Residential locksmith
Residential locksmith services in Ottawa
Most residential locksmith work is not emergencies.
What a residential locksmith actually does
Most residential locksmith work is not emergencies. Instead it is the sensible maintenance people postpone. Rekeying after a move, replacing a deadbolt that has fought you for a year, or fitting a keypad so nobody gets locked out again. Urban Locksmith handles all of it across Ottawa. Moreover most jobs finish in a single visit.
Rekeying versus replacing a lock
These sound similar but cost very differently. Rekeying changes the pins inside the existing cylinder, so old keys stop working. Consequently the hardware stays and the price stays low. By contrast, replacement swaps the whole lock. That makes sense when the finish is worn, the mechanism is failing, or you want a higher grade. Therefore Urban Locksmith usually recommends rekeying for a sound lock, and replacement only where the body has genuinely gone.
Why you should rekey after moving in
Nobody knows how many keys exist for a house you have just bought. Previous owners, their family, contractors, cleaners, and an agent may all hold one. Furthermore, none of them did anything wrong. Keys simply accumulate over the years. Rekeying takes minutes per lock and costs a fraction of replacement. Above all, it converts an unknown into a known. Urban Locksmith rekeys most Ottawa homes in a single short visit.
Deadbolts, smart locks and what actually helps
A Grade 1 or Grade 2 deadbolt with a long strike screw does more for security than almost anything else. Because most forced entries defeat the frame rather than the lock, screw length matters enormously. Smart locks add convenience and remove lockouts, though they introduce batteries. Therefore Urban Locksmith fits keypads with a mechanical override wherever possible. Consequently a flat battery never becomes a lockout.
Ottawa homes and the freeze-thaw problem
Exterior doors move with the seasons here. A frame that has swelled in July can bind in February. As a result the deadbolt fights the strike plate, and people force it. Eventually something breaks. Often the honest fix is adjusting the strike rather than replacing the lock. Naturally Urban Locksmith will say so if that is the case. Nobody benefits from selling hardware that was never the problem.
Every residential service we offer
Most requested residential services
Residential locksmith questions
How much does rekeying cost?
It is priced per cylinder and is far cheaper than replacement. Moreover Urban Locksmith quotes the whole house on the phone.
Can you match all my locks to one key?
Usually yes, provided the cylinders share a keyway. Therefore one key can open front, back and garage.
Are smart locks actually secure?
The good ones are, and they remove lockouts entirely. However, we fit models with a mechanical override so a flat battery never traps you.
Do you work on condo and apartment doors?
Yes for unit doors. However, building common doors need management authorisation.
Can you come on a weekend?
Yes, at the same rate. There is no weekend premium.
Where we cover
Urban Locksmith covers Ottawa and every community within an hour’s drive — 47 areas altogether. Moreover you get an honest arrival window on the phone rather than a number chosen to win the booking.