You cannot carry many more important things with you than your keys. When they break, or you need an extra one, you’ll need a copy of your existing key. One thing you may be wondering is, does Lowe’s make keys?
The answer is yes, but you need to know what type of keys they make, their services, and how much they cost. Thankfully we have all the info you need right here. So read on to find out more!
Does Lowe’s Make Keys?
The short answer is yes, Lowe’s makes keys, and its customers can access the service online and in person. The process is also seamless, and it would take just a few minutes to get a copy of your key!
There are a few important considerations to take into account, however, and if you have been planning to visit a Lowe’s store nearby to get a pair of keys duplicated, stay with us to find all that you need to know about Lowe’s key making.
Who is Lowe’s?
Lowe’s is one the most recognized home improvement and hardware brands globally, trailing only behind The Home Depot. Today the business has the second largest market share globally, with 2,197 stores in North America alone.
Founded in 1921 by Lucius Smith Lowe, the company became publicly traded in 1961. In the final decades of the 20th century, Lowe’s saw increased competition and a shift in consumer preferences, both of which ate away at the company’s financial success.
One of its most prominent competitors, The Home Depot, overtook Lowe’s as the market leader in 1989 and has since retained its position.
But if all you need is a pair of keys, you need not worry about the company’s financials yet! Despite losing out to The Home Depot in market share, the company still boasts remarkable customer service and offers a very convenient avenue for getting your keys duplicated.
What Types of Keys Does Lowe’s Make?
Have you recently lost a pair of keys and want to replace your duplicate pair? If you’re looking for the most convenient replacement option, you should consider going to a Lowe’s store near you.
Although the company offers a diverse range of key-cutting services, you might want to call in advance to ensure that the store you intend to visit does indeed copy the specific type of key you need to be forged.
Almost all Lowe’s locations offer key duplication services, but some of the more sophisticated key types may not be duplicable at all outlets. For example, some stores might not have the technical capability to deal with transponder keys.
Generally, Lowe’s outlets can help you replace all different kinds of keys, such as:
- Automotive Keys
- House Keys
- Remote Keys
- Locker Keys
- Safe Keys
How Can You Have Your Key Forged at Lowe’s?
Although the process is generally convenient and seamless, there are a few things that you might want to bear in mind to avoid any issues.
For example, if you want to have your car or motorcycle keys duplicated, you will need to provide the model, make, and year of the vehicle. The store will also require you to present evidence for ownership of the vehicle, so it is a good idea to take some identification documents with you.
If you have the required documents, the process will be swifter than you’d expect. All you need to do is go to the customer service desk in the store you’re visiting, and they’ll guide you through the entire process. In addition, Lowe’s stores can offer you a more rapid service for an additional fee if you’re in a hurry.
Usually, you’ll need to visit the Hardware Department, where you’ll find a Lowe’s representative at a key kiosk. The representative will offer guidance and walk you through the entire process. Some stores might even find self-service key copy kiosks for more standard key types.
Although appointments are not required, booking a visit online can further expedite your key duplication, as most of the due diligence would have already been taken care of.
Are The Self-Service Kiosks Worth It?
Although the self-service key kiosks might sound great at first, there are a few considerations that you might need to make before deciding whether you want to opt for them.
One of the limiting factors of these machines is that they are not compatible with all types of keys. Generally, if you want to duplicate house keys from popular brands, these kiosks might provide you with a more convenient alternative to Lowe’s locksmiths. However, you might need to visit the locksmith for more sophisticated key types.
Also, these machines will require you to wait through the entire process. Although it might not take very long, you will not be able to leave your key behind and continue your shopping.
However, these self-service key kiosks also have their advantages. For most people, getting their keys duplicated is an annoying affair. These key kiosks can expedite the entire process and eliminate the need to invest social energy into the process.
These key-kiosks are also usually cheaper alternatives as no human effort is involved, and the customers are only charged for the price of blank keys.
For most programmable keys, you will still need to visit the locksmith. Although a considerable number of Lowe’s outlets do have key kiosk representatives, you might want to check before paying a visit.
Having your key duplicated by a professional locksmith might also appear more attractive if you prefer human engagement. This avenue will also allow you to discuss the key duplication process, which can be important if you are trying to get your keys’ design customized.
How Much Does It Cost To Get Your Key Made at Lowe’s?
Surprisingly, Lowe’s prices for most of the simple key duplication are on the lower end of the spectrum. Usually, you’ll only need to pay the price for blank keys used for key forging, as most Lowe’s stores will offer the cutting service free of charge.
Most regular blank keys can be forged between $1 and $5. Of course, this does not incorporate any custom designs or features you might want to add. For transponder keys, your cost might go up to $50 or even more, depending on the type of key and the level of sophistication.
How Long Does The Process Usually Take?
Usually, you will be able to navigate through the entire process within 10 to 15 minutes. Whether you opt for a self-service kiosk or a professional locksmith, the time should not exceed 30 minutes, even for more complicated key types.
However, if the Lowe’s store you visit is experiencing unusually high traffic of key duplication requests, you might have to wait significantly longer for your turn, prolonging your overall visit duration.
How to Order Online?
Lowe’s allows you to pre-order your key blanks and have them delivered to your residence. However, if you’ve already had your key copied at Lowe’s, you can manage the entire process online. All you need to do is reference your order to the previous duplication and provide the necessary information.
What to Consider before Visiting Lowe’s
Lowe’s offers very convenient and affordable avenues for you to get keys replaced or duplicated. Usually, you’ll only be required to pay for the blank keys and get a duplicated pair within a quarter of an hour. However, you might want to consider a few important factors before planning your visit. The type of key you try to duplicate is generally the most important variable.
House keys are some of the simplest forms of keys to copy. You can generally get them forged through the self-service machine without facing any major hindrances.
Although Lowe’s can help you duplicate your car keys used to unlock doors manually, it does not have the technology to duplicate the chip-enabled keys that have become very common in modern vehicles. Lowe’s does sell automated key fob bases, but you will still need to visit your car dealership to get them enabled.
Office keys are also generally easily duplicable. However, in some cases where keys are chip-enabled and managed through the company’s internal security systems, Lowe’s locksmiths and self-service machines may not be able to facilitate your replication requests.
If this is the case, you might want to first talk to support staff in your organization for a more informed roadmap.
Post box keys can also be imitated at Lowe’s unless you are looking to duplicate keys for an official USPS post box. These keys are managed and replaced directly by USPS itself, and Lowe’s staff is not authorized to replicate them.
Once you have decided what type of keys you need to get copied, it is also important to recognize the replication options available at any Lowe’s store.
Some stores offer manual and automated options, but most will have only one. If you have a preference for either, you should call the store before visiting or checking online.
Final Thoughts
The answer to the question of does Lowes make keys is a resounding yes. That being said, there are a few things to bear in mind before you head out to the store.
Lowe’s will do them quickly and cheaply if you want simple keys copied. The process will be a little longer and more costly for more complicated keys. For chip-enabled keys, it’s usually the best option to contact your dealer, security company, etc.
Hopefully, we’ve given you all the info you need to get your keys cut!