Advice & Guides
Written from the bench for people on Brisbane's northside and around Moreton Bay. What to do first, what things cost, and when you don't need a locksmith at all.
Car keys and fobs
For drivers with a lost key, a flat fob or an ignition that's started to stick.
- Lost all your car keys? What to do next, in orderSearch, secure the car, find your rego details, ID and VIN, then phone a car locksmith or dealer before you book a tow.Published
- How to change your car key battery, make by makeTake out the metal key, open the cover at its slot, swap in the same coin cell the same way up, then test at the car.Published
- Key fob not working or key not detected? What to check, in orderOpen the door with the hidden key, hold the fob to the start button, then check the coin battery.Published
- Key stuck in the ignition? Do this firstRock the wheel, check it's in park, push the key in before turning. Don't force it.Updated
- Car key replacement cost in Australia, decodedThe price follows what's inside the key: blade, chip, remote or proximity fob.Updated
- Does car insurance cover lost or stolen keys in Queensland?Lost keys usually aren't covered. Stolen keys often are, up to a set limit, with a police report.Published
Lock problems and costs
For when a lock or key has let you down, and you want to know what fixing it involves.
- How to get a broken key out of a lock, and when to stopLine the lock up, grip the piece with needle-nose pliers and pull straight. Stop if it slides deeper.Published
- What a locksmith costs in BrisbaneCall-out, the job, the hardware and the timing set the price. The counter is the cheap version.Updated
- Just moved in? Rekey before you unpackRekeying keeps your locks and makes every old key stop working.Published
Home security and break-ins
For households working out what their doors have, what they need, and what to do after a break-in.
- Deadlatch vs deadlock vs deadbolt: which lock is on your front door?A deadlatch locks itself when the door shuts. A deadbolt needs a key or a turn. ASIAL's fact sheet calls both deadlocks.Published
- House break-in? What to do next in QueenslandGet safe, call 000 or Policelink on 131 444, tell your property manager, then change any lock that was forced or has a missing key.Published
- Stolen car keys or house keys: what to do next in QLDReport it, block the car in, list what was on the ring, then change the house locks and arrange new car keys.Published
- Smart locks for Brisbane homes, minus the hypeA smart lock adds convenience, not strength. Sort the deadbolt and the door first.Published
Question the guides don't answer?
Call the shop. Advice over the phone is free, and honest even when it talks us out of a job.
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