We got three calls in one week from businesses on Magnolia Boulevard last month. Same story each time: somebody broke into a shop a few doors down, and now every neighbor on the block is rethinking their locks.
If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Here are the questions we hear most from Burbank business owners who are ready to upgrade their security.
Do I Actually Need to Change My Locks, or Can They Just Be Rekeyed?
Depends on what you’ve got. If your locks are standard commercial-grade deadbolts that are less than five or six years old and still in solid shape, rekeying might be enough. That just swaps out the internal pins so old keys stop working.
But here’s the thing — a lot of the offices we visit in the Burbank Media District and along Olive Avenue are running locks that were installed when the tenant before you moved in. Maybe two tenants ago. Those locks are worn, outdated, and a full commercial lock change in Burbank makes more sense than putting new pins in old hardware.
After a nearby break-in, we almost always recommend a full change. You don’t know who has copies of your current keys floating around, and upgrading the hardware itself gives you a higher security grade.
What Kind of Locks Should I Put on My Burbank Office?
For most commercial spaces — offices, retail shops, small warehouses near the Burbank Airport area — we recommend ANSI Grade 1 deadbolts paired with heavy-duty commercial lever handles. These are the highest-rated mechanical locks available and they resist forced entry far better than the Grade 3 stuff you find at hardware stores.
If you want to skip keys entirely, high-security keypad locks or smart locks with audit trails are popular with property managers around the Empire Center and San Fernando Boulevard office parks. They let you track who enters and when, and you can change codes instantly if an employee leaves.
For businesses that need tighter control, we also handle — card readers, fob systems, the whole setup.
How Much Does a Commercial Lock Change Cost in Burbank?
Straight numbers: most commercial lock changes run between $150 and $350 per door, depending on the lock grade and type. A standard Grade 1 deadbolt swap on a single office door is usually on the lower end. If you’re doing a set of high-security locks across multiple entry points — say a front door, back exit, and a server room — the per-door cost can drop a bit since we’re already on site.
Keypad and electronic locks cost more for the hardware, typically $250 to $500 per door installed. But they save you money long-term because you never need to rekey when someone loses a key or quits.
We give exact quotes before any work starts. No surprises on the invoice.
How Fast Can You Get Here After a Break-In Nearby?
We run 24/7 service across all of Burbank — from the Rancho neighborhood down near Chandler Boulevard up through the hillside streets above Glenoaks. For urgent commercial lock change jobs, we’re typically on site within 25 to 40 minutes.
That said, if it’s not an emergency and you’re just upgrading proactively after hearing about a break-in on your street, scheduling a daytime appointment means we can spend more time helping you choose the right hardware and doing a full security check of all your entry points.
Should I Change All the Locks or Just the Front Door?
People focus on the front door, but break-ins rarely happen at the front. We see forced entry through back doors, side doors to shared hallways, and even interior doors between connected suites — especially in the older commercial buildings along Victory Boulevard and First Street.
Our recommendation: change every exterior lock and any interior lock that protects valuable equipment or sensitive information. If you have a server closet, a stockroom, or a cash office, those doors matter just as much as the main entrance.
A commercial lock change in Burbank doesn’t have to mean replacing 15 locks at once. We help you prioritize. Start with the vulnerable points, budget the rest over a month or two.
Can You Match All My New Locks to One Key?
Yes — master keying is one of the most requested services we do alongside commercial lock changes. We set up your new locks so one master key opens everything, while individual keys only open specific doors. Your office manager gets a master, your cleaning crew gets a key that only opens the front door and supply closet, and so on.
This is especially useful for Burbank businesses with multiple rooms or suites. We handle the whole key hierarchy so it makes sense for how your team actually uses the space.
If you’re weighing your options after a break-in scare — or just tired of locks that feel flimsy — our team is happy to walk through your space and give you an honest assessment. Check out our full Burbank locksmith services or call us directly at (818) 398-9391. We’ll help you figure out exactly what you need and get it done right.
