Denver locksmiths give tips on staying safe and secure
As a locksmith, what are some of the services you provide?
Rory Sanger: "We do lock rekeying, cutting keys, installation, repairs and safe combination changes."
Sheri Gagstetter: "We provide emergency service for every kind of security system and, sometimes, we do car lockout openings."
Cindy Angell: "We're a full-service locksmith. We do everything from rekeying a house to opening cars, replacing ignitions, transponder keys, door closures, electronic access systems and safes."
Who we talked to
Rory Sanger, owner
Arvada Lock Key Company
Arvada, Colo.
303-424-7086
Sheri Gagstetter, owner
Denver Key & Lock Company Inc.
Denver
303-321-0891
Cindy Angell, owner
Buffalo Lock & Key Inc.
Boulder, Colo.
303-494-0707
Buffalolockandkey.com
How do you charge?
Sanger: "We have a service call charge that varies with distance and I have set prices for certain things except repair work, which we gauge by the time and parts."
Gagstetter: "It's all custom. Every job is different and distance always plays a role."
Angell: "It all depends. Most of the time there's set pricing that includes the service call. If we're rekeying, there is a charge per lock."
What's the average fee for customers locked out of their house, their car or their safe?
Sanger: "For a house or car in my area that opens fairly easily it's a flat $45, but I don't have a lot of time for emergency lockouts anymore."
Gagstetter: "If it's in Denver, it would depend on what kind of lock it is and if we have to drill. A regular easy-open lock would be $85 for a house, and $65 for a car."
Angell: "It varies by geographical location. A house or car an go from $39 up to $100. Safes are dependent on the safe. There are massive differences in the quality of safes."
Before you start a job, do you require some type of identification?
Sanger: "It depends on the job. If it's opening a home or car, we like to see proof of ownership."
Gagstetter: "They have to have ID or we don't do the job."
Angell: "It depends on the job. If I opened a car I would."
What's the hardest lock you've ever had to open and how long did it take?
Sanger: "The high-security type locks can be pretty tough. Some are un-pickable- you have to use a drill to open them."
Gagstetter: "We had to drill open a safe the Army brought over from Iraq. It took several days, and they were watching us the entire time."
Angell: "Some locks you just can't open, you have to drill them."


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