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.
Trusted Lock Installation & Rekey for Manhattan Homeowners
Our Lock Installation & Rekey - Manhattan service typically costs $45-$85 per cylinder for rekeying and $180-$450 for new lock installation, with most residential jobs completed in a single visit. Novak Lock & Security Manhattan has installed or serviced over 60,000 locks since 2002, and every job starts with a written price that the technician is contractually prohibited from changing at the door. If you’re moving into a new condo in the Financial District, upgrading a pre-war rental on the Upper West Side, or replacing a failed smart lock in Midtown Manhattan, we stock the hardware and pin kits to finish same-day. Call (862) 319-3759 and a live person will answer, 24 hours a day.
What Our Lock Installation & Rekey Service Includes
Smart Lock Installation
Smart locks connect to your phone or home network for keyless entry, activity logging, and remote access codes. In Manhattan, we install them most often in condos and co-ops where owners want to manage dog walkers, cleaners, or short-term guests without copying physical keys. Novak Lock & Security Manhattan pre-configures the lock on our bench, tests Wi-Fi bridge compatibility with your building’s network, and trains you on the app before we leave, with a written warranty and photo record of the installation.
Keyless Entry
Keyless entry systems use proximity cards, fobs, or Bluetooth credentials instead of traditional keys. We install these in Manhattan lobby entrances, elevator banks, and shared amenity spaces where property managers need audit trails of who entered and when. Our technicians program each credential on-site, archive the master programming card with your building’s management office, and document the credential numbers in your written scope sheet.
Keypad Lock
Keypad locks accept a numeric code and are popular for Manhattan brownstone garden apartments, home offices, and secondary entry doors. We see a lot of failed keypad locks in Morningside Heights and Astoria where moisture has corroded the contact points after harsh winters. Novak Lock & Security Manhattan carries weather-rated Schlage and Kwikset keypad models with sealed circuit boards, and we always demonstrate code changes twice before considering the job complete.
Biometric Lock
Biometric locks scan fingerprints or, in newer models, facial geometry to grant access. These are requested most often by Manhattan clients who want to eliminate lost-key risk for household staff or elderly family members. We calibrate the sensor sensitivity to account for dry winter skin and minor cuts that can cause false rejects, then enroll multiple fingers per authorized user and test each one under our documented quality checklist.
Electronic Lock
Electronic locks encompass hardwired electrified strikes, magnetic locks, and battery-powered deadbolts with motorized bolts. In Manhattan’s older buildings, we frequently replace failed electrified strikes in pre-war door frames where the original installer did not account for wood shrinkage or door sag. Our technicians carry jamb reinforcement plates and adjustable strikes to correct these alignment issues without damaging historic millwork.
Key Duplication
Key duplication creates working copies from an existing key using a code machine or manual duplicator. We duplicate standard Kwikset and Schlage keys in under five minutes, and high-security Abloy or Medeco keys by code when you provide the original key card with the bitting code. Every duplicate is tested in the lock before you pay, and we retain the code in our records for future reference if you lose all copies.
What happens when you call
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A real person answersNo phone trees - you reach a local pro.
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You get an upfront price rangeHonest numbers before anyone is dispatched.
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A background-checked tech heads outLicensed & insured, dispatched right away.
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You approve before work beginsNothing starts until you say go.
Brands We Service for Lock Installation & Rekey
We’ve serviced hundreds of Schlage residential and commercial grade locks in Manhattan apartments, and we stock their B60N deadbolts, FE595 keypad levers, and Connect smart deadbolts with Z-Wave modules. Our technicians are factory-authorized to install and program Schlage Encode models, and we carry the proprietary programming tools that big-box retailers do not sell to consumers.
Abloy Protec2 cylinders are common in Manhattan’s newer luxury buildings for their rotating disc mechanism that resists picking and bumping. We’ve rekeyed hundreds of Abloy cylinders for property managers in Long Island City and our Lock Installation & Rekey in Jersey City, and we maintain the exclusive key blanks and pinning kits that Abloy distributes only to authorized dealers. Whether you have Schlage, Abloy, Kwikset, Sargent, or any other make, we can source parts, rekey cylinders, or replace the entire lockset with hardware that matches your door prep.
Signs You Need Lock Installation & Rekey Right Now
- Your key sticks, jams, or requires jiggling to turn. This usually indicates worn pin chambers, a bent key, or accumulated grit from Manhattan street dust. A lock in this condition can fail completely without warning, leaving you outside or unable to secure the door. We disassemble the cylinder, inspect for chamber scoring, and either rekey to fresh pins or recommend replacement if the housing is damaged.
- You’ve lost track of who has copies of your keys. Previous tenants, contractors, dog walkers, or ex-partners may still possess working keys. Rekeying changes the internal pin combination so old keys no longer operate the lock, at a fraction of replacement cost. We rekey while you wait and provide a written key control log showing how many copies were cut.
- The lock was forced, drilled, or shows tool marks. Even if the lock still functions, the internal components may be cracked or the bolt may not fully extend into the strike. We photograph the damage, test bolt throw depth with a caliper, and replace any lock that fails our security audit rather than patching it.
- You’re moving into a new home or apartment. In Manhattan’s competitive rental market, landlords rarely rekey between tenants. We recommend rekeying every exterior lock on move-in day, and we schedule these appointments with building supers for access to common areas and utility closets.
- Your lock is more than 15 years old and shows corrosion. Salt air from the Hudson and East Rivers accelerates corrosion in Manhattan, particularly in ground-floor units and basement storage rooms. We inspect for pitting that weakens the bolt or strike, and we upgrade to stainless steel or brass hardware rated for coastal exposure.
Our Lock Installation & Rekey Process - Step by Step
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Call and receive a firm written quote. When you call (862) 319-3759, the dispatcher asks for your lock brand, door material, and whether you need rekeying or full replacement. We quote a price range based on that information, enter it into our system, and Haven Standard Clause 1 prohibits the technician from changing it at your door. You receive the quote number by text or email before we dispatch.
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Technician arrives with documented credentials. Your technician arrives in a marked van, in uniform, with a photo ID badge that matches the name we texted you. We photograph the technician at your door for our records and provide you a copy on request. This is standard procedure, not an upgrade.
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On-site diagnosis and confirmation. The technician examines your lock with a borescope when needed to inspect internal chambers without disassembly, measures backset and door thickness, and confirms the scope of work matches the phone quote. If we find unexpected damage that changes the scope, we stop and call the office for a revised written quote before proceeding.
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Execution with photo documentation. We perform the rekey or installation using factory-specified tools, torque drivers for proper screw tension, and depth keys to verify pin placement. The technician photographs the completed work, the serial numbers of any new hardware, and the key control log. These images are archived with your job record.
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Testing, training, and written documentation. Every key is tested in the lock three times. For smart locks and keypads, we walk you through programming, code changes, and battery replacement. You receive a written invoice matching your quote, a 365-Day Done Right Promise card, and instructions for accessing your photo record online. Payment is collected only after you confirm satisfaction.
How Much Does Lock Installation & Rekey Cost in Manhattan?
A typical residential rekey in New York runs $45-$85 per cylinder, with most apartments requiring two to four cylinders (front door, service entrance, storage unit). New lock installation ranges from $180 for a standard grade 2 deadbolt to $450 for a smart lock with Wi-Fi bridge and app configuration. High-security cylinder upgrades with Medeco or Mul-T-Lock hardware fall between $220 and $380 per cylinder, including two keys with restricted duplication rights.
Several factors affect your final price. Door condition matters: a pre-war Manhattan door with stripped screw holes or non-standard backset requires a reinforcement plate or modified strike, adding $35-$75 in materials. Smart lock complexity varies: a Bluetooth-only model installs faster than a Z-Wave or Wi-Fi lock requiring network troubleshooting in buildings with congested 2.4 GHz spectrum. After-hours service carries a surcharge that we disclose in the initial quote, never on arrival.
To avoid overpaying, get any competitor’s estimate in writing and bring it to us for a free second opinion. We will review their scope line by line and explain where hardware grades, labor allowances, or warranty terms differ from our quote. Our price includes the service call, labor, hardware, standard keys, photo documentation, and the 365-Day Done Right Promise. There is no separate “trip charge” or “diagnostic fee” added after the fact.
Free estimates are available by phone or, for complex commercial systems, by scheduled on-site survey. The estimate is always written, always firm, and always the price on the invoice.
Lock Installation & Rekey Near Manhattan - Our Service Area
We dispatch technicians from our Manhattan base to the Upper West Side, Upper East Side, Morningside Heights, and Midtown Manhattan with typical arrival times of 25-45 minutes for scheduled appointments. Our coverage extends to Astoria, Long Island City, Flushing, and Forest Hills in Queens, the Financial District and Jersey City across the Hudson, and Hackensack to the west. For Lock Installation & Rekey in Upper West Side or Lock Installation & Rekey in Upper East Side, we stock neighborhood-specific hardware profiles, including the high-security cylinders common in co-op buildings along Central Park West and the smart lock models preferred in newer condo developments near Second Avenue.
Serving Manhattan, NY - Our Local Coverage Area
We’re based in the Manhattan area and know this community well. Use the map below to see our service coverage - if you’re nearby, we can almost certainly help.
Frequently Asked Questions - Lock Installation & Rekey in Manhattan
Lock installation replaces the entire lockset, including the cylinder, bolt, and strike plate. Rekeying keeps your existing hardware but changes the internal pin combination so old keys no longer work. Novak Lock & Security Manhattan performs both services, and we recommend rekeying when the lock body is sound but key control has been lost, and installation when the lock is damaged, obsolete, or you want to upgrade security grade.
A standard residential rekey takes 15-25 minutes per cylinder. Full lock installation requires 45-90 minutes depending on door condition, hardware complexity, and whether the new lock matches the existing door prep. Smart lock installations in Manhattan buildings with complex lobby intercom systems may take longer for network configuration. We quote time estimates with price estimates, and we do not charge by the hour.
Rekeying runs $45-$85 per cylinder. Standard deadbolt installation is $180-$280. See our Lock Installation & Rekey cost guide for full pricing, and note that smart locks with professional configuration range from $320-$450. Your dispatcher quotes the exact range for your specific lock and door type before scheduling, and Haven Standard Clause 1 locks that price. Call (862) 319-3759 for a written estimate with no obligation.
Yes. We are factory-authorized for Schlage, stock Kwikset SmartKey cylinders and replacement cores, and carry high-security lines including Abloy, Medeco, and Mul-T-Lock. We also service Sargent commercial grade hardware common in Manhattan office buildings. If we do not stock your specific model, we source it within 24 hours or offer a compatible upgrade with equivalent or superior security ratings.
Yes. Our phones are answered by live operators 24 hours a day, and we maintain emergency response capacity for lockouts, break-in damage, and failed locks that compromise security. Emergency service carries a disclosed surcharge that we quote upfront. For non-urgent rekeys and installations, we offer next-day and weekend scheduling without rush fees.
Every job is backed by our 365-Day Done Right Promise: if the lock malfunctions, the key sticks, or the smart lock loses connectivity due to our installation, we return and correct it at no charge. Hardware defects are covered by manufacturer warranty, and we handle the replacement claim on your behalf. This promise is documented in writing on every invoice.
Have your current keys available, know your building’s access procedures for service personnel, and clear a workspace around the door. For smart lock installations, have your Wi-Fi network name and password ready, and confirm whether your building uses a 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz network. If you are rekeying due to a security concern, tell us how many old keys existed so we can advise on the appropriate number of new copies. Call (862) 319-3759 to schedule, and we will text you a confirmation with your technician’s name and photo before arrival.
Schedule Your Lock Installation & Rekey Service in Manhattan Today
Call (862) 319-3759 now and a live person will answer, 24 hours a day. We will ask about your lock, quote a firm price range, and schedule service at your convenience. Every job includes a written price before we start, a documented photo record, and the 365-Day Done Right Promise. There is no obligation until you approve the scope, and no charge until you confirm the work is correct.
Written by Daniel Novak, Owner at Novak Lock & Security, serving Manhattan since 2002.