Real questions from real calls, answered the way we’d answer them on the phone. We’re Locksmiths Perth 24/7, a licensed mobile locksmith based in Duncraig covering all of Perth, day and night. If your question isn’t here, call 0427 580 823 and ask.
Locked outLost or stolen keysMoving house and rekeyingCar keysKeypad and digital locksBusinesses and landlordsPrice, timing and trust
Locked out
I’m locked out of my house right now. What do I do?
Call 0427 580 823 and tell us where you are and what kind of door it is. We come to you, any time, day or night. Have some ID ready, and something with your name and the address, like a licence, a lease or a bill on your phone. If you’re safe and warm, wait somewhere you can see the door. Read more on our house lockouts page.
Can you open my front door without damaging it?
We try non-destructive entry first, and that works most of the time. In the unlikely event a barrel has to be drilled to get you in, we tell you before we do it, then replace the barrel and key it to your existing key at no charge, so nothing about your door changes.
I’m locked out of my car at the shops. Can you open it without damage?
Yes. We open any make, including European cars, with tools made for the job, and we don’t damage your car. Tell us the make and where you’re parked. More on our car lockouts page.
Can you open a security screen door?
Yes. Triple locks, older single locks and seized coastal locks are part of most house lockouts. If the lock has corroded past saving, we can replace it on the same visit. See security screen door locks.
I’m renting. Can you still let me in?
Yes, with ID and something that shows you live there. If you want the locks rekeyed afterwards, check with your property manager first, as they usually need to hold a key.
Do I have to prove I live there or own the car?
Yes, every time. It protects you as much as anyone. Photo ID plus something that ties you to the address or the car is enough.
Lost or stolen keys
I’ve lost my only car key. Can you make a new one, or do I need the dealer?
We make it at the car, no towing, and it’s usually a lot less than going through a dealer. Most keys are cut and programmed in about half an hour once we’re with the car. That’s for all Japanese cars, Hyundai and Kia, and most American cars including Ford and Holden. Start at lost all your car keys.
Can you make a key for a BMW, Mercedes, Audi or VW?
No, and we’ll tell you that straight away rather than waste your time. We can unlock any European car if you’re locked out, but the keys for those go through the dealer or a European specialist. The same goes for Chinese makes like MG, BYD and GWM.
Can you stop a lost car key from starting the car?
On the cars we make keys for, yes. When we program your new key we can remove the lost one from the car’s computer, so it can’t start the car even if it turns up. It may still open the doors, so keep valuables out of sight.
My house keys were stolen with my wallet. What should I do?
Rekey the locks today. Whoever has the keys also has your address from your licence. Rekeying makes the stolen keys useless in about an hour and you keep your locks. Read should I rekey or change the locks?
Someone has a key to my place and I don’t want them to have access any more.
Rekey. You don’t have to ask for the key back or explain anything to us. Old keys stop working, you get new ones, done in one visit. See rekeying.
My key snapped off in the lock. Can you get it out?
Yes, without wrecking the lock in most cases. Don’t try to dig it out with pliers or superglue, it usually pushes the piece deeper. See broken key removal.
Moving house and rekeying
We’ve just bought a house. Should we rekey or change the locks?
Rekey, nearly always. You can’t know who still has keys from the previous owners, their family, cleaners or tradies. Rekeying makes every old key useless in one visit and you keep the locks. We only replace a lock when it’s old or worn enough that a new one is cheaper than coming back to fix it later. Full answer: should I rekey or change the locks?
How long does it take to rekey a whole house?
About an hour for a typical Perth house with six to eight locks, including the security screens. You get the new keys and we hand back the old ones so you can bin them.
Can every door in the house be on one key?
Usually. Most Australian houses have locks on either the Gainsborough or the Lockwood key profile, and if they all match we key them alike. Plenty of Perth homes have Gainsborough on the doors and Lockwood on the screens, which means two keys unless we change the screen cylinders to match. We’ll tell you before we start.
Can you cut extra keys while you’re here?
Yes, we cut keys on the spot from the van. See key cutting.
Do you rekey between tenants?
Yes, all the time, for landlords and property managers across Perth. The best time is straight after the final inspection, before the new tenant picks up keys. We can key it so the agent keeps a working key.
What’s the difference between rekeying and changing the locks?
Rekeying changes the pins inside your existing lock so it works with a new key. Changing the locks means new hardware on the door. Rekeying is quicker and cheaper, and it’s what most people actually need.
Car keys
Which cars do you make keys for?
All Japanese cars (Toyota, Mazda, Honda, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Subaru, Suzuki and others), Hyundai and Kia, and most American cars including Ford and Holden. We open European and Chinese cars but don’t make keys for them. Full list on car makes we cover.
Who can make a key for a Toyota HiLux, Mazda CX-5 or Ford Ranger in Perth?
We can, at the car. HiLux, Ranger, Triton, Navara, BT-50, Colorado, LandCruiser, Prado and Patrol are the utes and 4WDs we see most, and they’re all cars we cut and program keys for. See utes, vans and 4WDs.
My car remote has stopped working. Can you fix it?
Try a new battery first. If that’s not it, we can supply and program a replacement remote or key-integrated remote at the car. See remotes and smart keys.
Is a locksmith car key as good as a dealer key?
It does the same job. It’s cut to your car and programmed to your car’s computer, the same as the dealer would, and you don’t need to get the car to them.
Can you make a spare key while I still have one?
Yes, and it’s the cheapest time to do it. Copying an existing key is simpler than making one from scratch after it’s lost. See spare car keys.
Do you fix car door locks or ignitions?
No. We open cars, make and program keys, replace remotes and get broken keys out of ignitions. Repairing or replacing the ignition or door lock itself is a job for a mechanic or auto electrician.
What does it mean if my car is deadlocked?
Many cars have a deadlock, also called double locking or superlocking. When it’s on, the inside door handles and lock buttons stop working, so the doors can’t be opened from inside the car. It’s there to stop a thief breaking a window and reaching in to open the door. Some cars deadlock when you press the lock button twice, others with a single press. It also means you should never deadlock a car with a person or a pet inside. For a locksmith, a deadlocked car takes longer to open because the usual ways in through the inside handle or lock button don’t work, so it takes longer and costs more than a standard car unlock. We still don’t damage your car.
Keypad and digital locks
What’s a good keypad lock for a rental, and who installs them in Perth?
We fit and program them. The brands we use, in the order we fit them most, are McGrath, Lion Head, Lockton, Carbine, Lockwood and Yale. For a rental, a PIN-code lock means no more keys to chase between tenants, and codes can be changed in minutes. See digital and smart locks.
Can I unlock my door from my phone when I’m not home?
Yes, with a WiFi model. Lion Head’s WiFi locks need a small gateway hub in the house for remote access through the app, and we set that up on the day. Locks without WiFi still work by code, tag or key, just not from another suburb.
What if the batteries die in a digital lock?
Every lock we fit has a backup way in, and we show you how it works before we leave. Most give you plenty of warning before the batteries run flat.
Can a digital lock go on my security screen door as well?
On some screen doors, yes. It depends on the door frame and the lock that’s there now. Send us a photo of the door and we’ll tell you what fits.
Businesses and landlords
Do you do commercial work?
Yes. Shops, offices, warehouses, strata and small businesses across Perth: rekeys, lock repairs and replacements, keypad locks and lockouts. See commercial locksmith.
A staff member has left with a key. What do I do?
Rekey the doors they had keys to. It’s quicker than replacing locks and you can do it the same day. A keypad lock is worth considering if staff come and go often, because a code is easier to change than a key.
Can you rekey a whole unit block or a bank of letterboxes?
Yes. We rekey unit entry doors, common doors and letterbox banks for strata and property managers. Letterbox banks are the one thing we master key, so the building manager can open the lot.
Do you do access control or master key systems?
No. We don’t do networked access control, and we don’t set up master key systems for doors. If you want one code or tag per person, a keypad lock does that without a master key system.
Price, timing and trust
How much does a locksmith cost?
Price guide (business hours, GST included, checked September 2026. A guide, not a quote.)
- House lockout: from $195
- Car unlock, keys locked inside: from $195, for cars that aren’t deadlocked. Deadlocked cars take longer to open, so they cost more.
- Rekeying: $195 for the first lock, then $55 for each extra lock, with 2 keys included. A typical 6-lock house comes to $470.
- Spare car key, Japanese and Korean cars: from $240. Push-button (proximity) keys from $295.
- All car keys lost, Japanese and Korean cars: from $350
- Keypad or digital lock, supplied and fitted: from $450
After-hours and weekend jobs cost more. Either way, we tell you the total before we start.
How long until you get here?
We won’t promise a number we can’t keep. We’ll tell you where we are and give you an honest arrival time when you call.
Are you a real 24-hour locksmith?
Yes. Nights, weekends and public holidays. If you ring in the middle of the night and don’t get us the first time, leave a message and try again in a minute, we’ll be on the phone or on a job. See our 24/7 emergency locksmith page.
Where are you based, and how far do you go?
We’re based in Duncraig, in Perth’s northern suburbs, and we cover all of Perth, north and south of the river.
How do I know a locksmith is legit and licensed in Western Australia?
In Western Australia, locksmiths are licensed by WA Police as security agents. Ask to see the licence card when they arrive. Ours is number 43591 and we carry it on every job. A genuine locksmith will also ask for your ID, give you the price before starting, and have a local number and real reviews with a real name behind them. Be wary of ads with no company name and a call centre that can’t tell you who’s coming.
Are you licensed?
Yes. WA Police security agent licence number 43591, with 25 years in the trade. Ask to see the card when we arrive.
Will my insurance cover a locksmith?
Sometimes, especially after a break-in or a theft. Check your policy or ring your insurer. We give you a proper invoice either way.
What don’t you do?
Master key systems, networked access control, safes, alarms, intercoms, CCTV, car door lock repairs, ignition repairs, and keys for European or Chinese cars. If it’s one of those, we’ll say so straight away so you’re not waiting on the wrong person. And if it’s something we don’t do, or we’re not available when you call, we’ll always try to point you to someone who can help.