Hear from Our Customers
You’re not looking for the cheapest key in town. You’re looking for one that actually works when you need it.
Most standard house keys are cut and ready in under five minutes. You’re not scheduling appointments or waiting days for shipping. You walk in with your original, and you walk out with duplicate keys that fit your locks the first time.
The difference between a $3 spare key now and a $150 emergency lockout later is just planning ahead. Whether you need duplicate keys for your teenager, your parents, or just peace of mind in your junk drawer, getting it done before you’re locked out saves you time, money, and a whole lot of stress.
We’ve been cutting keys since the late 1800s. That’s not marketing talk—it’s actual family history spanning five generations of locksmiths.
Tom McCausland and his daughter Chrissy run the shop now, continuing what Tom’s father, grandfather, and great-grandfather built. Our storefront is in Prospect Park, just minutes from Chester Heights. Licensed, bonded, and stocked with key blanks most hardware stores don’t carry.
This is the kind of place where you’re not a ticket number. You’re a neighbor who needs a key, and we know how to make one that works.
Bring your original key to the shop. If it’s a standard residential key, the process is straightforward and fast.
We select the right blank from our inventory—not just any blank, but one that matches your lock type. Your original key goes into the duplicator alongside the blank. The machine traces the cuts from your key onto the new one, creating an exact match.
After cutting, the key gets smoothed and tested. You leave with a duplicate that fits your lock the same way the original does. For most house keys, you’re in and out in minutes.
If you’ve lost your original or it’s too worn down, we can still help. We’ll take an impression of your lock or use a code cutter to create a new key. That takes longer, but it’s doable when you need it.
Ready to get started?
Standard residential key duplication covers most house keys, deadbolts, and basic locks. If you’ve got a Schlage, Kwikset, or other common brand, we’ve got the blank ready.
Hard-to-find keys are where experience matters. Older homes in Chester Heights sometimes have locks that big-box stores don’t stock blanks for. With decades of inventory and know-how, we can usually track down what you need or find a compatible alternative.
High-security keys—the ones marked “Do Not Duplicate”—require authorization and sometimes a registration card. The process takes a bit longer because there are security protocols involved, but it’s still faster than waiting for a manufacturer to ship a replacement.
Pricing is straightforward. Basic residential keys typically run $2 to $5 per copy. No hidden fees, no upselling you on locksmith services you don’t need. You’re paying for the key and the expertise to cut it correctly.
Delaware County homeowners deal with everything from century-old row homes to newer suburban builds. Lock types vary, key styles change, and not every key cutter has the range to handle them all. That’s where a real locksmith shop makes the difference.
For a standard house key, you’re looking at less than five minutes from start to finish. Walk in, hand over your key, and we select the right blank and run it through the key duplicator.
The actual cutting takes about a minute or two. After that, we’ll smooth any rough edges and make sure it’s clean. We’ll test it on a sample lock to confirm it works before handing it over.
If you need multiple copies made, it doesn’t take much longer. Each additional key is just another quick run through the machine. You’re not scheduling an appointment or coming back later—it’s done while you wait.
More complex keys take longer. High-security keys or specialty locks might need 10 to 25 minutes, especially if there’s programming or authorization involved. But for the basic house key most people need copied, it’s one of the fastest services we offer.
Yes, but it’s more complicated and takes longer than duplicating from an original. We can create a new key using the lock itself.
One method is called impressioning. We insert a blank key into your lock, apply pressure, and look for marks left by the pins inside. We file the blank based on those marks, test it, and repeat until the key works. This usually takes 10 to 15 minutes with our experience.
Another option is disassembling the lock to measure the pin depths directly. That gives exact measurements for cutting a new key. It’s more involved and takes longer, but it’s accurate.
If you’ve completely lost all your keys, we can also use a code cutter if we can access your lock’s key code. Some manufacturers keep records, or the code might be stamped on the lock itself. Not all locks have accessible codes, but when they do, it speeds things up.
Bottom line: bring the original if you have it. If you don’t, we can still help—you’ll just wait a bit longer and possibly pay more for the extra work involved.
A basic residential key typically costs $2 to $5 to duplicate at our shop. That’s for standard house keys—Schlage, Kwikset, and other common brands.
Decorative keys with custom designs or colors run a bit more, usually $4 to $12. High-security keys that require authorization can cost $10 to $20 because of the extra security protocols and specialized blanks involved.
If you don’t have the original key and need us to create one from your lock, expect to pay more. The service call fee alone can be $50 to $150, plus the cost of the key itself. That’s why it makes sense to get duplicates made before you lose the original.
Emergency locksmith services—when you’re locked out and need help right away—cost significantly more. After-hours or weekend calls can run $150 to $250 or higher. Getting a $3 spare key made ahead of time is a lot cheaper than a $200 emergency call at midnight.
For Chester Heights residents, our pricing is generally competitive with hardware stores for basic keys, but you get better service, more key blank options, and the peace of mind that comes from working with a licensed professional.
Most standard house keys can be duplicated without any issues. That includes keys for deadbolts, doorknobs, padlocks, and mailbox locks. If it’s a basic metal key with cuts along the edge, we can copy it.
High-security keys are a different story. These often have “Do Not Duplicate” stamped on them and require proof of ownership or authorization from the lock manufacturer. You’ll need to show ID and possibly a registration card that came with the lock. We can duplicate these, but there are extra steps to protect your security.
Restricted keys are controlled by the manufacturer, meaning only authorized dealers can make copies. If you have one of these, you’ll need to go through the proper channels. A general key cutter won’t be able to help.
Older or unusual keys—like skeleton keys for antique homes or specialty keys for vintage locks—can usually be duplicated with our experience, but not every shop has the blanks or expertise. That’s where a locksmith with decades of inventory and knowledge makes the difference.
Car keys with transponder chips or electronic fobs are a separate category. Basic car keys without chips can be duplicated like house keys, but anything with electronics requires programming and specialized equipment. That’s a different service with different pricing.
For basic, common house keys, both options work. Hardware stores and self-service kiosks are convenient and inexpensive for standard keys. If you’ve got a typical Schlage or Kwikset key and the store has the blank in stock, you’ll get a decent copy for a few dollars.
Where we have the edge is selection and expertise. We carry a much wider range of key blanks, including older or less common types that hardware stores don’t stock. If you live in an older home in Chester Heights with locks that aren’t standard, we’re more likely to have what you need.
Accuracy also matters. We have the experience to spot a worn key and adjust the cut so the duplicate actually works. Self-service kiosks just copy what’s there, which can be a problem if your original key is already worn down.
Security is another consideration. Key kiosks have made it easier to duplicate electronic key fobs and proximity cards, which some security experts see as a risk. As a licensed locksmith, we follow protocols and keep records, which adds a layer of accountability.
If you need anything beyond a basic key—high-security keys, restricted keys, or keys made without an original—you’re going to need a professional locksmith. Hardware stores and kiosks can’t handle those.
For most people, it comes down to what you’re duplicating. Simple key, common brand, original in good shape? Hardware store is fine. Anything more complicated, or if you want it done right the first time with no guesswork? Come to us.
At minimum, you should have one spare key stored somewhere safe outside your home—with a trusted neighbor, family member, or in a secure location. That’s your backup if you get locked out.
Beyond that, it depends on your household. If you have multiple family members coming and going at different times, each person should have their own key. Teenagers, adult children, or aging parents living with you all need access without relying on one shared key.
Rental properties are a different situation. Landlords typically need a spare for emergencies like water leaks or maintenance issues. Tenants should have enough keys for each household member, and it’s smart to keep one extra in case someone loses theirs.
If you have service providers—housekeepers, dog walkers, landscapers—who need occasional access, a spare key beats giving out your personal key or hiding one under the doormat. You can always rekey your locks later if the arrangement changes.
Older homes in areas like Chester Heights sometimes have multiple entry points with different locks. If your front door, back door, and garage all use different keys, you’ll want spares for each. Or consider rekeying them to work with the same key, which simplifies things.
There’s no magic number, but most homeowners are better off with too many spares than too few. A $3 key now saves you from a $150 lockout later. Get them made before you need them, and store them somewhere you’ll actually remember.
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