Rental key cutting in Exeter
Professional rental key cutting services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60
Typical Duration
30 mins - 1 hr
Location
Exeter, Devon
Extra keys cut for your rental property. Done on-site, tested in the locks, working properly before I leave. Multiple sets sorted in one visit.
Stop Wasting Time At Key Shops
You take keys to a shop, wait, come back later, collect them, drive to your rental, they don't work properly. Back to the shop. Get them recut. Repeat. You've wasted half a day on keys.
I cut keys on-site at your property. Test them in the actual locks, adjust if needed, make sure they work smoothly. Everything sorted in one visit.
Work with landlords all over Exeter who need spare sets cutting, replacements made, full sets for new tenancies. Quick, reliable, tested before I leave.
💡 Pro tip: Get spares cut as soon as new locks are fitted. Costs £15 now, saves £150 locksmith callout when a tenant loses keys and locks themselves out at 10pm.
On-Site Cutting vs High Street Shops
Key shops are cheap but you don't know if they work until you try them in the actual lock.
| ✅ On-Site Service | ❌ High Street Shop |
|---|---|
| Cut at property, test in actual locks | Take home, try, often don't work well |
| Adjusted until they work smoothly | "Good enough" cutting, stick or catch |
| Multiple sets done while you're there | Multiple trips, wasted time |
| Tenant can have working keys immediately | Delay move-in waiting for keys |
| You know they work before I leave | Your problem if they don't work |
What You Get
🔧 The Key Cutting Service
| What Happens | Details |
|---|---|
| On-site cutting | Bring portable cutter to your property |
| Test in locks | Every key tested in every lock it needs to open |
| Adjust if needed | Recut or file until they work smoothly |
| Multiple sets | Cut as many sets as you need in one visit |
| Label if requested | Can label sets (Tenant, Spare, Agent, etc.) |
📦 You're Left With
- Working spare keys tested in the actual locks
- No return trips to key shops
- Tenant can move in with working keys
- Spares ready for emergencies
Pricing Guide
| Service | What's Included | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Key cutting visit | Cut 1-3 sets, test all locks | £60 |
| Additional sets beyond 3 | Per extra set | +£5-10 per set |
Based on £60 minimum callout. Standard keys £3-6 each to cut, mortice keys £5-8. All tested on-site.
Perfect For Your Situation If...
✅ New tenancy starting - need full working key sets
✅ Between tenancies - replace lost/damaged keys
✅ New locks fitted - get spares cut immediately
✅ Emergency access needed - tenant lost keys, you need spares
Why Choose Us for Rental key cutting in Exeter?
Cut and tested on-site at property
All keys work properly before I leave
Multiple sets done in one visit
Fast turnaround for new tenancies
What to Expect
Step 1: Check What's Needed
I'll see what keys you need cutting and how many sets. Check lock types to make sure I've got the right blanks with me.
Step 2: Cut On-Site
Portable cutter at the property, keys cut there and then. Usually takes 5-10 mins per set depending on number of different keys.
Step 3: Test Everything
Every key tested in the lock it needs to open. If any stick or don't turn smoothly, I'll adjust or recut until they work properly.
🔧 DIY Tips
Getting keys cut yourself? Here's how to get good results:
🔧 Choosing a good key cutter
- Find someone with proper equipment (not automated kiosk)
- Use your best original key as the template (worn keys produce worn copies)
- Watch them cut it - should be careful and precise
- Test the key in the lock before you leave the shop
- If it sticks or catches, ask them to recut
📐 How many spares to get
- Tenant set (usually 2 keys minimum)
- Your emergency spare (hidden or with trusted person)
- Letting agent set (if using an agent)
- Contractor set (if you have regular maintenance people)
- One extra spare (because keys get lost)
⚠️ Common mistakes
- Using worn-out keys as templates
- Not testing new keys properly before leaving shop
- Cutting too few spares ("I'll get more later" - you won't)
- Automated machines (cheap but often inaccurate)
- Not labeling sets (which keys are tenant's, which are yours?)
💡 Pro trick: When you get new locks fitted, immediately get 3-4 spare sets cut from the brand new keys (perfect templates). Label each set clearly. Store them separately. Saves panic when keys inevitably get lost and you need access quickly.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🔑 Get spares cut BEFORE tenants lose keys - much cheaper than emergency locksmith. When a tenant calls saying they've lost keys, you've got spares ready to go. Costs £20 now vs £150+ emergency callout.
Multiple properties? I can visit several rentals in one trip if they're nearby - cut keys for all of them, saves multiple callout fees.
High-security keys (restricted cutting) usually need going back to the original supplier or specialist. I'll let you know if that's the case - won't waste your time trying to copy something that needs specialist handling.
Exeter landlords often run into key issues during tenant changeovers - lost keys, damaged keys, not enough sets. Having a reliable on-site service speeds things up and keeps your tenancy start on schedule. Empty weeks cost money.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you cut keys on-site at my rental property?
Yes - I bring a portable key cutter to your property. Cut the keys there, test them in the locks, make sure they work smoothly. Much better than taking keys to a shop, waiting, going back, finding they don't work properly, repeat. Everything done in one visit.
How many spare sets should I have for a rental?
Minimum: tenant set + one spare for emergencies/contractors. Better: tenant set + emergency spare + letting agent set (if applicable) + your own set. Costs £15-20 per set total, saves massive hassle when keys get lost or you need emergency access. Cheap insurance.
What if keys don't work after cutting?
Because I cut and test them on-site, we'll know immediately if there's an issue. I'll recut until they work smoothly. Not leaving you with keys that stick or don't turn properly. That's the whole point of on-site service - you know they work before I leave.
Can you cut all types of keys?
Standard Yale, mortice, UPVC door keys - yes. High-security keys with restricted cutting (some newer locks) - depends on the system, I'll let you know. If I can't cut them on-site, I'll tell you where to get them done properly. Won't bodge something that needs specialist handling.
How quickly can you cut keys for a new tenancy?
Usually same or next day. If a tenant's moving in tomorrow and you need spare sets cutting, I'll fit you in. Keys being ready shouldn't hold up a tenancy start - that costs you too much money.
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01392 964094Request Online QuoteOur Rates
Got multiple jobs?
Make the most of your first hour - I can often tackle several small tasks in one visit. List everything you need done when you call!
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