Locksmith FAQ

Response times depend on your location. In Auburn we typically arrive in 15 to 25 minutes. Nearby cities like Pacific, Algona, Edgewood, Kent, and Sumner are 15 to 40 minutes. Federal Way, Renton, Maple Valley, and Puyallup are 25 to 50 minutes. More distant areas like Seattle, Tacoma, Gig Harbor, or Enumclaw can be 40 to 95 minutes. For genuine emergencies (child in vehicle, medical urgency), we dispatch immediately.

Yes. Auburn Lock & Car Keys is a real local business based at 110 2nd St SW Suite 306, Auburn, WA 98001. When you call (253) 796-8550, you reach a real local locksmith, not a national call center that subcontracts to whoever happens to be available.

Yes. We provide full commercial locksmith service including master key systems, access control installation, panic bar and exit device service, commercial rekeying after staff turnover, high-security cylinders, and 24/7 emergency commercial response. See our commercial services page for details.

We accept all major credit cards, debit cards, and cash. For commercial clients with ongoing service relationships, we offer Net-30 billing arrangements with service contracts. Payment is collected after the work is complete.

We provide accurate flat-rate quotes over the phone before we dispatch. For most standard services (lockouts, rekeying, key replacement), we can quote the exact price upfront. For larger jobs like access control installation or master key system design, we can provide on-site assessments.

Standard pricing: house lockouts $65 to $135, car lockouts $65 to $135, lost car key replacement $125 to $385 depending on key technology, lock rekeying $25 to $45 per lock plus a service call. Modest mileage adjustments apply for service areas outside Auburn. Always quoted upfront.

Car key pricing varies by technology. Old-style mechanical keys are the cheapest. Transponder keys (with a chip in them) require specialized programming equipment. Smart proximity keys (push-button start vehicles) are the most expensive due to advanced electronics. Pricing depends on what your specific vehicle requires.

Most after-hours service is the same flat-rate price as daytime service. For very late-night or holiday emergencies in distant service areas, modest after-hours adjustments may apply — always quoted upfront. We don't believe in surprise after-hours upcharges.

Look for these signs: flat-rate price quoted over the phone before dispatch, real local address (not just a national 800 number), Washington state licensing, online reviews from real local customers, and a refusal to inflate prices once the tech arrives. Avoid locksmiths advertising suspiciously low prices ($15-$19) — those almost always climb dramatically on-scene.

Yes. Our mobile auto locksmith comes to your vehicle's location with full key-cutting and programming equipment. We handle transponder keys, smart proximity keys, and key fobs on-site. This saves $150 to $500 compared to towing your vehicle to a dealer.

Yes — we handle smart proximity keys, key cards, and modern automotive electronics for Tesla, BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Porsche, and most other premium vehicles. Some 2018+ specialty European models require dealer software; we verify capability via VIN before dispatching.

Call us. We can make replacement keys from scratch for most vehicles without needing the original. We use your VIN to cut the mechanical portion of the key and then program any electronic chip or smart functionality at your location. Bring proof of ownership (registration, title, or insurance with photo ID).

Yes. We provide key replacement and lock service for motorcycles, RVs, and many specialty vehicles. Motorcycle keys are typically simpler and faster than car keys. RV keys depend on the make and model — we can verify capability before dispatching.

We perform broken key extractions safely without damaging the lock or ignition cylinder. In most cases, we can also cut you a replacement key on the spot using whatever portion of the original is recovered, plus VIN-based decoding when needed.

Rekeying is almost always the right answer for a new home purchase. Rekeying changes the internal pins so old keys no longer work, while reusing your existing lock hardware. It's faster and cheaper than full replacement. Full replacement only makes sense if the existing hardware is worn out, damaged, or you want to upgrade to higher-security or smart lock options.

A standard rekey of 3-5 typical residential locks takes 30 to 60 minutes on-site. We handle the work at your home; you don't need to bring locks anywhere. After we're done, all locks operate with the same new key, and old keys are permanently disabled.

Smart locks are great for many households, especially those with multiple regular visitors (family, housekeepers, dog walkers), short-term rental properties, or homes where keys get lost frequently. Quality options include Schlage Encode, August Pro, Yale Assure, and Level Lock. We can install and configure smart locks with your existing home automation if relevant.

Yes. House lockouts are one of our most common calls. We arrive quickly, identify the lock type, and use professional non-destructive methods to open standard residential locks. Bring identification matching the address. Most house lockouts are resolved in under 30 minutes on-site.

If lost keys could compromise your security, rekey immediately. Once we rekey your locks, the lost keys no longer work. This is faster and cheaper than replacing hardware, and gives you peace of mind. We can typically respond same-day for this concern.

Yes. Master key systems allow managers to access all spaces while staff have access only to their work areas. We design master key hierarchies appropriate to your organizational structure, install the cylinders, and produce the coded keys. For ongoing key control, we offer restricted keyway systems where keys cannot be duplicated without authorization.

Yes. We install card reader access control, fob systems, keypad entry, and multi-credential access control for businesses. These systems provide audit trails of who accessed what when, remote credential management, and easy revocation when staff leave. We work with quality access control brands appropriate to your facility size.

We provide 24/7 emergency commercial lockout service. If you're locked out of your office, warehouse, or business at 3 AM, call (253) 796-8550. We respond around the clock, including nights, weekends, and holidays. Bring documentation showing your authority over the property when possible.

Yes. We service warehouses, distribution centers, and industrial properties throughout King and Pierce counties — especially the Port of Tacoma corridor, Kent valley warehouses, and Sumner industrial areas. Services include overhead door locks, dock door hardware, yard gate security, master keys, fleet locksmith, and 24/7 emergency response.

Any locksmith situation where waiting is unsafe or impossible: child or pet locked in a vehicle, person locked out in unsafe weather or unsafe location, security incident (broken-in lock, lost keys with security concerns), commercial property locked when business operations are blocked, broken key in ignition. All of these get immediate dispatch.

Yes — immediately. Call (253) 796-8550 and tell us this is the situation. We treat this as the highest priority and dispatch the closest available tech. If the child or pet is in immediate distress (hot weather, no air conditioning, medical concern), call 911 first; emergency responders will get the vehicle open faster than we can travel to you.

Yes. A real local locksmith answers (253) 796-8550 every hour of every day, including 3 AM, weekends, and holidays. We have techs available for genuine emergencies around the clock. Response times may be longer overnight, but we always respond.

We serve all of South King County and Pierce County, Washington. Major cities include Auburn, Kent, Federal Way, Renton, Seattle, Bellevue, Kirkland, Tacoma, Puyallup, Lakewood, Gig Harbor, and many smaller communities. See our complete service areas page for the full list of 54+ cities we serve.

Yes. Many locksmiths refuse rural service or charge extreme travel fees. We serve rural communities throughout King and Pierce counties including Buckley, Carnation, Duvall, Enumclaw, North Bend, Orting, Roy, and Skykomish with honest mileage adjustments quoted upfront.

Yes. Most Tacoma calls reach in 40 to 65 minutes from Auburn. We provide full residential, automotive, and commercial service throughout Tacoma. Our honest flat-rate pricing is especially valuable in a city like Tacoma where locksmith scams are unfortunately common.