Key Duplication

Key Duplication in Shreveport, LA for Spare Car Keys and Fobs

A spare key is one of those things you never think about until you need one. Having a copy on hand can turn a lost key from an expensive problem into a minor inconvenience, especially for a car. The catch is that not every copy works well, and most modern car keys need more than cutting to start the engine. Keymergency Locksmith makes car key copies, fob spares, and transponder key duplicates for drivers around Shreveport and Bossier City, and we test every key in your vehicle before calling the job done.

Key Duplication Services We Offer

Key duplication means making a working copy of a key you already have. For car keys, that usually means cutting the blade and programming the chip so the copy starts the engine. House keys only need cutting, which is why we offer those copies alongside other home services.

• Car key copies cut to match your locks
• Transponder key copies with the chip programmed
• Spare fobs and push-to-start smart keys
• House key copies while we are at your home

We focus on car keys because that is where a quality copy matters most. House key copies are $4 each and available during another service visit. That makes a lockout or rekey visit the perfect time to stock up on spares.

Why a Copy of a Copy Causes Trouble

Every time a key is copied, the cutting machine traces the original and reproduces its shape. Small errors in that tracing are normal, and when you copy a copy, those errors stack up. After a few generations, the key may stick, work only at a certain angle, or stop working altogether.

We cut from the best original you have and use quality key blanks so the copy fits cleanly. After cutting, we deburr the key to remove sharp edges that can wear down the lock, then try it in your door and ignition to make sure it turns smoothly. A good copy should feel just like the original in your hand.

Copying a Key With a Transponder Chip

Nearly every car key from the late 1990s on carries a transponder chip that has to be programmed to your vehicle. Cutting a copy only handles the metal part, and without programming, the engine will not start no matter how well the blade is cut. Some keys also hide a remote inside the head, which needs its own programming.

We cut and program transponder copies on-site, including push-to-start fobs. Our car key programming service covers remotes and keyless entry too. Smart keys get the same on-site treatment, with no trip to a dealership.

Kiosks, Pharmacies, and Hardware Stores

Self-service kiosks and hardware store key counters can copy many standard house keys at a low price. Some can also copy certain chip keys when you bring in a working original. For a simple house key, that can be all you need.

Those machines have limits. They generally cannot program smart keys or fobs, they may not carry blanks for every vehicle, and their copies are only as good as the key you hand them. For car keys with chips or remotes, a locksmith is usually the more reliable option.

Making a Key Without the Original

Duplication needs a working key to copy. When every key is gone, the job becomes key origination, where we build a new key from the vehicle, shape it to your locks, and register it with your car. The result works just like a factory key.

That work falls under our car key replacement service, and it costs more than a copy. It is the best argument for having a spare made now, before the last key goes missing. Even one extra key can spare you that expense later.

House Key Copies During Your Visit

As a mobile locksmith, we do not run a walk-in key counter. When we are already at your home for a lockout, rekey, or lock installation, we cut house key copies on the spot. Just mention it when you book the visit.

That visit is a good time to make spares for everyone in the household. If we just rekeyed your locks, we can cut as many copies of the new key as you need. Landlords often request several copies for new tenants at the same time.

What a Duplicate Key Costs

The cost depends on the type of key. Cutting and programming a car key you provide starts at $150, which covers transponder, proximity, and smart keys, and having us supply and program an OEM key usually comes to about $350. We confirm the exact figure once we know your vehicle.

A copy is almost always cheaper than replacing a key after all of them are lost. You can get a free estimate by phone first, so you know the price before you decide. Payment is due once the new key works in your vehicle.

Order a Spare From Keymergency

Call us any day between 9am and 8pm with the make, model, and year of your car. Let us know whether you have a key for us to copy or need one supplied, and contact us to set a time. On the call, we can also say whether your key can be copied or needs to be replaced.

We will meet you wherever the vehicle is parked. Bring every working key you have, since some vehicles need one present to add a new key. Mention it if you are down to a single key, since that can change how the job is handled.