Keys & Programming · Middle Tennessee
Mobile Key Duplication for Homes and Businesses
Instant Locksmith TN cuts spare house and business keys at your door anywhere in Middle Tennessee, working from your original key whenever possible so the copy fits like the original. Order online or call, and tell us how many copies you need.
- Copies cut from your original
- Price confirmed before cutting
- Pairs well with a rekey visit
Spare keys without a trip to the hardware store
Instant Locksmith TN provides mobile key duplication for houses, apartments, offices and outbuildings throughout Middle Tennessee. A technician comes to you, checks the key you want copied, and cuts the spares on site when the right blank and equipment are on hand.
Most people order duplicates along with another job, such as a rekey after moving in or a new deadbolt. Others simply need five keys for a household that has outgrown its one spare. Either way, the price is confirmed before any key is cut.
Why some spare keys don't work
A key that is hard to turn, has to be jiggled, or only works on one of two matching doors is usually a worn or badly cut duplicate. Brass keys wear down at the tips of the cuts over years of use, and the lock pins wear with them.
When we cut a duplicate, we compare it to the original and test it in the actual lock before we leave. If the original itself is badly worn, we'll tell you and can cut a key closer to the manufacturer's specification, so your new spares are better than the key in your pocket.
Standard house keys
The common residential keyways from Kwikset, Schlage and other major brands. These are the most routine copies we make.
Business and office keys
Door, cabinet and storage keys for small offices. For larger key systems, see our commercial key duplication service.
Restricted and high-security keys
Patented keyways are controlled by the manufacturer and an authorized dealer program. See high-security key duplication before ordering.
Keys we may not be able to copy
Some keys can't be duplicated on the spot, and a few shouldn't be. We'd rather tell you upfront than cut something that won't work.
- Patented or restricted keys. These usually require the system owner's authorization and a blank available only through the manufacturer's dealer channel.
- Keys owned by someone else's system. If an apartment complex, employer or HOA controls the key system, we may ask for authorization first.
- Vehicle keys. Car, truck and motorcycle keys often include a transponder chip and need programming. Use our car key duplication page instead.
- Badly damaged originals. A cracked, bent or heavily worn key may need to be replaced by cutting to the lock rather than copied.
- Order online or call. Tell us the key type, the brand stamped on it if you can read it, and how many copies you need.
- Get your price. The price is confirmed before work begins, including any after-hours or holiday rate.
- Technician arrives. We generally aim to deploy within about one hour inside city limits, depending on demand, traffic, weather and location.
- Cut and test. Each new key is cut, deburred and tested in the lock it belongs to.
What does key duplication cost?
Standard price: quoted before dispatch. Online orders pay the $15–$25 service call at checkout as the deposit: $15 inside city limits, $25 outside. It is a flat fee added to the service price, and the time-of-day multipliers never apply to it. Details are in our Payment & Deposit Policy.
Your price depends mainly on how many keys you need, the type of blank, and whether the visit is combined with other work such as rekeying.
- Before 8 PM: standard
- After 8 PM: 1.5×
- Federal holidays: 2×
- Federal holiday after 8 PM: 3×
Multipliers apply to the standard service price only; the $15 (inside city limits) or $25 (outside city limits) service call stays flat at any hour. Holidays are U.S. federal holidays.
Your price is confirmed before any work begins. If the job turns out different from what was described, we explain the change and get your approval first. See full pricing and rate details.
Duplicate, rekey, or both?
Duplication only makes more keys for the lock you already have. If you don't know how many keys to your home are out there, after a move, a breakup, or a lost keyring, more copies won't solve that. A rekey changes the pins inside the lock so old keys stop working, and then we cut the number of new keys you want.
Many customers also ask us to key several doors alike so one key opens the front, back and garage entry. That is usually done during a rekey and can save a lot of fumbling. Read more in rekeying versus replacing locks.
Key Duplication FAQ
Can you copy a key that says “Do Not Duplicate”?
A stamp alone doesn't make a key restricted, but it does tell us the key belongs to someone's controlled system. We may ask for authorization from the property owner or manager before copying it. Truly restricted keyways need the authorized dealer route.
Can you make a key if I don't have one to copy?
Often, yes. A locksmith can usually cut a new key to the lock itself, or rekey the lock and cut new keys. That is a different job from duplication, so tell us when ordering and we'll confirm the approach and price first.
How many copies should I order?
One for each regular user plus one or two spares kept somewhere secure, not under the doormat. If you share keys with a cleaner, dog walker or contractor, consider a keypad lock instead so you can change codes rather than chase keys.
Can you make all my doors work with one key?
In most homes, yes, if the locks share the same keyway or can be fitted with compatible cylinders. That is done by rekeying the locks to match, then cutting your copies. We'll confirm compatibility before we start.
Is it worth calling a mobile locksmith just for spare keys?
If you only need one standard copy and have time, a store counter may be simpler. A mobile visit makes sense when copies need to be tested in the lock, the original is worn, you need many keys, or you are combining duplication with rekeying or lock work.
Do you copy mailbox and padlock keys?
Common mailbox and padlock keys can often be copied if we have the blank. Keys for USPS-controlled cluster mailboxes are a different matter; see our mailbox lock page for who services those.
Need spare keys that actually work?
Order online and tell us how many keys you need. We'll confirm the price before anything is cut.
