A spare while you have a working key
When you still have one working key and just want a spare, programming is usually the fast scenario. After we cut the new key, adding it to the car is often a short process done right in your driveway or parking lot.
The exact time still depends on your vehicle's system. Some cars accept a new key in minutes, while others run a brief learning routine. Either way, having a working key in hand keeps things simple and quick.
All-keys-lost and security wait times
If every key is lost, the job takes longer because the car has to be convinced to trust a brand-new key with none present. That can mean reading data, calculating values, or stepping through a secure learning process before the key will start the engine.
Some vehicles enforce a built-in security wait before they will accept a new key, and that timer is set by the car, not the locksmith. When your vehicle has one, we plan for it and let you know up front so the wait is expected rather than a surprise.
What can change the timeline
Hardware matters: a plain metal key is mostly cutting, while a smart key or remote-head key adds programming steps. The make and model matter too, since security systems differ widely even between similar-looking cars.
Access and information help us move faster. Knowing your year, make, and model, and whether you still have a key, lets us bring the right equipment and give you a realistic time window before we arrive.
Still have a key or fob question?
Tell us your year, make, and model and we will confirm exactly what your vehicle needs before we head out.