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Crenshaw Lock

Residential Locksmith in Pasadena · 24/7 mobile

Residential Locksmith in Pasadena, California

Crenshaw Lock Company provides residential locksmith service in Pasadena, California, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We come to your home for rekeys, lock repairs, replacements and security upgrades. Call (323) 997-8867 and David Shar's team will help you figure out the right fix.

  • Mobile to your Pasadena location
  • Available 24/7
  • Price quoted before we start
Call (323) 997-8867or tap to call — we answer 24/7
Deadbolt and lever handle on a wooden front door
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Pasadena homes are not like most of Southern California's housing. Block after block of Craftsman bungalows and American Foursquares from the 1900s through the 1930s still carry their original hardware: mortise locks, rim locks, and the occasional skeleton-key set behind a brass escutcheon that is older than anyone living in the house. Those locks deserve a locksmith who knows how they work and who will not reach for a drill the moment something sticks.

Crenshaw Lock Company has served Greater Los Angeles and Ventura County since 1987, and we are fully mobile. There is no storefront to visit. We bring the tools, the parts and the experience to your door, whether you own a 1920s home in Bungalow Heaven, rent a courtyard apartment near Caltech, or manage a few units off Lake Avenue.

Residential work covers a wide range: rekeying after you buy a home or part ways with a roommate, repairing a deadbolt that has gone stiff, replacing a worn entry set, adding a stronger strike plate, or helping when you are locked out late at night. We aim to fix what is actually wrong rather than sell you more than you need, and to preserve period hardware whenever it can reasonably be preserved.

How it works in Pasadena

  1. 1

    You call, we talk through the situation

    Call (323) 997-8867 any time of day or night. Tell us what is happening: a lockout, a lock that will not turn, a recent home purchase, or an upgrade you have in mind. We will ask about the door, the type of lock and the age of the house so we arrive with the right tools and parts.

  2. 2

    We confirm access and identity of the occupant

    Before opening or changing a lock, we ask for reasonable proof that you live at the property or have authority to act for it. Tenants, owners and property managers are all common here, and this step protects everyone, including the people who live there.

  3. 3

    We assess the hardware

    We look at what is actually installed. A mortise lock in a Bungalow Heaven front door calls for a different approach than a modern deadbolt on a mid-century apartment unit. We identify whether the lock can be rekeyed, repaired, or truly needs replacing, and explain the options plainly.

  4. 4

    We do the work with care for the door

    Where possible we use non-destructive entry and rekey original mortise and rim locks so the brass faceplates, escutcheons and finish stay intact. When a replacement is the better answer, we fit it cleanly and check alignment so the bolt throws smoothly.

  5. 5

    We test everything and hand over keys

    Each lock is tested from both sides, keys are cut and checked, and old keys are confirmed no longer to work after a rekey. We point out any weak spots such as a short strike plate screw or a loose frame, and leave the decision about extras with you.

Need residential locksmith in Pasadena?

24/7 Mobile Locksmith across Greater Los Angeles & Ventura County. We answer 24/7.

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What affects the price

  • The type of lock: a rekey on a standard cylinder differs from work on an antique mortise lock or a high-security cylinder.
  • How many locks are involved: rekeying a whole house to one key is a different job than a single door.
  • Whether parts are needed: new deadbolts, strike plates, or matching period hardware add to the job, while a simple rekey or adjustment may not.
  • The condition of the door and frame: older wood that has shifted or swelled can require extra adjustment or repair beyond the lock itself.
  • Time of day and urgency: a late-night emergency call is a different situation from a scheduled daytime visit.
  • Key requirements: extra copies, restricted keyways, or keying multiple locks alike will affect the scope of work.

Why Pasadena chooses us

  • Serving the region since 1987, with owner and lead tech David Shar, so the experience behind each call is long-standing and not new.
  • Comfortable with historic hardware: we work on mortise locks, rim locks and skeleton-key sets and aim to rekey or retrofit them without harming original brass.
  • Fully mobile and available 24/7, so a lockout at 2 a.m. gets the same attention as a scheduled appointment.
  • Honest recommendations: if a lock can be repaired or rekeyed, we will say so rather than push a full replacement.
  • Range of housing experience, from Craftsman bungalows and Madison Heights estates to mid-century courtyard apartments and landlord upgrades.
  • Clear explanations of what we find and why, so you can make the decision rather than feel hurried into it.

Residential Locksmith across Pasadena

Pasadena's character shows up in its doors. In Bungalow Heaven, many homes from the 1910s and 1920s still wear original mortise and rim locks, and the historic district's expectations favor keeping that antique brass rather than swapping in modern locksets. A common call for us is rekeying those locks after a home sale, so new owners are not relying on keys that passed through unknown hands, while the hardware stays right where the original builder put it.

Elsewhere the housing changes. Madison Heights and the Oak Knoll side have larger 1910s and 1920s estates with multiple entry points and older frames, while Hastings Ranch and Garfield Heights bring different eras and door styles. Near Caltech and Pasadena City College, mid-century apartment courts are popular with tenants and students, and after-hours lockouts near Lake Avenue are routine. Landlords sometimes ask for a deadbolt upgrade on a courtyard unit at the same visit.

We serve homes across ZIP codes including 91101, 91103, 91104, 91105, 91106 and 91107, from the Playhouse District and Old Pasadena to the neighborhoods near the Rose Bowl, the Norton Simon Museum and The Gamble House. Getting around is a matter of the I-210, SR-134 and the Arroyo Seco Parkway, plus Colorado Boulevard, Lake Avenue and Fair Oaks Avenue. Wherever you are in town, call (323) 997-8867.

Locked out or need a locksmith now?

24/7 Mobile Locksmith across Greater Los Angeles & Ventura County. We answer 24/7.

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Other Pasadena locksmith services

See all of our Pasadena services, or our citywide residential locksmith page.

Residential Locksmith in Pasadena — FAQs

Can you rekey the original locks on my Craftsman bungalow?
In many cases, yes. Original mortise and rim locks can often be rekeyed or retrofitted without removing the brass escutcheons or damaging the door. We look at the specific lock first and tell you honestly what is possible. Call (323) 997-8867 to describe what you have.
I just bought a house in Pasadena. Should I rekey?
It is a sensible step. You do not know who has copies of the existing keys, and rekeying is usually more economical than replacing every lock. For older homes, we can rekey original hardware so it stays in place and you keep the period look.
Do you offer 24/7 residential lockout service in Pasadena?
Yes. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and we are fully mobile, so we come to you. Call (323) 997-8867 any time and we will work on getting you back inside with as little damage to the door as possible.
Will you drill my lock to get me in?
Drilling is a last resort, not a first move. We try non-destructive methods first, which matters even more with antique hardware or a finished historic door. If a lock does need to be replaced, we explain why before doing it.
I rent an apartment near Caltech or PCC. Can you help with a lockout?
Yes, we handle tenant lockouts at all hours. We will ask for reasonable proof that you live there. If your landlord wants a new deadbolt or rekey, we can coordinate that with the property manager.
Can you upgrade the deadbolts on my property?
Yes. We can fit stronger deadbolts, reinforce strike plates and check the door frame for weak points. For landlords with courtyard or multi-unit buildings, we can key units as needed so management stays simple.
How much does a residential locksmith visit cost?
It depends on the lock type, how many locks are involved, whether parts are needed and the time of day. We will explain the factors and the scope of work before we begin. Call (323) 997-8867 to talk through your situation.
Do you have a shop I can visit?
No. Crenshaw Lock Company is entirely mobile. We come to your home anywhere in Pasadena, so there is no storefront to drive to.
DS

Reviewed by David Shar — Owner & Lead Technician

Crenshaw Lock Company has served Greater Los Angeles & Ventura County since 1987.

Last updated 2026-10-12.

Call (323) 997-8867 · Open 24/7