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 Chicago Homeowners
Our Lock Installation & Rekey - Chicago service typically runs $19-$49 per cylinder for rekeying and $89-$340 for new lock installation, with most residential jobs completed in a single visit. At Novak Lock & Security Chicago, we’ve installed or serviced over 60,000 locks, keys, and systems since 2002, and every job starts with a written price quoted by our dispatcher - the same price that appears on your invoice. We’re available 24/7 at (331) 202-1318, with calls answered by a live person, not an automated queue.
Chicago’s housing stock presents specific challenges: vintage two-flats in Pilsen with mortise locks that haven’t been serviced since the 1980s, new construction in the West Loop with builder-grade Kwikset deadbolts that fail within five years, and the freeze-thaw cycles that warp door frames across Lincoln Park and Lakeview. Daniel Novak built this operation on one rule, codified as Haven Standard Clause 1: the price on the phone is the price on the invoice. No technician can change it at your door. That rule has been in place since 2002.
What Our Lock Installation & Rekey Service Includes
Smart Lock Installation
Smart locks connect to your home’s Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, allowing keyless entry through a smartphone app, temporary access codes for guests, and activity logs showing who entered and when. In Chicago, we see high demand in neighborhoods like Wicker Park and Bucktown, where homeowners want to manage access for dog walkers, cleaners, and Airbnb guests without distributing physical keys. Novak Lock & Security Chicago installs and configures August, Yale Assure, Schlage Encode, and other leading smart lock brands, including integration with existing Z-Wave or Alexa ecosystems. We test every connection before leaving and document the setup in your photo record.
Keyless Entry
Keyless entry systems eliminate the need for traditional keys entirely, using fobs, cards, or biometric verification instead. This is particularly useful for Chicago homeowners who manage multiple properties or have family members who frequently lose keys. We install standalone keyless entry systems for single-family homes in areas like Oak Park and Evanston, as well as networked systems for multi-unit buildings in Hyde Park and Bronzeville, and we also offer our Lock Installation & Rekey in Cicero. Every installation includes a written scope, a demonstration of all access methods, and backup entry procedures documented in your customer file.
Keypad Lock
Keypad locks use a numeric code for entry, with most models allowing multiple user codes that can be added or deleted without rekeying the physical cylinder. They’re popular in Chicago’s bungalow belt and nearby communities like Berwyn Lock Installation & Rekey, where families want children to have independent access after school without the risk of lost keys. We install mechanical keypad locks from brands like Schlage and electronic models with backlighting for winter evenings when you’re entering a code with gloves on. Our technicians will program your initial codes, show you how to add or remove users, and leave a printed quick-reference guide.
Biometric Lock
Biometric locks use fingerprint recognition to grant access, offering a security tier above codes or cards since fingerprints cannot be shared, copied, or forgotten. These systems are increasingly requested in Chicago’s newer construction and gut-rehabbed properties in neighborhoods like Logan Square and Ukrainian Village. We install fingerprint-enabled deadbolts and lever sets from manufacturers including Samsung, Ultraloq, and Lockly, with backup key override and emergency power options. Daniel Novak personally reviews every biometric installation to verify sensor calibration and false-rejection rates.
Electronic Lock
Electronic locks encompass any lock powered by electricity, including magnetic locks, electric strikes, and motorized deadbolts, commonly found in Chicago’s condo buildings and commercial spaces. For residential applications, we install electronic deadbolts with auto-lock features, timed access schedules, and audit trails. In Chicago’s climate, battery life is a critical factor - we specify lithium batteries rated for sub-zero temperatures and include low-battery alerts in every installation. Our documented photo record shows battery type, installation date, and recommended replacement interval.
Key Duplication
Key duplication creates working copies from an existing key, but for high-security locks and restricted keyways, this requires specialized equipment and authorization. Novak Lock & Security Chicago duplicates standard residential keys on-site, and for high-security brands like Medeco and Mul-T-Lock, we verify ownership and key control credentials before cutting. We maintain key code records for Chicago property managers and homeowners associations, ensuring that only authorized parties can request duplicates. Every key we cut is tested in the lock before you leave.
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’ve serviced hundreds of Schlage units across Chicago since 2002, from the entry-grade Plymouth and Camelot lines installed in new construction to the commercial B500 series in multi-family buildings. We stock Schlage OEM cylinders, strike plates, and mounting hardware, and our technicians are trained on the company’s keying systems including Everest and Primus high-security cylinders (locks that cannot be picked or bumped by standard tools). When we encounter a Schlage lock that has been rekeyed multiple times and the plug is worn, we document the condition in your photo record and quote a replacement cylinder in writing before proceeding.
Kwikset SmartKey locks dominate Chicago’s recent residential construction, and we’ve rekeyed thousands of them using Kwikset’s proprietary reset tool. The SmartKey system allows homeowners to rekey their own locks, but incorrect procedure can permanently damage the mechanism - we receive regular calls from Ravenswood and Portage Park homeowners who’ve attempted it and need professional recovery. We also work extensively with Yale, particularly their Assure smart lock line with Connected by August modules, and Medeco high-security cylinders for Chicago clients requiring drill-resistant, pick-resistant protection. Whether you have Yale, Medeco, Kwikset, Schlage, or any other make, we can help.
Signs You Need Lock Installation & Rekey Right Now
- Your key sticks, jams, or requires jiggling to turn. This indicates worn pins, a damaged keyway, or internal corrosion from Chicago’s humidity swings. A lock that fights you every morning will eventually fail completely, often at the worst possible moment. We can rekey the cylinder or replace the entire lock, quoted in writing before we start.
- You’ve lost track of who has copies of your keys. Previous owners, contractors, dog walkers, ex-partners - in a city of renters and rapid turnover, key control erodes quickly. Rekeying restores exclusive access without replacing hardware. We rekey standard cylinders same-day and provide a written key control log.
- Your lock shows visible damage, rust, or corrosion. Chicago’s lake-effect humidity and road salt accelerate metal degradation, particularly on exterior doors facing east or north. A rusted lock cylinder can seize without warning. We document the condition, quote replacement options, and install weather-resistant hardware where appropriate.
- You’ve experienced a break-in or attempted break-in. Even if the lock held, the stress may have damaged internal components or the door frame. We inspect for pry marks, cylinder rotation, and frame compromise, then recommend repair or replacement with upgraded security hardware. Every post-incident inspection includes a documented photo record.
- Your locks are original to a pre-2015 purchase and you’ve never serviced them. Builder-grade locks in Chicago homes from the 2000s and early 2010s typically last 7-10 years under normal use. If you’re approaching or past that window, preventive replacement avoids emergency calls. We assess grade, condition, and security level, then quote options from entry-grade to high-security.
Our Lock Installation & Rekey Process - Step by Step
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Call and receive a firm written quote. When you call (331) 202-1318, a live person answers. You describe your lock type, brand if known, and what you need. We quote a price range based on Chicago market rates for your specific scenario - for example, “rekey of a standard Schlage deadbolt, ol9-$29 per cylinder, no trip charge.” This quote is entered into our system and cannot be changed by the technician. Haven Standard Clause 1.
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Schedule your appointment or request same-day service. We offer scheduled windows for non-urgent work and priority dispatch for security concerns. Our background-checked, uniformed technician arrives in a marked Novak van with photo ID. You’ll receive a text with the technician’s name and estimated arrival time.
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On-site inspection and confirmation. The technician examines your existing lock, door condition, and frame alignment. If the scope matches the phone quote, we proceed at the confirmed price. If we discover additional issues - a warped door frame, a non-standard backset, a discontinued lock model - we stop, explain, and quote the revised scope in writing before any work continues. You approve or decline; there is no pressure to proceed.
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Professional installation or rekey with documentation. For installations, we use manufacturer-specified tools and hardware, including reinforced strike plates where needed. For rekeys, we disassemble the cylinder, replace the pin stack to match your new key, and test operation with all provided keys. We photograph the completed work, the hardware grade label, and any relevant condition notes for your permanent record.
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Final testing, customer demonstration, and invoice. You test every key, every code, every app connection yourself. The technician demonstrates any new features and leaves printed documentation. You receive a detailed invoice matching your phone quote, plus the 365-Day Done Right Promise in writing. Your photo record is uploaded to our system and available on request.
How Much Does Lock Installation & Rekey Cost in Chicago?
See our Lock Installation & Rekey cost guide: a standard residential rekey in Chicago runs $19-$49 per cylinder, with most single-family homes requiring 2-4 cylinders (front door, back door, garage entry, basement). New lock installation ranges from $89 for an entry-grade deadbolt to $340 for a high-security mortise lock with customized keying. Smart lock installation typically falls between $149-$289 including configuration and app setup, depending on Wi-Fi signal strength and whether we need to install a range extender.
Several factors affect your specific price: the lock brand and grade (Grade 1 commercial hardware costs more than Grade 3 residential), the door material and condition (solid wood doors in Chicago’s vintage housing stock may require mortise modification), and whether the existing hardware is standard or obsolete. We do not charge a trip fee or service call surcharge - the price we quote is the price on the invoice. To avoid overpaying, get any competitor’s estimate in writing and bring it to us; our Free Second Opinion on Any Written Estimate means we’ll review their scope and pricing at no charge. Every free estimate includes a full inspection, a written quote, and no obligation to book.
Lock Installation & Rekey Near Chicago - Our Service Area
We serve Chicago and surrounding communities with typical response times of 30-60 minutes for emergency calls in the city proper, and scheduled appointments available throughout the metro area. Our regular service territory includes Lock Installation & Rekey in Cicero, Lock Installation & Rekey in Berwyn, Oak Park, Oak Lawn, Skokie, Evanston, Elmhurst, Lombard, Downers Grove, Westmont, and Hinsdale. For properties in Chicago’s northern lakefront neighborhoods or western suburbs, we coordinate dispatch from our nearest available technician to minimize wait times. Call (331) 202-1318 to confirm availability for your specific address.
Serving Chicago, IL - Our Local Coverage Area
We’re based in the Chicago 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 Chicago
Lock installation replaces existing hardware with new locks; rekeying changes the internal pin configuration so old keys no longer work while keeping the existing hardware. Rekeying is faster and less expensive when your locks are in good condition but key control has been compromised. Novak Lock & Security Chicago provides both services with written pricing before any work begins.
A standard residential rekey takes 15-30 minutes per cylinder; full lock installation typically requires 45-90 minutes depending on door condition and hardware complexity. Smart lock installations with app configuration may extend to 2 hours. We quote time estimates along with price estimates so you can plan accordingly. Call (331) 202-1318 for a specific timeframe based on your lock type.
Most Chicago homeowners pay $38-$150 for rekeying 2-4 cylinders, or $150-$450 for new lock installation including hardware and labor. The exact price depends on lock brand, grade, door condition, and any additional security features requested. We quote your specific price on the phone, and that price is contractually protected by Haven Standard Clause 1 - the technician cannot change it at your door. Call (331) 202-1318 for an exact quote; estimates are free.
Yes. We are factory-authorized for premium brands including Medeco, Mul-T-Lock, and Abloy, and we service and stock parts for Schlage, Kwikset, Yale, Baldwin, and most other residential and commercial lock manufacturers. Our technicians carry common cylinders, strike plates, and mounting hardware for Chicago’s most prevalent brands. If you have an uncommon or discontinued model, we’ll research availability and quote options before ordering.
Yes. Calls are answered by a live person 24 hours a day, 7 days a week - no voicemail, no callback window. Emergency dispatch is available for lockouts, post-break-in security restoration, and failed locks that compromise home security. Response times in Chicago typically range from 30-60 minutes depending on your neighborhood and time of day. The same written pricing rule applies to emergency calls.
Every job is backed by our 365-Day Done Right Promise: if it’s not done right, we make it right, at no additional cost. This covers installation defects, keying errors, and hardware failures attributable to our workmanship. Manufacturer warranties on hardware vary by brand - Schlage and Kwikset typically offer limited lifetime mechanical warranties, while electronic components carry 1-3 year coverage. We document all warranty terms in your customer file.
Ensure someone 18 or older is present to approve the work, clear access to the doors being serviced, and have any existing keys available. For smart lock installations, confirm your Wi-Fi network name and password, and ensure your router is within reasonable range. If you’re rekeying due to a lost key situation, we may need proof of residency or ownership - a driver’s license with matching address, lease agreement, or deed. We bring all tools, parts, and documentation; you don’t need to provide anything else.
Schedule Your Lock Installation & Rekey Service in Chicago Today
Call Novak Lock & Security Chicago at (331) 202-1318 for a free, written estimate with no obligation to book. A live person will answer, quote your specific price, and schedule your appointment. Every job includes background-checked, uniformed technicians, a documented photo record, and the 365-Day Done Right Promise. We’re available 24/7 for emergencies and scheduled service throughout Chicago and surrounding communities.
Written by Daniel Novak, Owner at Novak Lock & Security, serving Chicago since 2002.