Why does a spare key need to be cut well?
A key copy looks like the simplest job a locksmith does, and it is, until the copy doesn't turn. A key works because a set of tiny cuts lift the pins inside the lock to exactly the right heights. If a cut is off by a hair, the key might still slide in, but it will stick, grind, or work only when you jiggle it. Some copies work for a month and then start wearing the lock itself.
Most bad copies come from the same few causes: a worn original used as the pattern, a cutting machine that has drifted out of adjustment, a blank that doesn't quite match the keyway, or burrs left on the edges after cutting. Each one is avoidable. None of them are obvious at the counter, which is why people find out at the worst moment, standing at the front door with groceries and a key that won't turn.
We have been cutting keys since 1987, and the habit that has stayed the same is checking the copy in the lock before you leave, not handing it over because it looks right. If you are looking for a spare house key, an apartment key copy, or a set of office keys for a new hire, the goal is the same: a key that works smoothly the first time and keeps working.
How do we duplicate a key, step by step?
The process is short, but each step is there for a reason. Here is how a standard key copy goes whether we do it at our Westwood storefront or in the van at your door.
- Identify the key. We look at the brand, the keyway, and any stamps on the bow. This tells us which blank fits and whether the key is a standard type, a high security type, or a restricted one.
- Check the original. A key that is bent, worn smooth, or already a copy of a copy can produce a poor duplicate. If the pattern key is questionable, we say so and talk about alternatives before cutting.
- Choose the right blank. The blank has to match the keyway and the shoulder or tip stop, not just look close. A near match is a common cause of sticking copies.
- Cut and deburr. We cut the new key, then remove the burrs so metal shavings don't end up inside your lock.
- Test in the lock. We try the copy in the actual lock when it is available, and we compare it against the original. If you have a deadbolt and a knob lock, we test both.
- Tell you what we found. If the lock itself is sticky or worn, we explain that plainly. A new key won't fix a failing lock, and you should know that before you hand out five copies.
Locked out or need a locksmith now?
We answer around the clock, every day of the year.
Call (213) 577-1366Which keys can we copy?
Most keys people bring us fall into a handful of groups. A few of them have rules attached, and we would rather explain those up front than surprise you.
- House and spare house keys: standard residential keys for knob locks, handlesets, and deadbolts. We can also duplicate a deadbolt key when it is a different keyway from your front knob.
- Apartment key copies: we copy standard apartment keys, but if your building or landlord restricts duplication, we will ask for the proper authorization rather than guess. Your lease may say who is allowed to make copies.
- Office and commercial key duplication: standard business keys, back-door keys, and keys for file cabinets and desks. For larger sites, ask about a master key system so one key doesn't have to be copied twelve times.
- Mailbox key duplication: many private and building mailbox keys can be copied. Keys for boxes the post office controls are handled differently, and generally the post office has to issue those, so check with them first.
- High security key duplication: keys for higher-security cylinders often have special profiles and need specific blanks. We confirm in person what the key is before we promise anything.
- Restricted key duplication: restricted keyways are tied to a patent or a registered owner. We can duplicate them only when the person asking is authorized. Expect to be asked for ID or an authorization card, and expect us to decline if we can't verify it.
What about "Do Not Duplicate" keys?
A "Do Not Duplicate" stamp is a request, not a lock. Plenty of shops will still cut those keys, and plenty of copies out there were made that way. We treat the stamp as a signal to ask questions. If the key is truly restricted, the blank often can't be bought by an ordinary shop, and we will tell you plainly what is possible.
If you manage a property and want true control over who can make copies, the stamp isn't enough. That is a conversation about high security locks, where the keyway itself is protected and copies require authorization. We are happy to go through that with you, and equally happy to tell you it's more than you need.
What affects the cost of key duplication?
We don't quote numbers on a web page because the honest answer depends on the key in your hand. Here is what moves the cost up or down, so you know what you are paying for when we give you a figure on the phone or in person.
- Key type: a plain brass house key is the lighter-cost end of the range. High security and restricted keys involve special blanks, special cutting, and verification, so they cost more to produce.
- How many copies: cutting several keys in one visit is usually the more economical route than coming back for them one at a time.
- Condition of the original: if the pattern key is worn, we may need to cut by code or work from the lock instead, which takes more time.
- Where we do the work: copying at our storefront in Westwood is generally the lighter-cost option. A mobile visit adds travel, and the distance from our base is a factor.
- Time of day: keys cut in the middle of the night involve a technician being called out, which is different from a daytime counter job.
- Authorization requirements: restricted keys may require paperwork or verification from the owner before we can cut.
Locked out or need a locksmith now?
We answer around the clock, every day of the year.
Call (213) 577-1366When does mobile key duplication make sense?
Most people don't need a locksmith to come to them for a simple copy. The storefront is the more economical route when you can get to it. But there are good reasons to call the van, and they come up more than you might think.
A mobile visit makes sense when you can't leave the property, when you have several locks to check, when you don't want to hand your only key to anyone, or when you want the copy tested in the actual lock. It also makes sense when you need a key cut for a lock you can't remove, like a gate lock or a built-in cabinet. Our mobile locksmith service puts a technician and a cutting machine in the van, so the work is done at your door.
Ladera Heights is about 10 miles from our base, and we serve 140 cities across Los Angeles and Ventura counties, so it is within our regular service area. If it's after hours, you can still call. Our line at (213) 577-1366 is answered 24 hours a day, every day of the year, and the same company that answers the phone sends the technician.
How does key duplication work for homes in Ladera Heights?
Ladera Heights is a mostly single-family community, built out mainly in the 1940s through the 1960s. That has a direct effect on key copying. Many homes here still carry original mid-century locksets, and some have garage side-door hardware that is just as old. A lock that has been used for decades has worn pins, and a key that has been copied from a copy several times may no longer match the factory cuts. We see this kind of drift in older hardware often: the key still works, barely, and the next copy makes it worse.
If you live in Upper Ladera Heights or Lower Ladera Heights and your house key has been in use for years, the best first step is to bring the original, or ask us to look at the lock. If the key is worn but the lock is healthy, a fresh copy cut carefully can bring back smooth operation. If the lock is worn, we may suggest rekeying so every key is new and matched to the lock as it is now, instead of copying a key that is already tired. A full explanation of that tradeoff is in the next section.
Near the Fox Hills border, some condominium and townhome stock changes the picture. A condo or townhome may have a building entry key, a unit key, a mailbox key, and sometimes a storage or garage key, all different. We can copy the ones that are standard. If the association restricts a key, we'll ask for authorization instead of cutting it. The same goes for homes near Baldwin Hills and Westchester: if you're not sure what type of key you have, bring it in and we will identify it.
Garage side doors and side gates on single-family lots are often forgotten until someone needs a key. If the lock on that door is original, it is worth testing the copy before you put it on a hook or give it to a house sitter. For gates that give you trouble, gate lock repair may be the real fix. ZIP code 90056 covers Ladera Heights, and we serve the whole area, including the streets around Ladera Park and the Ladera Center area.
If you have a view home above Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area and you are moving to a smart lock, the question changes slightly. Many smart locks still have a physical key as a backup, and you will want a spare of that one. We can talk through that in our smart lock installation service. The climate here is mild, with some marine-layer mornings and steady breezes near the Baldwin Hills, so weather isn't usually what wears out a key. Years of use is.
Locked out or need a locksmith now?
We answer around the clock, every day of the year.
Call (213) 577-1366Should you copy the key, or rekey the lock?
Copying a key adds one more way into your home. Rekeying changes which keys work in the lock. They solve different problems, and the right choice depends on your situation.
Copy the key when you are happy with who has keys now and you just need another one: a spare for a family member, a backup in a safe place, or a key for a house sitter. Consider rekeying when you have moved into a new home, when a key has gone missing, when an ex-roommate or former employee still has one, or when the existing key is so worn that every copy of it is poor. In those cases, adding more copies adds more risk.
If you aren't sure, call us and describe the situation. We'll tell you if a copy is all you need. If you're a landlord with turnover, our locksmith for landlords service is built around exactly this decision, and the broader picture of what we do for homes is on our residential locksmith page.
One more point: we don't do car key work on this page. Vehicle keys with chips or remote functions are a different job. We confirm by VIN and in person what a particular key needs, and some cases may be dealer-only. That is covered under car key replacement.
Why call Wilshire Lock & Key for key copies?
Plenty of places can cut a basic key. What we offer is a bit different, and we try to be straightforward about it.
We have been in business since 1987. We have a storefront at 10740 Wilshire Blvd in Westwood and mobile service vans, so you can come to us or have us come to you. When you call, you reach us directly. There is no dispatch middleman who passes your job to a stranger, and the work is overseen by David, the owner and lead technician.
California requires locksmith companies to hold a BSIS LCO license, and you should ask any locksmith you hire for it. That's a fair question for us too, and you're right to ask it of everyone. We also explain what we are doing and why before we do it, including when the honest answer is that you don't need what you called about.
If you want to talk through a key situation before you drive out, call (213) 577-1366 at any hour. You can also reach us through our contact page or look at the other places we work on our locations page.
Frequently asked questions
Can you copy a key at night or on a weekend in Ladera Heights?
Yes. Our phone at (213) 577-1366 is answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, all year. After-hours visits are a technician call-out, so the cost is different from a daytime counter job, but we will explain what affects it before we come.
How much does it cost to copy a house key?
We don't post numbers because the cost depends on the key. A standard brass house key is at the lighter-cost end. High security and restricted keys cost more because of the blanks and verification involved. Copying several keys at once and coming to our storefront are usually the more economical route.
Do I need to bring the original key?
Usually yes, and a good original gives a better copy. If your key is worn or already a copy of a copy, tell us. We may suggest rekeying, or cutting a fresh key by another method if the lock can be worked on.
Can you copy a key marked "Do Not Duplicate"?
That stamp is a request, not a lock, but we treat it as a signal to ask questions. If the key is truly restricted, we can only copy it for an authorized person and may ask for ID or an authorization card. If we can't verify it, we will say so.
Can you duplicate a mailbox key?
Many private and building mailbox keys can be copied. For boxes the post office controls, the post office generally has to issue replacement keys, so check with them first. Bring the key and we will identify what it is.
Can you make a copy of my apartment or condo key?
We can copy standard apartment and condo keys. If your building, association, or landlord restricts copying, we will ask for authorization before cutting. It's worth checking your lease or association rules first, especially for condos near the Fox Hills border.
My old house key works only sometimes. Will a new copy fix it?
Sometimes. If the key is worn and the lock is healthy, a clean copy can restore smooth operation. If the lock is worn, the new key may stick too. In older mid-century hardware, we may recommend rekeying or lock repair instead, and we will explain why.
Can you come to my house to cut keys?
Yes. Our mobile vans carry cutting equipment, so we can copy keys at your door and test them in your actual locks. Ladera Heights is within our regular service area, and travel is one of the factors in the cost.
Should I copy a key or rekey the lock if I just moved in?
If you just moved in, rekeying is usually the better first step, because you don't know who has copies of the old keys. After the lock is rekeyed, you can have spare keys cut for the new setup.
More locksmith help in Ladera Heights
Key Duplication near Ladera Heights
Reviewed by David, Owner & Lead Technician, Wilshire Lock & Key — in the locksmith trade since 1987.
Last updated 2026-10-11.