Frequently Asked Questions

You call (862) 319-3759, speak with our live coordinator, and describe your situation. We ask specific questions - lock type, brand if known, address, and urgency - then quote a firm price. If you approve, we schedule a window, name your technician, and send a text when they are en route. Upon arrival, the technician verifies the scope, performs the work, documents with photos, and provides a written invoice with warranty. The whole process is designed around The Haven Standard: flat price, written scope, documented record, no surprises.

In most cases, yes. Our technicians carry specialized picks, bypass tools, and decoding equipment that open standard pin-tumbler locks without drilling. The technique depends on the lock grade and condition. High-security cylinders like Abloy or certain Sargent profiles may require more time but are still opened non-destructively by trained pros. If a lock is already damaged or malfunctioning, we explain what we found and present options before any destructive entry. We document the condition with photos as Evidence on every job - Haven Standard Clause 4.

A residential lockout takes 15-30 minutes from arrival to entry. Rekeying a 2-bedroom apartment with 3-4 locks takes 45-60 minutes. Installing a new deadbolt on a standard wood door takes 30-45 minutes. Commercial master key systems and access control installations are surveyed and scheduled, with timelines quoted per scope. We give you a realistic window when you call, not an optimistic guess. Arrive on schedule - Haven Standard Clause 2 - means a real window, a named tech, and communication if anything shifts.

For residential work, yes - we require the property owner or authorized tenant present with valid ID matching the address or lease. For commercial properties, a designated facilities manager or authorized representative must be on-site. We do not perform work based on remote authorization alone; this protects you and our technicians. Property managers in Morningside Heights and the Upper West Side often set up standing authorization protocols for their buildings, which we keep on file.

Your address with apartment or suite number, the type of service needed, the lock brand if visible, and whether this is an access issue or a security upgrade. Photos of the lock help our coordinator quote accurately. For commercial jobs in Midtown or the Financial District, we also ask about key control requirements and any existing master key system. The more detail you provide, the more precise our phone quote - and the less time the technician spends diagnosing on-site.

We service and install Schlage, Kwikset, Sargent, and Abloy, among others. For Manhattan apartments and brownstones, we often recommend Schlage Grade 2 deadbolts for their balance of security, durability, and key control. Kwikset SmartKey offers convenient rekeying for renters who change roommates frequently. Sargent and Abloy are our go-to for commercial buildings in the Financial District and Midtown where high-traffic durability and restricted keyways matter. We stock common configurations and can order specialty hardware with clear lead times quoted.

Yes. We work on virtually all residential and commercial lock brands, including imports and discontinued models. Our technicians carry pinning kits compatible with major manufacturers. For obsolete or proprietary systems, we source parts through our network or recommend honest replacement options. We do not push new hardware when a repair or rekey is the practical solution - our quote reflects what you actually need, not what we prefer to sell.

These are ANSI/BHMA grades measuring cycle durability and forced-entry resistance. Grade 1 is commercial-duty, rated for 800,000 cycles and 10 strikes - overkill for most homes but standard for Midtown office buildings. Grade 2 is light commercial and high-end residential, rated for 400,000 cycles and 5 strikes; this is our typical recommendation for Manhattan apartments and brownstones. Grade 3 is residential basic, rated for 200,000 cycles and 2 strikes. We explain the grade of your existing hardware and whether an upgrade is warranted by your security needs, not by our inventory.

Every pro working under our name is required to hold the license and insurance New York State requires for locksmith work. We verify these credentials before anyone represents Novak Lock & Security. Our license numbers are available on request, and technicians carry documentation on-site. Verified crews - Haven Standard Clause 3 - means licensed, insured, background-checked, with license number available. This is non-negotiable in our network.

Ask for the business name, a firm price quote, and whether the technician will arrive in a marked vehicle with identification. Check that the company has a verifiable Manhattan address, not just a phone number. Legitimate locksmiths do not arrive in unmarked cars or refuse to provide written estimates. We encourage you to verify our credentials - our local branch serves Manhattan with the backing of Novak Lock & Security's established standards and documentation system.

Background checks are required as part of Haven Standard Clause 3. The independent owner-operator of this branch is responsible for crew verification, and the Haven system audits compliance. We do not make claims about individual screening results we cannot produce on request; we state the requirement and the verification process that supports it. You are welcome to request license and insurance documentation at any time.

We are open Monday through Sunday, 7:30 AM to 8:00 PM. During these hours, we schedule appointments with real arrival windows and text notifications when your technician is en route. We do not claim 24/7 availability or emergency response times we cannot guarantee. For lockouts and urgent needs within our operating hours, we prioritize same-day service across Manhattan, the Upper West Side, Upper East Side, and adjacent areas. Call (862) 319-3759 to check current availability - we'll give you an honest window, not a promise we might break.

First, confirm you have no alternate entry - check with a roommate, building super, or property manager if applicable. If professional entry is needed, call us at (862) 319-3759 with your address, lock type if known, and whether you have ID matching the residence. We quote a firm price, dispatch a named technician, and open your door using non-destructive methods when possible. Do not attempt to force the lock yourself - damaged cylinders often require full replacement, turning a simple lockout into a more expensive repair.

We focus on residential and commercial locksmith services - homes, apartments, and businesses. For automotive lockouts in Manhattan, we recommend contacting a dedicated automotive locksmith or your roadside assistance provider, as modern vehicle electronic systems require specialized programming equipment outside our core scope. We are happy to refer trusted partners for this work.

Yes. Key extraction is a common service we provide across Manhattan neighborhoods. We use specialized extractors and lubricants to remove broken key fragments without damaging the lock cylinder. In most cases, the lock remains fully functional after extraction. If the broken key reveals underlying wear or damage, we show you photos of what we found - Haven Standard Clause 4 - and quote any needed repair separately before proceeding.

Every job carries a written warranty documented on your invoice. Hardware warranties follow manufacturer terms - typically 1 year for residential locks, longer for certain commercial grades. Our labor warranty covers installation and service work for 90 days. If something fails due to our workmanship, we return and make it right at no charge. Have it in writing - Haven Standard Clause 1 - means flat price, written scope, written warranty, before anyone starts. No surprises - Clause 5 - means no door upsell, no scope creep, no "while we are in here."

We address concerns directly and promptly. If our work does not match the written scope on your invoice, we return to correct it. Our documentation system - photos, readings, written records - means we can review exactly what was done and what was found. We do not hide behind fine print. The Haven Standard exists precisely because this trade has too many operators who do. Your satisfaction is tied to measurable deliverables, not vague promises.

Yes, for buildings in Midtown Manhattan, the Financial District, and commercial corridors in Long Island City and Jersey City. We survey your hardware, key control system, and access points, then propose a scheduled maintenance scope with flat per-visit pricing. This prevents the emergency premium of reactive service and extends hardware life. Written scope, flat price, documented record - the same Haven Standard applied proactively.

Yes. Every job generates a documented record with photos, technician notes, and invoice details. We provide copies on request for insurance claims, building management, or your own files. Commercial clients in the Upper East Side and Financial District often use these records for audit trails and warranty claims. Evidence on every job - Haven Standard Clause 4 - is not just a promise; it is a system you can access.

Written by Daniel Novak, Owner at Novak Lock & Security Manhattan, serving Manhattan, the Upper West Side, Upper East Side, and surrounding neighborhoods since we opened our local branch.