Non-destructive entry first, always - and we re-key Schlage, Kwikset, and Baldwin locks on the spot while you watch
You get a price before we start. It does not change when we arrive. No surprises.
Before
AfterLocksmith in Novato, CA
Locksmith work in Novato comes down to one thing: the housing stock. A lot of it went up in the 1960s through the 1980s, which means original lock hardware that’s now decades old, paired with doors and frames that have settled over time. That combination means a simple rekey can turn into a realignment job, and a deadbolt replacement sometimes requires reshaping the strike plate pocket. We run into this on almost every residential call here. If you need a locksmith in Novato, call (956) 275-7388 and we’ll give you a written price before any work starts.
Why Novato Homes Are Different
Novato stretches across a mix of terrains, from the flatlands near Old Town up into the hills around Ignacio and Black Point. Hill homes sit on shifting clay soil, and that matters for locks. A door that was square when it was hung in 1978 is rarely square now. Deadbolts bind, latch plates sit a quarter inch off, and strike plates no longer line up. A technician who just swaps the lock without addressing the alignment has to come back in a month, which is exactly the kind of thing our written guarantee covers.
The climate plays a role too. Summer fog off the bay keeps the west side of Novato damp, and salt air makes its way up the Petaluma River corridor. Exterior lock hardware corrodes faster here than it does in Sacramento or the East Bay. Schlage and Kwikset sets hold up well, but even good hardware needs regular lubrication and occasional internal cleaning. Older homes in the downtown area often have original Baldwin mortise locks, and those need a different set of tools and pins than a modern bored cylindrical lock. We stock parts for both.
One more thing worth knowing: some Novato neighborhoods have active HOAs with rules about exterior hardware finishes. If you live in a community where the front door hardware has to match a specific finish, tell us before we come out. We carry satin nickel, oil-rubbed bronze, and polished brass on the truck, so we can usually match without a second trip.
Our Main Novato Services
Most calls we get in Novato fall into three buckets: people who just bought a house and want new keys, people who have a lock that’s not working right, and business owners who need better control over who can get in. Each of these has its own Novato page below with pricing and details.
Rekey Locks in Novato
Rekeying means changing the pins inside the lock cylinder so the old key stops working and a new key takes its place. The hardware stays on the door. In Novato, this is the standard step after closing on a house, because you never know how many copies of the previous key are floating around. It’s also common after a tenant moves out of a rental unit or after a falling-out with someone who had access. Rekeying is faster and less expensive than replacing the whole lock, and it gives you the same result: old keys don’t work. Most Novato homes we see have Kwikset or Schlage cylinders, and both rekey cleanly. See Rekey Locks in Novato for pricing and the full process.
Residential Locksmith in Novato
Residential work in Novato covers deadbolt installation, lock replacement, hardware upgrades, and repairs to doors that no longer latch or lock properly. Because of the settling we described above, a good portion of these jobs involve realigning the strike plate or adjusting the door itself so the lock actually engages. We also replace worn handlesets and upgrade older locks to high-security deadbolts, including Medeco and other lines that resist picking and bumping. Every residential job ends with a written guarantee that covers the repair for one full year. For full details and pricing, see Residential Locksmith in Novato.
Commercial Locksmith in Novato
Novato’s commercial corridor along Redwood Boulevard and the business parks near San Marin Drive keep us busy with a different set of problems. Storefront doors with worn Adams Rite hardware, offices that need a master key system, and buildings where a former employee still has a key. Commercial work is scheduled and surveyed before we touch anything. You get a written scope, a flat per-lock price, and hardware recommendations based on how much traffic the door sees. We’re certified on Medeco, Mul-T-Lock, and Sargent high-security lines, which is what a lot of Novato schools and medical offices already use. Read Commercial Locksmith in Novato for the full commercial breakdown.
What happens when you call
- 1
A real person answersNo phone trees - you reach a local pro.
- 2
You get an upfront price rangeHonest numbers before anyone is dispatched.
- 3
A background-checked tech heads outLicensed & insured, dispatched right away.
- 4
You approve before work beginsNothing starts until you say go.
Brands We Service in Novato
We work on the hardware already installed in Novato homes and businesses, and we stock parts for the brands we see most: Schlage, Kwikset, and Medeco, plus Yale for older commercial hardware. Most standard repairs are done the same visit because the parts are already on the truck. See our brands for the full list.
Pricing for Locksmith in Novato, CA
| Service | Typical range in Novato |
|---|---|
| Rekey a single cylinder | $25 – $40 per cylinder |
| Rekey entire home | $100 – $220 |
| Rekey commercial locks | $50 – $60 per hour plus parts |
| Master key system setup | $45 – $75 per cylinder |
| Deadbolt installation | $55 – $110 per lock |
| High-security deadbolt installation | $155 – $325 per lock |
| Key duplication | $3 – $9 per key |
| High-security key duplication | $15 – $35 per key |
| Car key without chip | $5 – $15 |
| Full lock replacement | $150 – $500 per lock |
What pushes a Novato job higher is usually door alignment. If the door has shifted and the deadbolt won’t throw cleanly, we take the time to fix the strike plate and the hinge, not just the lock. You’ll get a written price before any work starts, and that price is the price on the invoice. No add-ons at the door.
Neighborhoods We Serve in Novato
We take calls everywhere in Novato, and our typical response time is 30 to 45 minutes for most of the city. Hill neighborhoods can add a few minutes.
- Old Town
- Ignacio
- San Marin
- Black Point
- Hamilton
Service Area – Cities Near Novato
If you’re just outside Novato, we also cover the surrounding North Bay communities. We take calls in San Rafael, CA to the south, Petaluma, CA to the north, and Fairfax, CA and San Anselmo, CA over the hill in Marin. Same written price promise in all of them.
Serving Novato, CA - Our Local Coverage Area
We’re based in the Novato area and know this community well. Use the map below to see our service coverage - if you’re nearby, we can almost certainly help.
FAQs About Locksmith in Novato
Most Novato calls are answered in 30 to 45 minutes. A live person answers the phone 24 hours a day, and the dispatch we give you is the same technician who shows up. No call center, no unmarked van. Call (956) 275-7388 for current response times.
Most Novato HOAs don’t restrict lock changes, but some require the exterior hardware finish to match the community standard. If you’re not sure, check your HOA rules before we arrive, or tell us the neighborhood and we’ll work with what we know. We carry the common finishes on the truck.
We cover the whole city, from Old Town to Hamilton and up into the hills. That includes residential homes, apartments, condos, and commercial buildings. If you’re within Novato city limits, you’re in our service area.
What happens when you call
- 1A real person answersNo phone trees - talk to a local locksmith pro.
- 2You get an upfront price rangeHonest numbers before anyone is dispatched. No surprises.
- 3We come out and measureLicensed & insured, at a time that suits you - the visit and the quote are both free.
- 4You get the price in writingLine-itemed, yours to keep, and nothing starts until you say go.
What Novato Customers Say
"Rekey on a small office building, five doors. Done in under an hour and the keys are labeled."
- Hugo M."Replaced a broken handle set and matched the finish. No upsell."
- Leon W."Upgraded to grade 1 deadbolts and reinforced the door frames with strike plates and longer screws. Feels solid."
- Nate P.