Frank Locksmith Service Team
Local locksmith team
Apr 8, 2026 10 min read
Congratulations on your move to Staten Island — whether you just closed on a cape in Tottenville, signed a lease in St. George, or inherited a two-family in New Dorp, you now share a front door history with everyone who lived there before you. That history is the problem. Previous tenants, old landlords, contractors, dog-walkers, and ex-partners may still have working copies of your key. Before you unpack the first box, the single most important security decision you will make is this: should you rekey the existing locks, or replace them entirely?
This guide from Frank Locksmith — your 24/7 mobile locksmith serving all of Staten Island — walks you through exactly how to make that call. We cover the real differences between rekeying and replacing, when each option makes sense, what to expect from the process, and how mortise lock hardware (the heavy-duty mechanism found in many of Staten Island's older brownstones and pre-war attached homes) fits into the picture. By the end, you will know precisely what to ask for and why.
## Rekey vs. Replace: What Actually Happens Inside Your Lock
Rekeying is a precision service, not a shortcut. A trained locksmith disassembles the lock cylinder, swaps out the internal pin stacks, and reassembles everything so the old key no longer works — period. No new hardware is needed because the lock body, strike plate, and door prep stay exactly as they are. Your new key operates the same deadbolt or knob, just with a completely different cut. It is a fast, clean solution when the existing hardware is in good mechanical condition and installed correctly.
Replacing a lock means removing the entire assembly — cylinder, body, trim, sometimes the strike plate and door reinforcement — and installing new hardware. This is the right path when the current lock is worn, damaged, the wrong grade for the application, or simply not the level of security you want going forward. For example, many rental units on Staten Island are still fitted with basic builder-grade door knob locks that offer minimal resistance. Upgrading to a Grade 1 deadbolt, a Schlage B-series, or a heavy mortise lock assembly changes the security profile of the door entirely, not just the key.
## The Mortise Lock Advantage — and Why Staten Island Homes Often Have Them
If you moved into one of the Island's older attached homes — think the rows of Victorian-era and early twentieth-century construction you find along Victory Boulevard or in the St. George Historic District — there is a good chance your front door already has a mortise lock. Unlike a cylindrical deadbolt that mounts on the surface of the door edge, a mortise lock is set into a deep rectangular pocket (the mortise) carved into the door itself. The mechanism is larger, more complex, and significantly more robust. It typically combines a latchbolt, a deadbolt, and sometimes a privacy button all in one integrated case.
Mortise lock service is one of our core specialties at Frank Locksmith. These locks require a locksmith who understands their internal geometry — the cam, tailpiece, and cylinder interface differ from brand to brand, and an incorrect cylinder replacement can leave the lock non-functional or partially insecure. When you call us after moving in, we inspect the mortise case for wear, verify the cylinder is properly fitted, and rekey or replace the cylinder without disturbing the surrounding woodwork. If the case itself is tired — stiff latch, sloppy deadbolt throw — we discuss a full mortise lock replacement with you before any work begins, and we give you an exact confirmed price up front.
## How to Decide: A Practical Checklist for New Staten Island Residents
Run through these questions before you call us. First: do you know for certain how many key copies exist and who has them? If you are buying from a private seller and they hand you two keys at closing, you have no way of knowing whether three more copies are floating around Bay Street. Rekey immediately. Second: is the hardware in good shape? Test the deadbolt — it should throw fully and retract cleanly with no grinding. Check the door knob lock or lever for wobble. If anything feels loose, sticky, or unresponsive, replacement is likely smarter than rekeying because the underlying mechanism is already failing. Third: what grade of lock is currently installed? Flip the lock over or look up the model number. Builder-grade locks (often found in newer rental construction) are designed for convenience, not security. If you are a homeowner planning to stay long-term, this is a natural moment to upgrade.
Fourth: are you renting or buying? Renters should confirm with their landlord in writing before any hardware change — most leases require it, and your landlord is legally obligated to provide you with working keys to your unit. In New York State, tenants have the right to request that locks be changed between occupancies. If your landlord has not arranged that before your move-in, contact them first, then call us. We work with both landlords and tenants across Staten Island regularly and can coordinate the job efficiently. Fifth: do you have a car? Vehicle rekeying and new key programming are separate from your home locks but equally important if you moved here and are unsure whether a spare key to your car was left with a previous owner or valet service. We handle residential, automotive, and commercial locksmith work — one call covers everything.
One more note for anyone who has been searching online for help after moving: if you have tried to pull up a directory listing or a review platform and gotten an access-blocked page — something like 'You are unable to access this site' or 'Why have I been blocked?' — it is usually a security filter on a public network, a VPN conflict, or a CAPTCHA challenge from the platform itself. It has nothing to do with the locksmith you are trying to research. The simplest resolution is to call us directly at (347) 284-0806. You do not need a listing site, a related-listings widget, or a password reset to reach a real person on our team. We answer 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
## What to Expect When Our Locksmith Arrives — Proof of Ownership and the Service Process
A common question we hear — especially from first-time homeowners — is: what proof do you need for a locksmith? It is a fair and important question, and the honest answer is that any professional locksmith should verify that you have the right to access the property before performing any work. For a home service call, that typically means a photo ID matching the address, a lease agreement, a deed, a utility bill, or a combination of these. For a car lockout, it means your vehicle registration and ID. We verify ownership on every job — not to be difficult, but because it protects you as much as it protects the community.
Once verification is complete, our process is straightforward. We assess the existing hardware, explain our findings in plain language, and confirm an exact price before touching anything. The factors that shape your final quote include the type of lock (a standard deadbolt rekey is a different scope than a full mortise lock cylinder replacement), the number of doors being serviced, whether parts need to be sourced, and the time of day. Emergency locksmith calls — a lockout at 2 a.m. on the Hylan Boulevard stretch of Staten Island, for instance — are weighted differently than a scheduled next-morning appointment. You will never get a surprise number on our invoice. Call (347) 284-0806 any time to get a straight answer about what your specific situation involves.
## Our Full Range of Services for Staten Island Homes, Vehicles, and Businesses
Frank Locksmith is a fully mobile operation, which means we come to you anywhere on the Island — from the ferry terminal area in St. George to the South Shore communities of Annadale and Huguenot. Here is a detailed look at what we handle: residential deadbolt rekeying, residential deadbolt replacement, mortise lock rekeying, mortise lock replacement and installation, door knob lock rekeying, door knob lock replacement, lever handle lock service, smart lock installation and programming, keypad lock installation, high-security cylinder upgrades, master key system design and setup, gate lock installation and repair, padlock keying, garage side-door lock service, mailbox lock replacement, car lockout response, car key cutting, transponder key programming, laser-cut key duplication, ignition cylinder repair and replacement, push-to-start fob programming, motorcycle lock service, commercial door lock installation, commercial mortise lock service, office master key systems, cabinet lock installation, file cabinet lock replacement, storefront lock service, emergency lockout response for homes and businesses, and lock repair after attempted break-ins. Whether you are a homeowner settling into a new neighborhood, a property manager overseeing multiple units, or a small business owner on Forest Avenue who needs a commercial locksmith to upgrade your storefront hardware, our team is equipped for the job.
Frequently asked questions
What are common reasons to call a locksmith after moving to a new home?+
The most common reason is security reassignment — rekeying or replacing locks so previous occupants cannot use their old keys. Beyond that, people call us to upgrade worn builder-grade door knob locks to higher-security hardware, install a mortise lock on a solid wood door, program a new transponder key for a car that came with only one, set up a master key system across multiple doors, or respond to an emergency lockout when the movers accidentally locked a key inside. Moving day logistics are chaotic, and lockouts happen more often than people expect.
What is a locksmith call-out fee, and what factors determine the total cost of a job?+
A call-out fee — sometimes called a service fee or trip charge — covers the cost of a locksmith traveling to your location and arriving ready to work. The total price for your job is then shaped by several additional factors: the type and grade of hardware involved (a mortise lock replacement requires more time and parts than a simple rekey), the number of locks being serviced, whether specialty parts need to be sourced, and the time of day, since emergency overnight calls carry different pricing than scheduled daytime appointments. At Frank Locksmith, we confirm a single, exact up-front price after assessing your situation — before any work begins — so there are no surprises on the invoice.
Do I need to show proof of ownership before a locksmith will help me?+
Yes, and you should be cautious of any locksmith who skips this step. A responsible locksmith will ask to see a photo ID that matches the address, along with supporting documentation such as a lease, deed, utility bill, or vehicle registration. This verification process protects you as a resident and protects the broader community. If you have just moved in and your ID still shows your previous address, bring your closing documents or lease agreement — either works. We handle verification quickly and without unnecessary friction on every call.
I just moved in and I am not sure what kind of lock is on my front door. How do I find out if I have a mortise lock?+
Look at the edge of your door where the latch and bolt come through. A mortise lock has a tall, narrow faceplate — typically several inches high — that sits flush with the door edge, and the mechanism behind it is set deeply into the door itself rather than mounted on the surface. Cylindrical deadbolts, by contrast, have a small round faceplate and a much shallower profile. If your door is in an older Staten Island home, especially a pre-war attached or detached single-family, there is a strong chance it already has a mortise lock. Send us a photo when you call (347) 284-0806 and we can confirm the hardware type before we even arrive.
