder to determine the correct cuts
  • New key is cut on-site and tested immediately

Key cutting by code is essential when you’ve lost your only key. It’s faster and cheaper than replacing the lock—and you keep your existing hardware.

duplicate key

WHY PROFESSIONAL SERVICE

Why Choose a Professional Locksmith

You can buy locks at the hardware store. You can watch YouTube videos on installation. So why call Lock Specialists?

Professional service means:

  • Correct installation — Proper alignment, secure mounting, and smooth operation from day one.
  • Right product selection — We match locks to your doors, your security needs, and your budget.
  • Troubleshooting expertise — We identify underlying problems, not just symptoms.
  • Quality hardware — We use professional-grade products that outlast big-box bargains.
  • Warranty protection — Improper DIY installation often voids manufacturer warranties.
  • Time savings — What takes you a frustrating afternoon takes us 30 minutes.

A locksmith visit costs less than you think—especially compared to a lock installed wrong, a broken DIY project, or a lockout caused by deferred maintenance.

MOBILE SERVICE

On-Site Mobile Service

Lock Specialists brings the shop to you. Our mobile service vans are fully equipped with:

  • Professional lock installation tools
  • Key cutting and duplication equipment
  • Common locks, deadbolts, and hardware in stock
  • Rekeying pins and cylinders for major brands
  • Diagnostic and troubleshooting tools

We complete most standard locksmith services in a single on-site visit. No return trips for parts. No waiting for orders.

SCHEDULING

Flexible Scheduling

Standard locksmith services don't require emergency response—but they do require fitting into your life. 

We offer:

  • Scheduled appointments — Pick a time that works for you.
  • Same-day service — Often available for straightforward jobs.
  • Accurate time windows — We show up when we say we will.
  • Efficient service — Most jobs completed in under an hour.

Call to schedule, or describe your project and we’ll estimate timing and cost before booking.

lock maintenance process

Why Simi Valley Chooses Lock Specialists

Lock Specialists is the local locksmith trusted for compliant, professional, and dependable residential security solutions.

Fully Licensed & Regulated

Fully licensed under the California Locksmith Act (BSIS LCO6643) for verified, legal service.

50+ Years of Experience

Established in 1973 with deep roots in Simi Valley and Ventura County.

Background-Checked Technicians

All locksmiths complete Live Scan federal and state background checks.

Mobile & Responsive

We come to you across Simi Valley, Moorpark, Chatsworth, and Porter Ranch.

SERVICE AREAS

Standard Locksmith Services

We provide mobile residential locksmith services throughout:
Based in Simi Valley, we serve the entire region with reliable, on-time service.
Dennis Murphy Lock Specialist

What Customers Say

Lock Specialists is highly recommended by local homeowners for professionalism and results.

FAQs

Standard Locksmith Service Questions

Pricing depends on the lock type, door preparation needed, and quantity. We provide upfront quotes before scheduling. Basic deadbolt installation typically starts around $75–150 including hardware.

A single lock takes about 10–15 minutes. Whole-home rekeying (4–6 locks) typically takes under an hour.

Rekey if your locks are in good condition and you just need to change key access. Replace if locks are worn, damaged, outdated, or you want to upgrade security. We’ll help you decide during the service call.

Often, yes. We can rekey many new locks to match your existing key, reducing the number of keys you carry. Let us know this is a priority when scheduling.

Yes. We install and configure digital entry systems including keypad deadbolts, smart locks, and Bluetooth-enabled locks. We can recommend models that fit your needs and budget.

Annual lubrication and inspection is ideal for exterior locks. Interior locks need less frequent attention. If a lock is getting harder to operate, don’t wait—call for service before it fails.

 “Do Not Duplicate” stamps have no legal force—they’re a request, not a restriction. However, restricted keyway keys (Medeco, Primus, etc.) require authorization and can only be duplicated by authorized dealers. We handle both appropriately.

Need Locksmith Service? Call Today.

From new installations to rekeying to key duplication, Lock Specialists delivers professional residential locksmith services at your door.
Contact Lock Specialists