Fidelity Lock & Key in Baltimore: Same-Day Residential and Commercial Service Without the Chain Markup

Fidelity Lock & Key is a single-location, locally owned locksmith serving Baltimore's residential and commercial customers from Fells Point, operating for over 20 years with a focus on rekeying, deadbolt installation, and emergency lockout calls. Unlike national franchises, it prices jobs individually rather than through a tiered menu, which means costs vary significantly based on lock type and job complexity.

What Fidelity Lock & Key actually is

Fidelity operates as a traditional full-service locksmith, not a hardware-store key-cutting kiosk or a chain operation. The business handles physical lock work (installation, repair, replacement) rather than just duplicating existing keys. It serves both homeowners and small commercial clients, with the capacity to handle everything from a single residential lockout to rekeying an office building after staff turnover. The shop itself is walk-in accessible, though phone calls or text requests will get a faster dispatch if you need service at your home or business rather than at the counter.

Services and pricing

Fidelity charges a service call fee of around $50 to $75 for residential emergency lockouts, plus labor and materials for the actual work. A basic residential lockout (picking or non-destructive entry) typically runs $100 to $150 total. Rekeying a single lock cylinder costs $25 to $40 per lock, plus a $40 to $50 service call if you call them out. Deadbolt installation on a new door starts around $80 to $120 per bolt, depending on door material and whether the frame needs adjusting. High-security locks and mortise locks cost more; commercial-grade cylinders run $40 to $80 each before labor. Prices are estimates and can shift with material costs; confirm current pricing by phone before scheduling.

The shop will also cut keys from existing blanks at the counter (typically $3 to $8 per key copy), duplicate keys from a photograph if you've lost the original, rekey your existing locks after a break-in or tenant change, and install master key systems for landlords managing multiple units. They do not sell locks retail; you pay for the lock as part of the labor package when they install it.

How Fidelity compares to other Baltimore locksmiths

Baltimore has chain locksmiths (Ace Hardware key services, which are fast but limited to simple cutting), national franchises that dispatch from call centers, and independent locksmiths scattered across neighborhoods. Ace Hardware in Harbor East and the Canton location will cut keys quickly (same-day) at lower per-key cost ($2 to $5), but they cannot pick locks, install new deadbolts, or handle emergency lockouts. Fidelity's pricing sits between Ace and the high-end security specialists (like those focused purely on commercial high-security work); it suits homeowners and small businesses that need actual lock work done in-house by someone who stays in Baltimore rather than a roving contractor. For a simple key copy, Ace is faster and cheaper. For a lockout at 11 p.m. on a Sunday or a residential rekey after moving, Fidelity's local presence and 24-hour emergency availability make the service call fee worth the cost and reliability.

Who it suits and who it does not

Fidelity works best for Baltimore homeowners dealing with lost keys, broken locks, lockouts, or the need to change locks after a break-in or lease turnover. Landlords managing multiple rental units benefit from the rekeying service and master key systems. Small commercial clients with a handful of doors or a need to pin change access after staff leave also fit the profile. The business is not suited to retail chain buyers needing hundreds of keys cut (too expensive compared to bulk key-cutting services), or to customers seeking same-day service on a lock they haven't yet purchased from a supplier. Fidelity works with locks you own or want to install; they are not a hardware store.

What the first visit involves

Walk-ins at the shop can request key cuts at the counter with no wait beyond whoever is ahead of you. For a lockout or installation, call ahead; dispatch typically arrives within 30 minutes for emergency lockouts (longer on weekends during peak hours). The technician will assess the lock type, discuss options (rekeying vs. replacement), quote the job, and proceed if you approve. For in-home service, they may ask for a photo of the lock via text if you need to confirm cost before they come out. No deposit is required for non-emergency jobs; payment is due upon completion, and they accept cash, card, and check.

Hours, parking, and logistics

Fidelity operates Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with emergency lockout service available 24/7 (call for after-hours rates, typically a surcharge of $50 to $100 applies). The shop is located in Fells Point with street parking; no dedicated lot. The business does not maintain a website; reach them by phone or text. Verify current hours and emergency surcharge by calling before you need them at midnight.

For Baltimore residents who want a local, pickup-friendly locksmith without the unpredictability of national dispatch centers, Fidelity's two-decade tenure and single-location operation mean consistent technicians and no hidden fees from franchisees.