Your Questions, Answered

A man with short dark hair and a beard looking directly at the camera, wearing a black T-shirt with a logo that says 'ACE Locksmith Services Inc.', a commercial and residential Edmonton locksmith company.
A man with short dark hair and a beard looking directly at the camera, wearing a black T-shirt with a logo that says 'ACE Locksmith Services Inc.', a commercial and residential Edmonton locksmith company.
  • Yes! Locksmiths need to be licensed in order to work in Alberta.

    Under Alberta’s Security Services and Investigators Act and Security Services and Investigators (Ministerial) Regulation, you must be licensed by the Government of Alberta to possess locksmith tools or work on locking devices or master key systems, maintain key code records, or cut, make or sell keys or other lock-operating devices for which duplication is restricted.

  • We offer a full range of commercial and residential locksmithing services, including key cutting, lock rekeying, door & lock repair, deadbolt repair, weather stripping, accessible door operators, astragals & interlockers, access controls, and security gates.

  • Call or text (780) 999-0456 or reach out through our Contact section—we’ll walk you through the next steps and answer any questions along the way.

  • We’re responsive, honest, and trustworthy. We offer same-day service and we’re always here to help!

  • Yes! This should be your first priority when you take possession, as it ensures only you have the new keys. If there were renovations, wait until the contractors are completely finished the job and off-site – that way there’s no extra keys floating around in someone’s pocket. If this was a new build, ask your builder to pay for a rekey after you take possession.

  • Rekeying is when we use the existing hardware to work with a new set of keys, which is a quick and inexpensive solution. This is best when you are moving into a new home, taking over a commercial space from the previous owner, or creating a master key system for multiple locks. Changing a lock involves replacing all of the hardware, often if it’s damaged or needs upgrading – this is more expensive and time consuming.

  • Call us right away! (780) 999-0456. We'll get you back inside quickly and rekey the lock so you have a fresh set of keys — no fuss, no damage.

  • Don’t worry, this is a common occurence. But before you call us, there are a couple things you can try at home first. If the key is sticking out, try lubricating the keyway with a lubricant such as WD-40. Then, use tweezers or pliars to carefully remove the key. If that doesn’t work, we’re here to help! Call (780) 999-0456.

  • This is a great question and something that unfortunately occurs all too often in the industry.

    In Alberta, locksmithing is a regulated trade. To legally work as a locksmith, individuals must be licensed by the Government of Alberta under the Security Services and Investigators Act (SSIA) and be a registered apprentice or a certified journey person. Before hiring anyone, ask if they are licensed. A reputable locksmith won't hesitate to show credentials. If they dodge the question, move on.

    Local, Established Business

    A physical address matters. Many fly-by-night operations advertise locally but are actually call centres dispatching untrained contractors from out of town. Search the business name, check Google Maps, look for reviews that mention the technician by name. If the only footprint is a phone number and a website built last month, be cautious.

    Transparent Pricing and The Bait and Switch

    This one deserves its own section because it's one of the most common complaints in the industry. It’s also known as a ‘dispatch scam.’

    You'll see ads promising a low service call fee – sometimes as low as $39. Sounds reasonable. You're stressed, you call, they show up. Then the story changes.

    Suddenly, the job is highly complex – your lock is "damaged beyond picking" or needs to be replaced — labour and parts extra. Or the $39 was just to show up, and the actual work starts at $200, or more. By that point, you're already there, it's late, and you feel like you have no choice.

    Here’s where it gets interesting. Only fully licensed individuals under the Government of Alberta SSIA can purchase a lockpicking gun, which is required to pick locks. Now you’re stuck with an unlicensed contractor who legally cannot pick your lock. Instead, they’ll push to replace all of the hardware which is expensive and time consuming.

    This is a real and widespread practice. Here's how to protect yourself:

    • Ask for a full estimate before they start any work. A legitimate locksmith will assess the job and give you a number before touching anything.

    • Ask what's included in the service call fee — does it cover the work, or just the arrival?

    • Get it in writing or via text if possible. Even a screenshot of the quoted price in the chat helps.

    • Know that you can say no. If the price jumps dramatically once they arrive, you are not obligated to proceed. You may owe a service call fee for their time, but you don't have to agree to inflated repair costs.

    • Be wary of locksmiths who immediately push for a full lock replacement when a simple unlock or rekey would do the job.

    The bottom line: a fair locksmith will quote you honestly upfront. If the price feels like it's moving as they talk, trust that instinct.

  • Yes! We install and service all types of access control systems, including keyless entry, card readers, and biometric scanners.

  • Call us right away! We’re here to help, 24/7. (780) 999-0456.

  • The first step is to pick the lock, which is something only a certified locksmith can do. In Alberta, the Security Services and Investigators Act (SSIA) strictly regulates lockpicking tools. Under Section 5(1), it is an offence to possess or operate locksmith tools, or specialized automotive lock bypass tools, without a proper license. This applies to individuals and businesses involved in locksmithing, security, or automotive lock bypass services.

    If for some reason we cannot pick the lock – maybe it’s damaged or broken – then we’ll need to cut the lock or remove the hardware depending on the type of lock it is.

  • Grade 1 locks are designed for the greatest durability and commercial-grade protection. Typical uses included high-traffic areas such as entrances to shopping centres, apartments, or stadiums. However, you can still use a Grade 1 lock for your home! This will provide you the maximum level of security and peace of mind.

    Grade 1 locks are the highest ANSI/BHMA certified security, designed for maximum durability and commercial-grade protection. They must withstand over 1 million operating cycles and high-force tests (e.g., 700 lbs for levers). Common applications include high-traffic, heavy-duty commercial doors and top-tier residential entry security.

  • My most common recommendation is to add an astragal to your doors. This is a long piece of aluminum or steel that covers the space between your door and the lock, eliminating the gap that is required for someone to pry open a door. When installed properly, it greatly decreases the possibility of someone attempting to pry open your door.

    A security system is also an excellent prevention tool. According to studies, cameras can reduce the likelihood of break-ins by up to 60%, as most individuals prefer easy targets without cameras. This tracks with my personal experience – at businesses where I’ve installed cameras, we’ve seen the fewest attempted break-ins.