Non-destructive entry first, always - and we re-key Schlage, Kwikset, and Baldwin locks on the spot while you watch
You get a price before we start. It does not change when we arrive. No surprises.
Trusted Lock Installation & Rekey for San Jose Homeowners
San Jose Lock Installation & Rekey service typically runs $29-$65 per cylinder for rekeying and $145-$380 for new lock installation, with most residential jobs completed in under 90 minutes. Novak Lock & Security has installed or serviced more than 60,000 locks, keys, and security systems since 2002, and every job starts with a written price that the technician is contractually prohibited from changing at your door. If you need same-day service in San Jose, call (669) 201-7095 and a live person will answer, quote a firm price, and dispatch a background-checked, uniformed technician.
Most San Jose homeowners who call us bought their home between 2015 and 2025 and are dealing with one of three situations: they want all locks keyed alike after closing, they’re upgrading from builder-grade hardware to something that actually stops a determined break-in, or they’re installing smart locks on a 1970s Eichler or a new build in Communications Hill and finding the retrofit isn’t as straightforward as the box promised. We’ve rekeyed entire cul-de-sacs in Almaden Valley after a neighbor’s key went missing, and we’ve installed Mul-T-Lock deadbolts in downtown San Jose condos where the HOA requires specific finishes. The work varies. The process doesn’t.
Haven Standard Clause 1 applies to every call: the price on the phone is the price on the invoice. No exceptions since 2002.
What Our Lock Installation & Rekey Service Includes
Smart Lock Installation
Smart locks connect to your phone, your Wi-Fi, or your home automation system and let you grant access remotely, track who enters, and eliminate the spare key under the mat. In San Jose, we install smart locks most often on homes in Willow Glen and Japantown where owners want keyless entry for Airbnb guests or contractors, and on new construction in Berryessa where the builder installed a basic deadbolt that won’t integrate with Ring or Nest. We stock retrofit kits for standard 2-1/8 inch bore holes and adapter plates for older doors with non-standard backsets, because a smart lock that doesn’t fit cleanly is a smart lock that eventually fails.
When you call, we ask which ecosystem you’re running (Alexa, Google Home, Apple HomeKit, or standalone) and whether you need a bridge or hub. That determines whether we bring a Schlage Encode, a Yale Assure, or a specific Z-Wave module. The price range for smart lock installation in San Jose is $195-$425 including the lock, labor, and configuration of up to four user codes. We test every function before we leave, and we document the installation with a photo record left with you on completion.
Keyless Entry
Keyless entry systems for residential use include push-button mechanical locks, electronic deadbolts with touchpads, and proximity card readers scaled down from commercial applications. We install keyless entry most frequently for San Jose families with children who lose keys, for rental properties in Campbell and Santa Clara where turnover is high, and for homeowners in Los Gatos who want to stop hiding keys and start issuing codes. Mechanical keyless locks like the Simplex series require no batteries and work in garages and side gates where power isn’t available; electronic versions add audit trails and time-restricted codes.
Our keyless entry installations start at $165 for a mechanical push-button unit and run to $340 for a hardwired electronic system with remote management capability. We assess your door thickness, the existing bore hole spacing, and whether the frame needs reinforcement - a standard procedure under The Haven Standard that prevents the flex and sag that kills keyless locks within two years.
Keypad Lock
Keypad locks are electronic deadbolts or levers with a numeric touchpad, typically battery-powered and programmable for multiple user codes. In San Jose, we see the most keypad lock installations in the Rose Garden district and along Meridian Avenue, where 1940s and 1950s homes have solid wood doors that deserve better hardware than the original skeleton-key mortise locks. The retrofit requires a clean bore, a reinforced strike plate, and often a door jamb repair because old growth redwood splinters differently than modern fir.
We carry Schlage and Baldwin keypad models with ANSI Grade 1 or Grade 2 ratings, and we program up to 30 user codes during installation. Typical keypad lock installation in San Jose costs $175-$295. If your door needs jamb reinforcement or a new strike box, we quote that before we start, not after we’ve drilled.
Biometric Lock
Biometric locks use fingerprint recognition to grant access, with most residential units storing 50-100 fingerprints and falling back to a keypad or mechanical key if the scanner fails. We install biometric locks in San Jose for home offices, wine rooms, and gun safes, and increasingly for front doors in the Silver Creek and Evergreen areas where owners want the convenience of keyless entry without the risk of a shared code. The technology has improved: current-generation scanners read partial prints and work for most adults, though we advise against relying solely on biometrics for households with very young children or members with certain dermatological conditions.
Biometric lock installation ranges from $245-$485 in San Jose, depending on whether you need a standalone unit or integration with a broader access control system. We calibrate the scanner to your specific environment - direct sunlight on a south-facing door in Alum Rock can affect read reliability, and we account for that in placement and model selection.
Electronic Lock
Electronic locks encompass hardwired systems, battery-powered standalone units, and networked access control points that connect to a central panel. For San Jose residential customers, “electronic lock” usually means a battery-powered deadbolt with motorized bolt throw, or a lever set with credential reader for a home office or ADU. We install electronic locks in downtown San Jose lofts where the HOA requires a specific aesthetic, in Saratoga estates where the owner wants a single fob for the main house, pool house, and gate, and in Milpitas townhomes where the builder’s electronic lock failed within 18 months.
Electronic lock installation costs $185-$420 in San Jose. We test voltage drop on hardwired runs, verify battery backup function, and confirm that the lock’s cycle rating - typically 500,000 operations for Grade 1 hardware - matches your expected usage. Every electronic lock we install includes a documented photo record and a written warranty under our 365-Day Done Right Promise.
Key Duplication
Key duplication at Novak Lock & Security means cutting on a code machine to factory specifications, not tracing a worn key that reproduces every irregularity. We duplicate standard Kwikset and Schlage keys, high-security Mul-T-Lock and Abloy keys (by authorization only, with cardholder verification), and restricted Sargent keys for commercial systems. In San Jose, homeowners in Almaden Valley and Willow Glen bring us keys that big-box stores couldn’t cut accurately - the difference is that we measure the original against the manufacturer’s depth and spacing specifications, then cut to code on a machine calibrated weekly.
Standard key duplication runs $4-$12 per key. High-security and restricted keys require cardholder authorization and cost $18-$45 depending on the keyway. We keep no blanks for unauthorized duplication of restricted systems; if you don’t have the card, we don’t cut the key. That’s not policy, it’s the manufacturer’s requirement, and we enforce it without exception.
What happens when you call
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A real person answersNo phone trees - you reach a local pro.
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You get an upfront price rangeHonest numbers before anyone is dispatched.
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A background-checked tech heads outLicensed & insured, dispatched right away.
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You approve before work beginsNothing starts until you say go.
Brands We Service for Lock Installation & Rekey
We are factory-authorized for Mul-T-Lock, Sargent, Abloy, and Schlage, and we stock OEM parts and factory-specified tools for each. On Mul-T-Lock, we’ve serviced hundreds of Interactive+ and MT5+ cylinders in San Jose commercial buildings and high-end residential installations; we carry the proprietary pinning kits and key machines required for these systems, and we verify authorization before cutting any restricted key. Sargent’s 10-line and 6500-series hardware appears throughout San Jose’s commercial corridors on First Street and in the Santana Row mixed-use developments; we maintain the master key systems for several properties and can generate change keys or rekey cylinders without disrupting the master hierarchy.
Abloy’s Protec2 and Sento systems are less common in San Jose but critical where they appear - we’ve installed Abloy deadbolts in Saratoga estates and on gates in Los Gatos where the owner specifically required pick-proof, bump-proof hardware. Schlage covers the broadest range: from the residential Accent and Camelot lines we install daily in San Jose tract homes to the Primus XP high-security cylinders we specify for law offices and medical practices. Whether you have these brands or any other make, we can help. We also service Baldwin, Emtek, Yale, Corbin Russwin, and most import hardware, and we tell you upfront if a lock is too damaged or obsolete to justify repair.
Signs You Need Lock Installation & Rekey Right Now
- You just bought or moved into a home in San Jose. You don’t know how many copies of your key exist - the seller’s agent, the inspector, the neighbor who watered plants, the contractor who fixed the leak in 2019. Rekeying every cylinder to a single new key is the fastest, most cost-effective security upgrade you can make, and it costs a fraction of replacing hardware.
- Your key sticks, catches, or requires jiggling. This usually indicates worn pins inside the cylinder, a key that has been recut poorly, or buildup of dust and metal particles from years of use. In San Jose’s dry climate, dust intrusion is more common than corrosion, but the result is the same: a lock that fails when you need it most, or a key that breaks off and requires extraction.
- You’ve had a break-in or attempted break-in. Even if the lock still operates, the attack may have damaged internal components, loosened the mounting, or compromised the strike plate. We inspect for pry marks, bolt misalignment, and frame damage that isn’t visible from inside. In San Jose’s older neighborhoods like Naglee Park and Hensley, original door frames are soft wood that splits under stress and needs reinforcement, not just a new lock.
- Your locks are different brands or grades on the same door. A Grade 3 Kwikset knob paired with a Grade 2 Schlage deadbolt creates a mismatch: the weak point is the knob, and an attacker will bypass the deadbolt entirely. We assess the security grade of every lock on your door and recommend matched hardware that meets a single standard, typically ANSI/BHMA Grade 2 for residential or Grade 1 for commercial.
- You want to eliminate keys entirely or manage access remotely. Physical keys cannot be revoked. If a housekeeper, dog walker, or former partner has a key, your only options are rekeying or replacement. Smart locks and keypad systems let you delete codes instantly, issue temporary access, and receive notifications - capabilities that matter for San Jose rental properties, multi-generational households, and home offices with client traffic.
Our Lock Installation & Rekey Process - Step by Step
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Call and receive a written price before we dispatch. When you call (669) 201-7095, a live person answers. You describe the lock, the door, and what you need. We quote a firm price based on our San Jose rate schedule, and we email or text you a written confirmation. Haven Standard Clause 1: the price on the phone is the price on the invoice. The technician cannot change it at your door.
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Background-checked, uniformed technician arrives with documented tools and parts. Our technician arrives in a marked van, in uniform, with a photo ID. They carry the specific lock or cylinder you were quoted, plus common alternatives in case your door requires a different backset, faceplate, or handing. They photograph the existing condition before touching anything.
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Diagnostic assessment and customer confirmation. The technician verifies the quote against actual conditions - door thickness, bore hole diameter, frame condition, and any discrepancies from the phone description. If something differs (for example, a steel door sleeve that requires carbide bits), they explain the adjustment and confirm your approval before proceeding. No surprises.
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Installation or rekey with manufacturer-specified techniques. For installation, we drill or modify only what’s necessary, using door jamb protectors and vacuum attachments to control debris. For rekeying, we disassemble the cylinder on a pinning mat, replace pins with factory-specified sizes, and test with the new key for smooth operation across all positions. We lubricate with graphite or Teflon-based products, never oil, which gums up in San Jose’s dust.
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Function testing, documentation, and photo record delivery. We cycle every lock 20 times, test the key at multiple angles, verify strike alignment with the door both open and closed, and confirm that deadbolts throw fully without binding. We photograph the completed work and leave you a documented photo record, the written warranty, and the final invoice matching your quoted price. The 365-Day Done Right Promise covers everything we installed or rekeyed.
How Much Does Lock Installation & Rekey Cost in San Jose?
A typical lock rekey in San Jose runs $29-$65 per cylinder, with most single-family homes requiring 2-4 cylinders for full coverage. See our Lock Installation & Rekey cost guide for detailed pricing breakdowns. New lock installation ranges from $145-$380 per door depending on the hardware grade, door condition, and whether the frame needs reinforcement. Smart lock installation typically falls between $195-$425, and high-security cylinder upgrades with Mul-T-Lock or Abloy hardware run $285-$580 installed.
| Service | Typical Range in San Jose | What’s Included |
|---|---|---|
| Standard rekey (per cylinder) | $29-$65 | Disassembly, pin replacement, new keys, function test |
| New deadbolt installation (Grade 2) | $145-$225 | Lock, labor, strike reinforcement, cleanup |
| New handleset installation (Grade 2) | $195-$295 | Lock, labor, latch adjustment, alignment |
| Smart lock installation | $195-$425 | Lock, labor, app setup, up to 4 user codes |
| High-security cylinder upgrade | $285-$580 | Mul-T-Lock, Abloy, or equivalent, labor, card registration |
| Key duplication (standard) | $4-$12 | Code-cut to factory spec, verified fit |
| Key duplication (high-security) | $18-$45 | Cardholder verification, authorization check, code cut |
What affects the price: door material (hollow-core vs. solid wood vs. metal), existing bore hole standardization, frame condition, and whether the lock grade you want requires structural reinforcement. How to avoid overpaying: get the full price in writing before anyone dispatches, confirm that the quote includes all labor and parts with no “trip charge” or “service fee” added later, and verify that the technician carries the specific hardware you discussed rather than a generic substitute. Our free estimate includes all of this. We will also review any competitor’s written estimate at no charge - our Free Second Opinion policy.
Everything in the table above is quoted in writing before we start and is the price on the invoice. No call-out surcharge. No bait-and-switch.
Lock Installation & Rekey Near San Jose - Our Service Area
We serve San Jose and the surrounding communities with typical response times of 25-45 minutes for standard appointments and 15-30 minutes for emergency lockouts in the core metro area. Our regular service territory includes Lock Installation & Rekey in Alum Rock, Lock Installation & Rekey in East Foothills, Campbell, Los Gatos, Santa Clara, Milpitas, Saratoga, Cupertino, Sunnyvale, Fremont, and Mountain View. In Alum Rock and East Foothills, we frequently encounter older single-cylinder deadbolts on original 1960s doors that require careful retrofitting to accept modern hardware without splitting the jamb. In Saratoga and Los Gatos, we install more high-security and decorative hardware on custom entry doors. The work adapts to the neighborhood. The price is always quoted upfront, and the documentation is always left behind.
Serving San Jose, CA - Our Local Coverage Area
We’re based in the San Jose area and know this community well. Use the map below to see our service coverage - if you’re nearby, we can almost certainly help.
Frequently Asked Questions - Lock Installation & Rekey in San Jose
Lock installation is the fitting of new lock hardware to a door, gate, or cabinet; rekeying is the changing of a lock’s internal pin configuration so that old keys no longer operate it and new keys do. Rekeying is faster and less expensive than replacement when the existing hardware is sound. At Novak Lock & Security, we rekey most residential cylinders in 20-30 minutes and install most new deadbolts in 45-60 minutes, with a written price confirmed before we start.
A standard rekey of 2-4 cylinders takes 45-90 minutes on site; a single new lock installation takes 45-75 minutes depending on door condition. Smart lock installations or multi-point lock systems on French doors can run 90-150 minutes. We quote time estimates along with price when you call, and we don’t charge by the hour - the quoted price is fixed regardless of duration. Call (669) 201-7095 for a specific estimate based on your door count and hardware.
Most San Jose homeowners pay $85-$260 for a full rekey of 2-4 cylinders, or $145-$380 per door for new lock installation. The exact price depends on cylinder count, hardware grade, and any door or frame modifications needed. We quote every price in writing before dispatch, and Haven Standard Clause 1 prohibits our technicians from changing that price at your door. For an exact quote with no obligation, call (669) 201-7095.
Yes. We are factory-authorized for Schlage, Mul-T-Lock, Sargent, and Abloy, and we stock OEM parts for each. We service hundreds of Schlage units annually in San Jose, from residential Accent line installations to Primus XP high-security systems. For Mul-T-Lock, we maintain the authorization and key machines required for Interactive+, MT5+, and Classic systems. If you have a different brand, we service most major manufacturers and will tell you honestly if your hardware is obsolete or non-repairable.
Yes. Calls are answered by a live person 24 hours a day, 7 days a week - no voicemail, no callback queue. For emergency situations such as a break-in, a lost key with no spare, or a lock that has failed completely, we dispatch a technician with the parts needed for immediate repair or replacement. Emergency service carries the same upfront pricing guarantee: you know the full cost before we leave for your location. Call (669) 201-7095 any time.
Every lock installation and rekey is backed by our 365-Day Done Right Promise: if the lock doesn’t operate smoothly, if the key binds, or if any component fails due to our workmanship or the hardware we supplied, we return and make it right at no charge. This is Haven Standard Clause 7, applied across all ten Haven brands. The warranty is in writing, not verbal, and it’s included with your documented photo record at job completion.
Ensure someone 18 or older is present to approve the work, clear a workspace around the door, and have any existing keys available even if they no longer work. For smart lock installations, know your Wi-Fi network name and password, and have your phone charged for app setup. If you’re rekeying after a home purchase, bring your closing documents or ID - we verify property ownership or authorization before rekeying, a standard security practice. We handle tools, parts, and cleanup; you don’t need to provide anything else.
Schedule Your Lock Installation & Rekey Service in San Jose Today
Call (669) 201-7095 for a free, no-obligation estimate with a firm price quoted in writing before any technician dispatches. We’re available 24 hours a day, and a live person answers every call. Novak Lock & Security has served San Jose since 2002 under The Haven Standard, with background-checked technicians, documented photo records on every visit, and the 365-Day Done Right Promise on every job.
Written by Daniel Novak, Owner at Novak Lock & Security, serving San Jose since 2002.