The keys a local shop can copy, and why a precise cut matters.
A local locksmith copies far more than the basic house key. Our key duplication service covers home and office keys, car keys including chipped and fob types, and restricted keys where you are authorized to request a copy. The advantage over a self-service kiosk is a precise cut that is tested in the lock, so the spare turns smoothly instead of sticking.
For vehicles, copying is its own task. A chipped key needs both a cut and programming, and remotes fall under fob service or car key copying. For worn keys, cutting by code produces a key from the lock's original spec rather than copying the wear, handled through coded key copying.
Some keys carry a "do not duplicate" stamp or a restricted keyway, which means copies are made only with authorization. That is a security feature, and we respect it. We also handle building keys for managers and magnetic and specialty keys that ordinary cutters cannot reproduce.
Making a spare before you need it is the most affordable insurance against a lockout. We copy keys across Raleigh and the Triangle; contact us or see residential services.
Need a locksmith in Raleigh or the Triangle? We are ready to help.
If you only take one thing from this, take this: handling a lock problem on purpose, before it becomes a crisis, is almost always cheaper and calmer than handling it in a panic at the worst possible moment. A little planning, a spare key, a rekey after a move, goes a long way.