File Cabinet Locksmith in Savannah

Why file cabinet keys disappear so often

Most office filing cabinets ship with two small barrel keys that get lost almost immediately. Five years later the cabinet is still in service, holding important records, and nobody can find a key. Sometimes the original lock has been removed, replaced, or jammed. We handle all three cases.

For most office filing cabinets, we can identify the lock by its key code or by a code stamped on the lock face, then either cut a key from code or replace the lock entirely. Replacement locks are inexpensive and quick to install.

Common brands we work on

HON, Steelcase, Hirsh, Anderson Hickey, Allsteel, Global, Haworth, FireKing — those are the daily names. Most use a small handful of standard lock types: pin tumbler barrel locks (most common), wafer locks, and a few proprietary keyways for higher-end office systems.

When the cabinet itself is the problem

Sometimes the lock is fine but the locking bar inside the cabinet is bent, the drawer slides are off, or the cabinet has been forced open in the past. We can usually still get the drawer open and replace the lock — we will tell you on site if the cabinet is worth keeping.

Common situations we see in Savannah

• Office bought a used file cabinet at auction with no keysPop the lock, install a new cylinder, hand over two keys.
• Long-time admin retired and nobody knows where the keys wentDrill or pick, replace the lock, rekey to whatever pattern the office wants.
• Fireproof FireKing cabinet with a broken lockSpecific lock replacements available; sometimes a new keypad/electronic lock is the better long-term fix.
• Several cabinets in one office, all keyed differentlyRekey to a small group of matching keys for easier management.
• Lateral cabinet that won't openOften a lock body issue, occasionally a track issue. We diagnose at the cabinet.
• Need to re-secure cabinets after a staff changeQuick rekey, similar process to residential cylinder rekey.

What affects the price

Locksmith pricing is rarely a flat fee because no two jobs are the same. A house lockout on Tybee Road at noon is a different job than a high-security rekey for a downtown short-term rental. We'll always quote a price range over the phone before we drive out, and confirm the final price before any work starts.

• Lock typeStandard pin tumbler vs. wafer vs. fireproof safe-style locks.
• Whether keys can be made from codeIf the lock has a stamped code, we can sometimes cut keys without opening the cabinet.
• Number of cabinetsPer-cabinet cost drops on multi-cabinet visits.
• Lock conditionA working lock can be rekeyed; a broken lock needs replacement.

What to have ready before you call

A short call goes faster when you have a few details handy. None of this is required — we'll work with whatever you have — but it helps us send the right tools and the right tech.

• Cabinet brand and modelOften on a label inside the top drawer.
• Lock code if visibleOften stamped on the front of the lock plug as a small letter+number.
• Proof of ownership for the officeEspecially for after-hours or solo visits.
• How many cabinets you haveA walk-around count helps us bring enough hardware.

Local service area

File cabinet service for offices across Savannah, including downtown professional offices, Southside medical practices, Pooler corporate parks, and Garden City warehouses with administrative areas.

Frequently asked questions