Hire a licensed, local locksmith with a real NYC address and verifiable reviews, and get a clear price before the technician starts. Be wary of a very low advertised price that balloons on arrival a common bait-and-switch. Alto is licensed under the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, works from a real Midtown address at 875 3rd Avenue, and quotes you up front.

We’re based in Midtown East at 875 3rd Avenue and serve all of Manhattan, plus Brooklyn and Queens.

Yes. Alto answers calls around the clock, every day of the year — nights, weekends, and holidays included.

Yes. For everyone’s security, we confirm you live at or own the property — usually a photo ID or proof of residency — before opening any door.

Change or rekey your locks as soon as you move in  you never know how many copies of the old key are still out there with previous tenants, brokers, or building staff. Rekeying is usually enough and costs less; replace the lock when it’s worn, damaged, or you want a security upgrade.

Rekeying changes the internal pins so your old keys stop working while you keep the same hardware; replacing swaps out the whole lock. Rekeying is the cheaper, faster choice after a move or a lost key, while replacement makes sense for worn or damaged locks or a security upgrade.

Yes. We can rekey most standard residential and commercial locks even when you have no working key, then cut you a fresh set — no need to replace the hardware in most cases.

Yes, as long as the locks share the same brand and keyway. We key them alike so one key works your front door, back door, and more — convenient for homes and small offices.

Yes — that’s the point. Once we rekey, every previous copy stops working, which is why it’s the go-to fix after a move, a lost key, or a roommate or staff change.

Rekeying is usually just a few minutes per cylinder, and a standard single-lock installation typically takes under an hour. New prep on a metal door or a full mortise setup takes longer, and we’ll tell you before we start.

Yes. Replacement is the ideal time to move up to a high-security deadbolt or a smart lock, since the hardware is already coming off the door.

Usually, yes — most replacements use standard door prep and drop straight in. If you’re switching lock types (say, from a knob set to a mortise lock), minor adjustment may be needed, and we’ll confirm before starting.

Yes. We bore new door and jamb prep and install the lock from scratch on wood, metal, and most apartment doors — you don’t need an existing hole.

Yes. A secondary high-security deadbolt is one of the most effective, low-cost ways to harden a NYC apartment or storefront door, and we can install it above your existing lock.

We install deadbolts, mortise locks, knob and lever sets, high-security cylinders, and smart locks for homes and businesses.

Yes. Our technicians use professional, non-destructive picking and bypass tools that open most standard locks without harming the door, frame, or lock. Most residential lockouts open in minutes.

Yes. We open the lock non-destructively and then cut a new key or rekey the lock on the spot, so you leave with working keys even with no original.

Yes. We can open the door using the mechanical key override or bypass and then help restore power to the smart lock so it works again.

Yes. We make replacement mailbox keys and open locked apartment and building mailboxes across Manhattan, usually without replacing the lock.

High-security deadbolts from brands like Mul-T-Lock and Medeco resist picking, drilling, and bump attacks, and their keys can’t be copied at an ordinary hardware store. We’ll recommend and install the right grade for your door and building rules.

Common upgrades are a high-security deadbolt, a reinforced strike plate, and a door reinforcement or anti-pry plate to protect against forced entry. We assess your specific door and recommend the strongest setup that still fits your building’s rules.

For many city doors, yes. They defeat the picking and bumping that ordinary pin-tumbler locks are vulnerable to, and their key control stops unauthorized copies — useful in buildings with lots of prior tenants or staff. Check your co-op or building rules first.

In many cases, yes. Retrofit smart locks mount over your existing deadbolt on the inside of the door, keeping the outside and your keys intact — a landlord-friendly, reversible option for renters. We’ll confirm which models fit your specific door.

Yes. Most smart locks keep a physical key, keypad code, or both as backup, and they warn you well before the battery runs low. We set up the backup access when we install so you’re never stranded.

Often, yes — especially reversible retrofit models that don’t alter the door. But some leases and co-op rules require approval, so check first. We can recommend a model that keeps you compliant.

Yes. We help you pick a model that fits your door, building rules, and how you want to unlock (code, app, or fob), then install and configure it.

Cost depends almost entirely on how many doors and access levels you need — a small office system is modest, while a full building with many tiers costs significantly more. Pricing scales with the number of cylinders, the security grade, and the keying complexity. We survey your doors and give you a fixed quote before starting.

Typically a change key opens one lock, a master key opens a defined group, and a grand master key opens every group in the building. Larger buildings can add higher tiers so ownership, management, and staff each hold exactly the access they need.

Yes, if the system was designed with room to grow. A properly planned keying chart lets us add doors, sub-master levels, or new users without rebuilding the whole system — which is why the initial design matters.

Not the whole system — but you should rekey the affected level promptly, since a lost master can open many doors. Building the system on high-security, patent-protected keys limits unauthorized copies and reduces this risk in the first place.

Yes. We can build your master system on restricted, patent-protected keyways (like Medeco or Mul-T-Lock) so keys can only be duplicated with your authorization — essential for buildings and offices.

A small system typically takes a half-day to a full day, while a larger multi-floor building can take two to three days depending on door count and hardware. We schedule the work to minimize disruption to your operation.

Keyless entry just gets people through a door without a physical key. Access control adds management on top: it decides who can enter which doors and when, records who came and went, and lets you revoke one person instantly — across multiple doors from one system.

A master key system is mechanical — you manage physical keys and re-pin locks when a key is lost. Access control is electronic — you assign fobs, cards, or codes and can revoke a single credential in seconds without touching the hardware. Many NYC businesses combine both.

It’s any lock that opens without a traditional metal key — usually a keypad code, a fob or card, or a smartphone. It gets keys out of circulation so you never have to rekey after a lost key.

Yes. Keypad systems let you assign individual codes, so you can give staff, cleaners, or guests their own code and delete it later without affecting anyone else.

Yes. Audit logging is a core access-control feature — a networked system records each credential use by door and time, which is valuable for offices, buildings, and shared spaces.

Yes, with a networked or cloud-based system. You can add a new employee’s credential or shut off a lost fob in seconds without recutting keys or visiting the door.

Common options are key fobs, proximity cards, PIN codes, mobile-phone credentials, and biometrics. We’ll recommend the mix that fits your security needs and budget.

Yes. Quality systems have battery backup and low-battery warnings, and doors are set up as fail-safe or fail-secure with a physical key or power override to match your safety and security needs.

High-security locks combine key control and physical hardening: patented, restricted keyways so keys can’t be freely copied, plus resistance to picking, drilling, and bumping (the best are rated to standards like UL 437). The keys can only be duplicated by an authorized dealer with your proof of ownership — not at a hardware store.

Yes. We install high-security cylinders and deadbolts (brands like Medeco, Mul-T-Lock, and Abloy) that resist picking, drilling, and bumping and use keys that can’t be duplicated without authorization — ideal for exterior doors, server rooms, and inventory areas.

Yes. We repair and replace roll-down security gate locks and cylinders for NYC storefronts and can upgrade you to higher-security hardware.

Yes — and it’s smart security practice. For mechanical locks we rekey the affected cylinders so old keys stop working; for electronic access control we simply deactivate that person’s fob, card, or code. Either way, former staff lose access without you replacing every lock.

Yes. We schedule commercial installations and lock changes around your operating hours — including early mornings, evenings, or weekends — so your business keeps running.

Yes. An automotive locksmith can cut and program transponder keys, remote key fobs, and many push-to-start smart keys for most makes and models usually at your location and often for less than a dealership.

Not usually. For most vehicles we can program a new key even when all keys are lost, by pulling the key code and programming directly to the car’s computer. Having a working key can make the job faster and cheaper, but it isn’t always required.

Usually, yes. A mobile locksmith comes to you and often cuts and programs a key for less than a dealership charges — and without towing the car in. Dealerships typically add appointment wait times and higher parts markups.

It depends on the key. A very old car may use a plain metal key that only needs cutting, but almost every vehicle from the late 1990s onward uses a transponder chip or remote that must be electronically programmed to the car before it will start. We handle both the cutting and the Car key programming.

Yes. Push-to-start vehicles use a proximity smart key (fob) that must be programmed to the car, which is more involved than a standard transponder key. We replace and program most proximity smart keys on-site.

For the large majority of vehicles, no. A qualified automotive locksmith has the same programming equipment and key-code access for most makes. A small number of very new or high-security models are dealer-restricted — we’ll tell you honestly if yours is one of them before you book.

Yes. We use professional lockout tools to open most vehicles without damaging the door, lock, or window, and we can reach you fast for a roadside lockout.

Yes. We extract broken keys from ignitions, door locks, and trunks and can cut a replacement on the spot so you’re not stranded.

Yes. We supply, cut, and program replacement key fobs and remotes for most makes, and can pair a new fob to your vehicle so the old one stops working.

Yes — we’re a mobile automotive service and come to your car or home. Most key cutting and programming jobs are completed on-site in well under an hour, though timing varies by make and key type.

Keys can break due to excessive force, wear and tear over time, or if the lock itself is damaged or rusted. Sometimes, using the wrong key for the lock can also lead to breakage.

The cost of broken key extraction can vary based on factors such as the type of lock and the complexity of the extraction. It’s best to contact a locksmith in NYC for a specific quote.

The extraction process usually takes just a few minutes, depending on the lock type and the position of the broken key fragment. Most locksmiths in NYC can resolve the issue quickly and efficiently.

Yes, as long as the lock is not damaged during the extraction process, it should work perfectly with a new key. A professional will test it to ensure smooth operation.

Look for licensed locksmiths with brand-specific tools and verified customer reviews. Reliable services openly explain their process, use certified auto key programmers, and offer warranties. Avoid shops that can’t detail how they sync fobs to your car’s system.

Yes. Many local locksmiths service older models, but confirm they use automotive key programmers compatible with your car’s year and anti-theft tech. Avoid generic tools, as vintage cars often need specialized coding.

A transponder key programmer syncs chip keys to your car’s engine immobilizer. An auto key programmer is a broader term for tools handling fobs, smart keys, and transponders. Both are important for modern vehicle security.

Yes. Our tools cover brands from Honda to Mercedes. Older cars might need simpler coding, while newer models require advanced software updates. We adapt to your car’s specific tech.

We dispatch as soon as you call and aim to reach most Manhattan locations quickly from our Midtown East base at 875 3rd Avenue. When you call, tell us your exact location and lock type so the technician arrives with the right tools.

Your price depends on the time of day, the lock type, and the job. We give you a clear, itemized price before any work starts, never a vague phone number that changes at the door.

Only as a last resort. We open the large majority of locks non-destructively; if a lock is high-security or already damaged and can’t be picked, we’ll explain your options and the cost — including drilling and replacing the cylinder — before doing anything.

First check every other way in — a back or side door, a roommate or family member with a spare, or your building super if you’re in an apartment. If none of those work, call a licensed locksmith and have your photo ID or proof of residency ready, since we confirm you belong at the property before opening any door.

Yes. We respond to emergency safe and vault lockouts and to office and business lockouts, not just homes and apartments.

Yes. If you suspect an attempted break-in, we can respond urgently to repair or replace damaged locks, rekey so any lost or stolen keys stop working, and recommend reinforcement to prevent a repeat. If a crime may have occurred, contact the police first, then call us to re-secure the door.

Yes. We handle emergency automotive lockouts as well — we come to your vehicle and open most cars without damage, day or night.

Yes. We first try non-destructive methods — manipulation or a manufacturer override code — and only drill as a last resort, at a certified drill point, to reach the mechanism.

A quality safe is not destroyed. When drilling is needed, it’s done at a repairable point, then plugged with a steel rod, refinished, and the lock replaced so the safe protects your valuables again. Very cheap big-box safes with plastic bodies often aren’t built to be repaired, so replacement can be the smarter option.

Yes. We open the safe, then reset the combination or replace the lock so you have working access again — for both dial and electronic safes.

Yes. We open, repair, and service residential, commercial, and gun safes.