Gawler Lock & Key Service
Tracked down discontinued skeleton keys and cut motorcycle keys for under $50 when competitors quoted four times the price.
Janet is named across several reviews as the knowledge anchor in the shop, while Ryan and Jason handle fieldwork and draw consistent praise for manner and competence on-site. The business offers after-hours callouts, and the sample shows this working in practice rather than just on paper — customers locked out in stressful circumstances describe fast, professional responses. One review raises a billing dispute over an after-hours surcharge applied minutes past the standard cutoff, and a lack of follow-up contact from the business; that appears to be a single isolated incident across 148 reviews, so it's worth asking upfront about callout fee timing if you're booking close to the 5pm boundary.
Their work
What it's like working with them
Based on a sample of Google reviews (148 total)
“I needed a locksmith after hours and struggled to get one”
What they help with
Based on what their customers hired them for
How they stack up
Context from 1 locksmiths in Gawler
Credentials & background
Sourced from 5 public records so you don't have to look them up yourself
About Gawler Lock & Key Service
Running for roughly 23 years out of Gawler, this locksmith partnership handles everything from Victorian-era lock restoration to automotive key programming — a range that goes well beyond what most suburban locksmiths carry on their vans. Multiple reviewers specifically name Janet as the face of the shop, praised for diagnostic advice, remote control troubleshooting, and finding obsolete hardware like discontinued skeleton keys when no one else could. Ryan and Jason are the field technicians customers mention most: Ryan draws praise for after-hours emergency callouts and lock replacements, while Jason is singled out for his approachability and problem-solving on the road. The team is particularly well-suited to homeowners moving into existing properties — re-keying multiple door types, screens, sliding glass doors, and shed locks onto a single key is something several reviewers highlight as a genuine convenience. Pricing comes up repeatedly as a point of difference, with one customer describing motorcycle key cuts for under $50 when competitors quoted $220-plus, and the shop's willingness to search deeper into stock to find a match (rather than turning customers away) appears to be a deliberate operating philosophy. For jobs that can't wait, they offer after-hours callouts and have a track record of same-day and next-day turnarounds even for non-emergency work.
Best for: homeowners re-keying a newly purchased property across multiple lock types, emergency or after-hours lockouts in the Gawler region, and automotive key cutting or programming where dealer pricing feels excessive.
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Claim This Profile — Free →Common questions about Gawler Lock & Key Service
Does Gawler Lock & Key Service offer after-hours emergency callouts?+
Yes — multiple reviewers confirm they've successfully used after-hours service, including one customer who was locked out in the evening and had Ryan attend promptly. The standard business hours appear to end around 5pm, after which after-hours rates apply, so it's worth confirming the exact fee structure and cutoff time when you call. Ryan is the technician most frequently mentioned for emergency field work in the reviews we read.
Can they cut and program automotive keys, including for older or unusual vehicles?+
This is one of their more distinctive offerings — reviewers mention motorcycle key sets cut from code for under $50, same-day immobiliser key programming, and car key fob resets. One customer specifically noted they were quoted over $220 elsewhere before calling Gawler Lock & Key. They do ask for proof of vehicle ownership before cutting from code, which is standard practice for security.
What areas do they travel to for on-site locksmith work?+
They're based in Gawler but at least one reviewer drove two hours to use their shop services and considered it worthwhile. Reviews mention callouts to local residential properties, and the business has assisted customers locked out at various points around the Gawler region. For remote locations, it's best to call ahead and confirm travel coverage and any associated call-out fees.
Can they re-key multiple locks in a new home to work on one key?+
Yes, and this comes up several times in reviews as a popular service for people who've just bought a home. One reviewer had sliding glass doors, a front door, shed doors, and screen doors all re-keyed to a single key in one visit. The team also handles lock changes where only one key exists for the whole property. It's worth taking photos of your existing locks before calling — the shop used a customer's photos to quote the job remotely in one reviewed case.
Do they stock hard-to-find or discontinued lock hardware?+
Reviewers suggest they maintain an unusually broad stock, including old-style skeleton keys that are no longer manufactured. Janet in-store is specifically praised for helping customers identify what they actually need (rather than just selling the nearest substitute) and for searching stock thoroughly to find matches. If you have an antique or Victorian-era lock, it's worth calling ahead to describe it — one customer had several old locks restored successfully.