Make Keys

A badly cut copy is one of the most common reasons a lock starts to feel stiff. When a key is duplicated from a worn original, or the cut is slightly off, every turn puts extra strain on the pins inside the cylinder. Getting spare keys made carefully protects your lock as well as your convenience.

Key needs vary widely. A family might want a few copies of the front door key, a property manager in Ayia Napa might need labelled sets for a dozen apartments, and someone who has lost their only gate key needs a new one made with no original to copy. Posting the job on FixNow lets you explain exactly what you need and find a pro equipped for it.

Types of Keys Professionals Can Make

• Standard cylinder keys: duplicates for most front doors, apartment entrances and internal doors.
• Dimple and security keys: copies for higher-security cylinders, subject to the manufacturer's rules.
• Mortice and lever keys: the older style of key used on many traditional timber doors.
• Padlock, gate and mailbox keys: small keys that are easy to lose and handy to have spares of.
• Sets for rental properties: multiple labelled sets for owners and managers handling guest changeovers.

Copying a Key or Making One From Scratch

Duplicating from an existing key is the simplest route. The pro clamps the original in a cutting machine and traces its profile onto a matching blank, then removes any burrs so the copy glides into the lock. If your original is badly worn, ask whether the key can be cut to the lock's original code instead, because copying wear produces a key that works poorly.

When no key exists, there are a few options. Some locks can be decoded, or a key can be fitted to the lock by an experienced locksmith. Often, though, replacing the cylinder is quicker and more secure, especially if the lost key could be found by someone else. The pro will recommend the sensible option for your lock.

Restricted and patented key systems are a special case. Copies are normally made only with the owner's security card and through an authorised supplier, which is exactly what keeps them secure, so store that card somewhere safe.

Practical Tips for Spare Keys

• Copy from the best key: use the least-worn original you have, ideally one supplied with the lock.
• Test every copy: try each new key several times, from both sides of the door where relevant.
• Label discreetly: never write your address on key tags.

The price depends on the key type, the number of copies, whether security authorisation is required and whether the key has to be made without an original.

How It Works on FixNow

1. Post your job for free with a photo of the lock or the brand stamp on the key (keep the cut edge out of shot) and say how many copies you need.
2. Compare offers from verified pros near you in Nicosia, Larnaca, Paralimni and elsewhere.
3. Accept an offer and pay securely; FixNow holds the money until you confirm the keys work.

Post your job on FixNow and get spare keys you can rely on, without the stiff turns that come from a poor copy.