The keypad went dark and you are on the wrong side of the door
Dead batteries, a code nobody remembers, an app that stopped talking to the lock after a phone change. We start with entry that does not damage the door, then get the lock working again, reprogram it, or replace it if it has reached the end.
LOCKSMITH LIC. LCO 8138CA BSIS · tap to verify- Entry without damage first
- Codes reset and set up with you
- Keypad installs on existing doors
- Price before any tool touches the lock
Where smart locks leave people stuck
The batteries died and the keypad will not wake
Most locks warn for a while, but the warning is a beep nobody notices. We open the door, change the batteries and check that the motor is not fighting a misaligned strike.
A lost or forgotten code
The master code is gone or the account belongs to someone who moved out. Once we are inside, we reset the lock and set up fresh codes with you standing there.
The app will not pair
A new phone, a new router, a lock still tied to the last owner. We clear the old setup, pair it to your account and test it from outside the door.
Guest and short-term rental codes
One code per guest that you delete at checkout, a separate code for the cleaner, an owner code nobody else knows. We set it up and show you how to change it yourself.
A smart lock in an HOA or apartment building
Unit doors often come with rules about what can go on the outside. Check with the board or the manager first. We work within what they allow and use the existing holes in the door where we can.
A keypad on the door you already have
Most keypad deadbolts fit a standard door prep. We check the bore, the backset and how the door latches before the lock goes on, because a sticking bolt drains batteries fast.
What happens when we get there
- Get you inEntry that does not damage the door comes first. Drilling only after you hear why and say yes.
- Find out why it failedBatteries, a keypad that quit, a bolt rubbing on the strike, or a lock that lost its settings.
- Fix, reset or replaceYou hear the price for each option before any work.
- Set it up with youCodes, the app, and when to change the batteries so it does not happen again.
When a good deadbolt is the better choice
A smart lock is a convenience. It does not make a door stronger, and on some doors it causes more trouble than it solves.
- The door sticks or has to be pushed to latch. A motorized bolt that fights the frame wears out and eats batteries. Fix the door first.
- The frame is the weak point. A kicked door usually gives at the strike, not at the lock. A solid deadbolt with a reinforced strike and long screws into the framing does more for security.
- Nobody in the house wants an app. If the person who uses the door most will not manage codes, a well made keyed deadbolt is less stress.
- You rent. Hardware changes usually need the owner's okay. Ask first, then call us.
Whatever you choose, keep a key
Keep a working key for that door somewhere you can reach it from outside: a lockbox, a neighbor, a family member. Many keypad locks have a key cylinder for exactly this reason, and it is what saves you when the batteries die.
Straight talk about price
On the phone you tell us what happened, and we give you a ballpark based on that. When the technician arrives, the first thing he does is look at the lock and make sure it matches what you described. A door that sounded simple can turn out to be a different story, and sometimes it is the other way around.
Then you hear the final number, before a single tool touches the lock. You decide, and only then we start. No surprises on the bill, and the receipt carries our license number, LCO 8138.
Three things worth checking
- Look for a key cylinder. On some models it hides behind a cover on the outside.
- Look for two small contacts under the keypad. Some locks wake up when a 9-volt battery is held against them.
- Ask whoever else lives there whether they can open it from their phone.
If none of that works, call us and tell us what the keypad does when you touch it.
Smart lock questions we hear
My smart lock died and there is no key. Will you have to drill?
Usually not. Most keypad deadbolts can be opened without damage. If one cannot, you hear why and the price before we drill, and nothing happens without your yes.
Can you reset a lock the previous owner set up?
Yes, once we can reach the inside of the door. A factory reset clears the old codes and the old account, then we pair the lock to yours and set new codes.
Which smart lock should I buy?
We do not push a brand. Tell us how the door is used, who needs to get in and if you want an app at all, and we tell you what kind of lock fits: keypad only, app based, or a plain deadbolt.
Can you set up codes for short-term rental guests?
Yes. We set separate codes for guests, cleaners and the owner, show you how to add and delete them, and make sure a key backup is in place in case the batteries die between bookings.
How long should the batteries last?
It depends on the lock and how often the door is used. The thing that drains them fastest is a bolt rubbing on the strike. If you change batteries more often than the manual says, have the door alignment checked.
Other work we do
Lockouts · Car keys · Rekey and lock change · Commercial · Access control · Safes, mailboxes and storage
We work across the East Bay, the Tri-Valley and Marin, from our base in Concord.