Frequently Asked Questions

A live coordinator answers, asks about your situation, and connects you with the local Los Angeles team. They will want to know your location, the type of lock or key issue, whether you have any working keys, and what kind of property. From there, they quote a flat price and schedule your appointment. You will receive a text with your technician's name, photo, and estimated arrival window. This is Haven Standard Clause 3: a named tech, a real window, and notification when they are on the way.

Most residential jobs in Los Angeles take 20-45 minutes on site. A standard lockout on a Schlage or Kwikset deadbolt takes 10-20 minutes. Rekeying 4 locks takes 30-45 minutes. Installing a new deadbolt on a solid-core door runs 25-40 minutes. Commercial master key systems or access control surveys in Downtown Los Angeles take longer and are scheduled accordingly. We do not quote arrival times we cannot meet. If traffic on the 405 or surface streets in Venice delays us, you will get an updated text with a revised window.

Yes, in most cases. For residential locks, we can pick the cylinder, decode the pin depths, and cut a working key from that information. This works on standard pin-tumbler locks from Schlage, Kwikset, and similar brands. For high-security cylinders like Medeco or Abloy, decoding requires specialized tools and training. For vehicles, we can originate keys from the door lock or ignition using your VIN and programming equipment. The dispatcher will ask whether any key fragment remains in the lock, as that changes both the approach and the quoted price.

Rekeying is the right choice when your locks are in good condition and you simply need new keys. We recommend replacement when the hardware is worn, outdated, or does not meet current Los Angeles building code for egress. Many homes in Inglewood and Westchester still have original knob-and-keyway sets from the 1960s that fail to meet modern security standards. We will show you photos of what we found and explain whether rekeying or replacement serves you better. The written scope lists both options with separate prices so you decide before work begins.

Yes, we install and program smart locks from major brands including Schlage Encode, Kwikset Halo, and Yale Assure lines. For commercial properties in Downtown Los Angeles and commercial corridors along Wilshire, we also install hardwired access control with keycard readers, electric strikes, and audit-trail logging. These jobs require a site survey and written scope before installation. We do not recommend DIY smart lock installation on fire-rated doors or historic properties in neighborhoods like West Adams, where the original door prep may not accommodate modern hardware without modification.

For most Los Angeles homes, we recommend Schlage B60N deadbolts for solid security at a moderate price point, or Kwikset 980S if you prefer SmartKey rekeying capability. For homes in higher-target areas like Beverly Hills or Brentwood, or for anyone wanting pick resistance, we suggest Medeco Maxum deadbolts with restricted keyways. The coastal salt air in Venice and Santa Monica accelerates corrosion on cheaper zinc-alloy hardware, so we specify brass or stainless components for properties within two miles of the beach. We stock all these brands on our Los Angeles vans and will show you the exact hardware before installation.

Abloy Protec2 cylinders offer exceptional pick and drill resistance due to their rotating disc mechanism, which is fundamentally different from pin-tumbler designs. For Los Angeles properties with specific security concerns, commercial inventory, or insurance requirements for high-security hardware, Abloy is an excellent choice. The keyway is proprietary and keys cannot be duplicated without authorization. The tradeoff is cost: Abloy cylinders run 3-4 times the price of premium Schlage hardware and require specialized servicing. We install Abloy in commercial settings and select residential applications where the security gain justifies the investment.

We service and repair most residential and commercial lock brands found in Los Angeles, including legacy hardware on pre-war buildings in West Hollywood and mid-century installations in the San Fernando Valley. Some imported or discontinued brands may require parts ordering. If we encounter a lock we cannot service, we will tell you immediately, explain why, and quote replacement options. We do not charge a service fee for honest assessments, even when we recommend another specialist. Haven Standard Clause 5: no surprises, including the surprise of being told we cannot help after you've paid for a trip.

Every professional working under our name in Los Angeles is required to hold the locksmith license and insurance that California requires. You can verify any California locksmith license through the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services. We provide the technician's license number on your written scope before work begins, and they carry physical license documentation in their service vehicle. Daniel Novak, who leads our Los Angeles branch, ensures compliance through regular license and insurance verification. If you want to check credentials before scheduling, call (213) 632-4875 and we will provide the information directly.

Yes. Every job we perform in Los Angeles carries appropriate general liability and completed operations coverage. This protects your property against damage during service and covers our work after completion. We are happy to provide a certificate of insurance for commercial clients, property managers, and HOA boards in buildings from Downtown Los Angeles to Santa Monica. Your written scope includes confirmation of active coverage for the date of service. We do not subcontract to unverified individuals or send anyone without current documentation.

The Haven Standard is the documentation and pricing system that governs every Novak Lock & Security job. It consists of five clauses: Have it in writing - flat price, written scope, written warranty before work starts; Arrive on schedule - a real window, a named tech, a text when they are on the way; Verified crews - licensed, insured, background-checked, with license numbers on the page; Evidence on every job - photos and readings of what we actually found; No surprises - no door upsell, no scope creep, no "while we are in here." Since 2002, this standard has applied to over 60,000 locks, keys, and security systems.

We handle lockouts during all posted operating hours: Monday through Friday 7:00 AM - 8:00 PM, Saturday and Sunday 7:00 AM - 7:30 PM. Within these hours, we prioritize lockout calls and typically schedule same-day service. We do not offer after-hours or overnight emergency dispatch. If you are locked out outside our hours, we recommend securing temporary shelter and contacting us when we open. For scheduled security concerns, such as a lost key or break-in, we will prioritize your appointment for the earliest available slot and can often accommodate next-morning service in Los Angeles, Culver City, and surrounding areas.

Same-day appointments are typically available for calls placed during morning hours, with afternoon and evening slots filling by midday. Our Los Angeles-based technicians cover the full service area including Santa Monica, Venice, Brentwood, Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Inglewood, Studio City, Sherman Oaks, and Downtown Los Angeles. Traffic patterns on the 10, 405, and surface streets affect real arrival times, so we quote windows rather than exact minutes. You will receive a text when your technician is en route with an updated estimate. We do not promise response times we cannot reliably meet.

First, confirm that no other entry point is accessible, including back doors, windows you can secure after entry, or garage access. If you have a landlord or property manager with a master key, contact them. For vehicles, verify that no spare key is available at home or with a trusted contact. Once you have confirmed professional help is needed, call (213) 632-4875 during our operating hours. Have your location, lock type, and ID ready. We will quote a flat price and schedule the earliest available technician. Do not attempt to force entry yourself - damaged locks, doors, or windows typically cost far more to repair than professional entry service.

Every job carries a written warranty detailed on your scope before work begins. Hardware warranties vary by manufacturer: Schlage and Kwikset residential deadbolts carry lifetime mechanical warranties, Medeco offers specific coverage periods by product line, and Abloy warranties are documented at installation. Our labor warranty covers installation and rekeying work against defects in workmanship. If something fails due to our work, we return and correct it at no charge. The exact terms appear in writing before you authorize service, so there is no ambiguity about what is covered or for how long.

Call us at (213) 632-4875 and describe the issue. We document every job with photos and readings of what we found and what we did, so we can reference the specific work performed. If the problem relates to our installation or rekeying, we will schedule a return visit under warranty coverage. If the issue stems from unrelated hardware failure, environmental damage, or attempted tampering, we will explain what we found and quote any needed repair. Haven Standard Clause 4 requires evidence on every job, which means we can verify claims without dispute or guesswork.

Yes. Every customer receives a written scope and invoice at completion, and we maintain digital records of all work performed under your name and address. This is useful for warranty claims, insurance documentation, property sales, and HOA compliance in Los Angeles condo buildings. If you need a copy of a past service record, call us with the approximate date and address. For commercial clients with multiple properties, we can organize records by site and provide summary documentation for annual security audits. Your service history belongs to you, and we do not withhold documentation for any reason.

Written by Daniel Novak, Owner at Novak Lock & Security Los Angeles, serving Los Angeles since 2002.