Frequently Asked Questions

You call (762) 252-5919, describe the lock or key problem, and the dispatcher quotes a firm price and arrival window. A named technician texts when they're en route, arrives within that window, and performs the work. You receive photos of what was found, a written scope of what was done, and an invoice matching the phone quote. The whole process is documented under The Haven Standard, which we've followed since 2002.

During our operating hours, we typically reach Marietta addresses within 45 to 75 minutes, depending on where our technician is and Cobb County traffic patterns. Roswell Road and I-75 can back up badly around 5:00 PM. We give you a real window, not a fake "15 minutes" promise, and we text when the tech is on the way. We don't guarantee response times we can't control, and we're not available outside 7:30 AM to 8:00 PM weekdays, 8:30 AM to 8:00 PM weekends.

Yes, we can originate and program transponder keys for most vehicles on-site in Marietta. We need your VIN and proof of ownership. The process takes 30 to 60 minutes for most domestic and Asian models; some European brands require specialized equipment we may need to schedule. We quote the full price, including programming, before we come. We do not cut keys from internet blanks that fail in your ignition.

Rekeying changes the internal pin combination so old keys no longer work; it's faster and costs less when your hardware is in good shape. Replace the lock if the bolt is sticky, the cylinder wobbles, or you want upgraded security features. In East Cobb and around Kennesaw, we see a lot of Kwikset SmartKey cylinders that homeowners think are broken when they just need resetting. We'll show you photos of what we find and recommend honestly.

We work with Kwikset, Medeco, Yale, and Baldwin regularly, plus most standard residential and commercial hardware. Kwikset covers most budget-friendly residential needs. Medeco and Yale offer higher security with restricted keyways. Baldwin is our go-to for solid brass decorative hardware in the historic homes near Marietta Square. We don't push any brand; we match the lock to your actual security need and door prep.

Yes. Medeco uses angled cuts and sidebar pins that standard key machines cannot reproduce. Duplicates require a Medeco-authorized dealer with the right blank and key code card. In Marietta, that means coming to us or another authorized locksmith, not a hardware store kiosk. The restricted keyway means someone who finds your lost key can't walk into any shop and copy it. We explain the key control paperwork when we install them.

We can service many antique mortise locks and rim cylinders found in homes near Whitlock Avenue and the historic district. Some need custom pins or springs we fabricate or source. If the lock is too deteriorated, we discuss heritage-appropriate replacements that maintain your home's character. We photograph the mechanism before disassembly so you see exactly what failed and why.

Every pro working under our name is required to hold the license and insurance their state requires. In Georgia, that means compliance with state private detective and security regulations for locksmith work. We verify credentials before anyone represents Novak Lock & Security. You can ask to see the technician's license number when they arrive; it's also noted on your invoice. We're not a fly-by-night operation, and we don't send unvetted help.

Yes. Every technician carries the general liability and bonding coverage required for locksmith work in Georgia. If something goes wrong during a job, there's a policy behind it. We document every service with photos and a written report specifically so there's a clear record if a claim ever arises. Haven's documentation system, which we use, was built for exactly this kind of accountability.

Ask for the business name, the quoted price, and the technician's name before anyone dispatches. A legitimate locksmith quotes a firm price and arrives in a marked vehicle with proper ID. In Marietta and across metro Atlanta, we've heard from customers who called a number with a local prefix and got a dispatcher in another state quoting $19, then a technician demanding $400. We quote your real price upfront under Clause 1, send a named tech, and the price doesn't change. If something feels off, call us at (762) 252-5919.

We handle lockouts during our operating hours: 7:30 AM to 8:00 PM Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 8:00 PM Saturday and Sunday. We're not a 24-hour service, and we don't advertise overnight availability. If you're locked out during our hours, we prioritize getting you back inside quickly. After 8:00 PM, you'll need to contact a service that operates overnight. We believe it's better to be honest about hours than to promise something we can't deliver.

First, check every door and ground-floor window; you'd be surprised how often one is unsecured. If you're truly locked out and it's during our hours, call (762) 252-5919. We'll quote the exact price to open your door, no hidden fees. Have your ID ready, since we verify you live there before picking any lock. Don't try to force a window or drill the lock yourself; the damage costs more to fix than a professional opening.

Yes. We extract broken key fragments using specialized hooks and extractors that don't damage the cylinder. In Marietta's humid summers, we see more brass keys snap from corrosion fatigue, especially in outdoor gate locks. After extraction, we inspect the lock for internal damage and can cut a replacement key from the pieces if they're intact. We show you what we found before recommending any additional work.

Every job carries a written warranty against defects in workmanship and parts. The specific term depends on the service: rekeys and standard installations are covered for a full year, high-security hardware installations for two years. The warranty document is part of what you receive when the job is done. If something fails, call us and we address it. Haven's documentation system means we have photos and specs from your original job, so there's no argument about what was installed.

The Haven Standard is the documentation and pricing protocol every Novak Lock & Security branch follows. It has five components, remembered as H.A.V.E.N.: Have it in writing - flat price, written scope, written warranty before work starts; Arrive on schedule - a real window, a named tech, a text when they're on the way; Verified crews - licensed, insured, background-checked; Evidence on every job - photos and readings of what we actually found; No surprises - no door upsell, no scope creep, no "while we're in here." We've operated this way since 2002.

Call us at (762) 252-5919. We pull your job record, review the photos and scope document, and send someone to assess. If it's a warranty issue, we fix it. If it's unrelated damage or normal wear, we'll show you exactly why and quote any needed work at the same transparent rate. We don't disappear after the invoice is paid. Our name is on the van and the invoice because that's how we build trust in Marietta.

Yes. Under Clause 1, the price quoted on the phone is the price on the invoice. The only way it changes is if you ask for additional work after we arrive, and even then we quote the add-on in writing before proceeding. No "trip charge" materializes on the doorstep. No "parts surcharge" gets invented. This rule was the whole reason Novak Lock & Security succeeded when we joined the Haven family of brands, and it's still our core promise to Marietta homeowners.

Written by Daniel Novak, Owner at Novak Lock & Security Marietta, serving Marietta, Kennesaw, Sandy Springs, Acworth, Roswell, Dunwoody, Atlanta, Alpharetta, Dallas, Douglasville, Decatur, and Norcross.