Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers on business security, cameras, locksmith service and home security
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Business Security
What is a master key system and does my building need one?
A master key system is a planned hierarchy of keys: one master opens every door, and lower-level keys open only the doors assigned to them. If your building has more than a handful of doors, more than one shift, or staff who come and go, a documented system on a restricted keyway stops unauthorized copies and makes turnover simple. We design and record the whole hierarchy and you keep the records.
Can you add access control to doors that already have standard locks?
Yes. Most commercial doors can take an electric strike or a maglock without replacing the existing lever or deadbolt. We check the door, frame and closer first, because a reader on a door that does not latch reliably will not secure anything. Then we add the controller, reader and credentials and show your staff how to issue and revoke them.
How quickly can you rekey a commercial building after a staff change?
Most buildings are rekeyed in a single visit, usually within the week. Tell us how many doors you have and whether you need after-hours work so shifts or classes are not interrupted, and we will give you a date when you call (918) 664-5010.
Do you work with schools and municipalities?
Yes. Schools, campuses and municipal buildings are a core part of our commercial work. We are used to purchasing processes, egress and fire code requirements for panic hardware, and scheduling around classes and public hours.
Do you install access control at gates and parking lots?
Yes. Gate keypads, card readers and operators are a regular part of our commercial work, including fenced yards, storage facilities and industrial sites. The same credentials that open the building can open the gate, and the activity shows up in one log.
What happens to my key records if a facilities manager leaves?
Nothing is lost. We keep a copy of every master key system we build and every access control setup we install, and we give you a copy too. A new manager can call us and pick up where the last one left off.
Can you service multiple locations under one account?
Yes. Multi-site operators get one account, one set of key system standards and one team that knows every building. A facilities manager who moves between locations works with the same records and the same credentials process at each one.
Cameras
Can I view my cameras from my phone?
Yes. Every system we install includes an app for live and recorded video on your phone, tablet or computer. You can add logins for managers or family members and set alerts for motion or people in the areas you choose.
Do you install cameras for both businesses and homes?
Yes. We install commercial systems for facilities, schools and offices, and residential systems for homes, including video doorbells and driveway cameras. The planning is the same either way: coverage first, then hardware to match.
Will cameras work with the access control on my doors?
Yes. On a commercial site we design the two together so a badge event and the video of the door line up in one record. That is the fastest way to settle a dispute about who went through a door and when.
How long is footage stored?
It depends on the recorder and the number of cameras. Most business systems are sized for two to four weeks of continuous recording, and we can size for longer if your insurance or policy requires it. Cloud storage is available on some systems.
Locksmith
What is the difference between rekeying and replacing a lock?
Rekeying changes the pins inside the lock you already have so it works with a new key and ignores the old one. Replacing means new hardware on the door. Rekeying is faster and less expensive and is the right call after a move or a lost key. Replacement is the right call for worn hardware or an upgrade to a keypad, smart lock or higher security grade.
Can you program a key fob for my vehicle?
Yes, for most makes and models. Call with the year, make and model and we will confirm it is one we can program and tell you roughly what it costs. Bring proof of ownership with the vehicle.
Can you make a car key if I lost all of mine?
In most cases, yes. We can cut and program a new key from the vehicle itself, including transponder keys. A few newer vehicles require dealer-only keys, and we will tell you up front if yours is one of them.
Can you key every door in my house or office to one key?
Yes. When we rekey we can set every exterior door to the same key, so you carry one instead of a ring. For a business we can do the same on a restricted keyway so copies are only cut by us.
Home Security
Should I rekey after moving into a new home?
Yes. Rekeying on move-in day makes every key the previous owner, their contractors and their neighbors may still have useless, and it keys all your doors to one new key. It takes about an hour for a typical house and costs far less than new locks.
Which smart locks do you recommend?
We install locks from established brands with a keyed backup, a battery that lasts and an app that keeps working. The right one depends on your door, whether you want a keypad or phone control, and whether it should work with a video doorbell. We will recommend one or two after we see the door.
Can a keypad lock work with my existing deadbolt?
Often, yes. Many keypad deadbolts use the same door prep as a standard deadbolt, so they replace it directly. If the door or frame needs adjustment, we will tell you before the work starts.
Scheduling and Pricing
How do I get a quote?
Call (918) 664-5010 or request a site assessment. For most locksmith jobs we can quote on the phone. For commercial access control, master key systems and camera systems, a specialist walks the building with you first and sends a written scope and quote before any work begins.
What are your hours?
Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM. Calls outside those hours go to voicemail and are returned the next business morning.
What areas do you serve?
Tulsa and Northeast Oklahoma, including Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Owasso, Collinsville, Bixby, Jenks, Sand Springs, Sapulpa and Claremore. Commercial accounts with locations outside the metro are handled case by case, so ask when you call.
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes. Tulsa Lock & Key is a licensed and insured Oklahoma company that has operated in Tulsa since 1985. Every technician is a full-time employee rather than a subcontractor.
Do you charge for an on-site assessment?
Site assessments for commercial projects are free. We walk the doors, document what you have and send a written quote. There is no obligation and no pressure to sign anything on the day.