Elmwood Lock & Key

Berkeley, United States

4.4

18 reviews

Accepts Credit Cards

Contacts

QR code, vCard

Telephone:
+1 510-848-0444
Address:
2953 College Ave, Berkeley, CA, 94705
b/t Ashby Ave & Russell St
Elmwood
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:
280 ftCollege Av & Ashby Av
530 ftCollege Av & Russell St
630 ftCollege Av & Webster St
Categories:
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Bussiness info

Accepts Credit Cards
Yes
Accepts Bitcoin
No

Today

Today –
Local time (Berkeley) 2:50 PM Friday, November 29, 2024

Business hours

Monday –
Tuesday –
Wednesday –
Thursday –
Friday –
Saturday –
Sunday –

Description

Specialties

We are the local locksmith for the Elmwood and Claremont areas. We do repair, rekeying, replacement, and installations for residential and commercial properties. We are available for service by appointment. Between service calls, we are in the shop and are happy to duplicate basic house and mailbox keys. But service calls are first priority, so please call before just dropping by expecting us to be available.

Note: We do not do cars, motorcycles, or hi-​security/​restricted/​electronic keys. We do some emergency lock-​outs, but those services are limited.

History

Established in 1996.

Elmwood Lock and Key has been serving the Elmwood, Claremont, and Rockridge areas for nearly 20 years. We make basic house cabinet keys, and offer rekeying, repair, and installation of locks and locking hardware, plus basic emergency services when we can. We work on homes, businesses, and apartments. We do not service vehicles. We have a minimum of retail product.

Meet the Business Owner

Tad L.

Business Owner

Started working on locks nearly 40 years ago. Over 20 years of experience working in commercial and institutional facilities. Owned Elmwood Hardware. Born and raised in Berkeley.

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«Good people, fun products, support your local business»

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Vicinity

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18 reviews of Elmwood Lock & Key

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Place rating: 5
Berkeley, CA
I haven’t even had a visit from the nice guy at Elmwood Lock and Key, and that’s why I’m writing this review! He coached me on the phone for how I might be able to fix the problem myself with patience and expert tips that obviously stemmed from a lot of experience. To me, that speaks volumes about how he serves his customers, foregoing potential sales on a visit that really wasn’t necessary for the customer. He didn’t have to do that, but I will call Elmwood lock and key any time I have an issue and you should too!
Place rating: 5
Beverly Hills, CA
Very nice and prompt people. I was locked out of my house and they came over within 15 minutes and unlocked my door. Very affordable price. Highly recommended!
Place rating: 5
Oakland, CA
Tad was extremely helpful. He talked me through what I needed, steered me from what I didn’t need saving me some money, and when I needed more help installing the lock due to my door configuration, he was quick to come over and get the lock installed.
Visit the shop and you’re stepping into the world of a Craftsman who prides himself in his work and applies the same keen eye to many interests such as guitars, etc. as well. All around, a really cool experience.
Place rating: 5
Berkeley, CA
Echoing everyone else’s praise. Key broke off in the lock, and even though it was after hours Tad came straight away, got us back in the house within 5 mins, and only charged $ 40. Really amazing service, thank you!
Place rating: 1
Emeryville, CA
If there was a way to give a zero I would give it. Incredibly rude and highly inappropriate in conduct.
Place rating: 5
Inner Richmond, San Francisco, CA
A bit hard to find– it’s around the corner and in the parking lot (the blue door). Call before coming in to make sure he’s there. Very speedy and affordable!
Place rating: 5
Oakland, CA
Love this guy! I locked myself out of my house and thought I’d have to pay $ 150 to get myself back in. He came out in five minutes, picked the lock, and only charged me $ 45.
Place rating: 5
Oakland, CA
Tad rocks! I locked my keys in my garage called Elmwood lock, a short time later tad came over opened the lock and charged me a Very reasonable price. Thanks for a Great job!
Place rating: 5
San Francisco, CA
Tad was such a lifesaver! I was just locked out of my apartment earlier today, and desperately needed someone to unlock my door. The first locksmith I called was going to charge me $ 150 dollars, and said that was average pricing (are you kidding me?!) Then I called Tad, and he was extremely professional, asking me questions about the type of lock and whether I can prove that I live there before he opened the door. He initially quoted $ 65 to unlock the door, but when he came within 30 minutes like he promised, he decided to charge me $ 45! A very nice guy, thank you Tad!
Place rating: 5
Berkeley, CA
The shop is still there, you just have to head around the back of the Wells Fargo Bank at Ashby and College. There’s a parking lot, and you’ll see a door with a lot of keys on it. Knock on the door marked by a key and a metal «½» sign. It’s worth going — the owner is very nice, very efficient, and his prices are cheaper than nearby competitors. I copied three standard keys for $ 7.50.
Place rating: 1
San Francisco, CA
I removed my deadbolt, put the parts in a bag and walked over to the physical address above only to discover that THERE IS NONE. The address listed for this business is currently occupied by Boss Robot Hobby. Luckily, the woman working at Boss Robot was really nice. «I know it’s confusing,» she said, and told me to call the owner. There’s something about being inconvenienced by misdirection that makes me want to take my business elsewhere.
Place rating: 3
Berkeley, CA
the place closed down and is replaced by a toy shop…
gave it 3 stars for no reason other than it wouldve been a good location i guess…
Place rating: 5
Berkeley, CA
Tad is a life saver (and money saver)!!! Locked myself out of my apt, just the mindless, habitual locking of the door knob and shut the door…3 steps later I realized my keys are just behind that door! Called several places, 2 well known locksmiths charging whopping $ 100! Others quoted a service call fee + labor which only the technician can quote when they arrive — a process that I felt sounded too sketchy… don’t like to commit without a solid estimate price.
Found Tad on Unilocal with great reviews. When I spoke with Tad, first off VERY friendly and pleasant — a welcoming relief for yours truly in a bummer mood. He knew it was just the doorknob lock just by telling him «apt lockout.» He’s seen far too many of these incidences. He said these kind would cost avg of $ 55. He came over, turns out due to my lock not being properly installed (good news today but not so for personal security…) was able to open without much manipulation. He asks for ID and proof of residence, so he is by the books. Fortunately I had my iphone with me when all this happened else I don’t think I would’ve found Tad.
It is so refreshing to know there are still businesses like these that are catered to the people and NOT taking advantage of their situation.
THANK YOU TAD!!! YOU ARE THE BEST! Definitely a must call for lockout service need (but let’s hope it doesn’t happen to you!)
Place rating: 5
Berkeley, CA
Some random person in a parking lot thought it would be funny to put a padlock on a stranger’s car and ruin someone’s day. I took the car to the police and fire stations and they could not break it off with bolt cutters. It was recommended that I take it to the dealership so they could remove the door handle and slide it off. I called other locksmiths and they were very aggressive (calling back multiple times and insisting I needed to pay them to me and see the lock instead of me going to them) and quoted me exorbitant prices.
Tad was able to cut it off within about 20 minutes for $ 25. I’m very glad businesses like these are still around.
Place rating: 5
Berkeley, CA
Tad was great. He arrived quickly and re-​keyed both my front and back door in 30 minutes. I would definitely call him again.
Place rating: 5
San Gabriel, CA
Got locked out of my bedroom door. Called and arrived in 15 mins as he promised! Charged only $ 50 compared to $ 80+ for any other places.
He is very nice and super efficient!
Will def call him over for future instances!
Place rating: 5
Berkeley, CA
Trustworthy, excellent work. I have used the services of Tad the locksmith-​owner for many years. He is friendly, knowledgeable, and prompt. He has even worked on some very tricky French doors and figured it out with ease.
Place rating: 5
La Cañada Flintridge, CA
Make duplicate keys for just $ 2 each! The entrance is in the parking lot behind Wells Fargo. Friendly and quick service (literally 20 seconds per key).