It’s good to have multiple copies of your house key, whether you have people living in the same house or not.
Having a key copy handy comes in useful in situations where you lose your key or your existing key sometimes, but not all the time. Many people have to pull their keys out of the lock a little to work. Some have to jiggle the lever, then turn it to allow them to unlock the door.
Whatever your reason for getting a key copy, there are plenty of considerations, like where to get a key copy, and how long it takes to get your key copied.
One of the easiest and most convenient ways to get a key copy would be from local runners up stores like Home Depot. This leads to the question, can I get a key copy at Home Depot? Long story short, the answer is yes, well sort of. Home Depot does offer a key copy Service, however this does not apply to all types of keys.
In this article, there will be an overview of home depots key copy process, How much does it cost get a key copy at Home Depot, how long it takes to copy a key. Lastly, we will provide you with a detailed description of the step by step process on how to do a Home Depot key copy DIY?
What is a Key Copy?
Key duplication is simply making another key using the original key as a template. The standard treatments for making copies of keys is called key cutting or key duplicating.
Key duplicators are machines that have two key ports. One port is for the original key and the other is for the “blank key.” During the key duplicate process, the machine will ensure that both of the keys that you placed in the machine are horizontal to each other.
The machine will allow the blade of the duplicator to cut the blank key by allowing the original key to guide the path of the blade. After the cutting is complete and you’ve removed your new key, it will go through the polishing and smoothing process for quality assurance, and it will be ready for use.
To make a duplicate of a specific key, you must have the proper blank key; making sure that the blank key is exactly identical to that of your original key is how you ensure quality duplication. When you go into your local store and they do key duplicating, they usually have millions of key blanks that seemingly match and/or are constructed the same as your original key.
This is not to say that the new copy will identical to your original key; you will still be able to tell that the copied key is not your original key as you look at it.
Can you make a copy of a key without the original?
Original Keys vs. Non-Original Keys
Although Home Depot can make copies of many types of keys, there are certain situations that can complicate that process. For standard house keys from common residential locks, Home Depot will typically have no problem making duplicates without an original.
For more unique keys, including high-security keys, vehicle keys, or electronic keys, having the original key is often required.
Types of Keys Home Depot Can Duplicate
| Key Type | Can Be Duplicated Without Original |
|---|---|
| Standard House Keys | Yes |
| Car Keys (Mechanical) | No |
| Vehicle Fob/Transponder | No |
| High-Security Keys | Typically not |
| Padlock Keys | Depends on the lock’s design |
Understanding the Key Duplication Process at Home Depot
When you go to Home Depot to get a key duplicated, it generally includes these steps:
- Choosing the Key: You will identify the type of key you need.
- Machine Reading: The machine will read the original key’s grooves if you have the original key.
- Making the Key as a Duplicate: The machine will cut a new key.
- Testing: You will try the key on the lock.
If you do not have the original key, it is important to have a conversation with the Home Depot associate about your situation so they can help with any alternatives.
Home Depot car key copy DIY?
Home Depot has key copy machines in multiple locations inside various stores. The process could not be easier; all you do is put the original key into the machine, wait about 5 minutes or less, and walk away with a working copy of your key.
What is fascinating about the Home Depot key copy is that you will not pay anything for the key copying service itself. You will only pay for the copy of the key.
Home Depot will key copy most car types. They key copy from Hadlock keys all the way to any key type that needs a key.
When they use key copying machines, Home Depot has special software programs and blank keys. Home Depot does not have all types of key blanks or key profiles.
This is why when you first insert the key, the key copying machine will open and scan the key, then it will tell you if it will copy your key or not.
In general, most customers with “do not duplicate” keys find it difficult to get a copy with Home Depot. In other words, if you have a high security key type you may not be getting it copied at Home Depot.
To be fair, Home Depot allows a higher level of security on these security type keys. In other words, Home Depot has done their best to protect customers in case someone finds their security key and attempts to copy the key.
Does Home Depot key copy include programmed car keys copy service?
Similar to Walmart’s key maker machine, Home Depot only does key copying for keys that are used for mechanical operation only. In other words, all Home Depot’s machine will do is cut through the actual metal and shape out the key that looks like your original key without programming.
So if you have a coded key programmed to turn on your engine, even though you get a key copy and it looks the same, you will not start the engine with the copy.
Long story short, Home Depot provides a similar shaped copy of the key and does not program the key service.
How Accurate is the Home Depot Key Copy
Home Depot’s key copy is the most known key copy service in America. Home Depot does provide copies accurately for 90% of car keys, including the latest designs.
The Home Depot key copy machine has a very accurate scanning tool that tells Home Depot if they can provide a copy for you or not.
Please note that this scanning service is not available at every single Home Depot.
So you might have to call and ask if your local Home Depot has that scanning service. You can also ask them if they know where the closest Home Depot is with the scanning service, if they don’t have it.
So, how long will it take to get a Home Depot car key copy for my vehicle?
Although cutting an additional key or developing a key copy may sound like an odd process, you will be amazed at how quickly you can get your key copied at Home Depot.
Plan on spending about 5 minutes getting a duplicate of your key because the machine has the proper template that matches your original key.
It is crucial to note, some researchers and locksmiths said duplicating a more complex key could take up to 25 minutes to copy!
How much will it cost to get a key copy at Home Depot?
Home Depot provides key duplication features for several standard keys ranging in price from $4 – $10, depending on the key blank.
They can even duplicate house keys, business keys, and padlock keys from major brands like Yale, Master Lock, and American Lock.
Keep in mind that Home Depot only duplicates standard/non-secure keys. If you need a fast, basic key copy, Home Depot is efficient.
What does a “DO NOT DUPLICATE” key mean?
Many individuals think that a “DO NOT DUPLICATE” means that no one can create a copy of the keys. This is incorrect.
A key with a “DO NOT DUPLICATE” is a polite way of saying, “Can you ask permission before creating a copy of this key?”. Stated in other words, there is no legal prohibition to replicate these keys. But it comes down to the ethical business decision to replicate the keys or not.
Several types of keys cannot be duplicated, per law. For example, the law prohibits duplication of post office keys. Similarly, any keys that have a designation for US property are legally protected from being duplicated.
The bottom line is that “DO NOT DUPLICATE” designated keys are ethically related and legally allowed to be duplicated.
Home Depot Key Copy vs. Locksmith pros vs. cons.
Generally, the biggest distinction of Home Depot and Locksmith is that Home Depot hired people with hardly any training to set up a mobile phone system that operates regulated automated machines that make key duplication while Locksmith has someone who completes the duplications.
That being said, it is no surprise that Home Depot copies are far cheaper than those of Locksmith. However, cheaper does not equal quality. In other words, although anyone who uses Workman Locksmith will pay much more than Home Depot, Workman Locksmith completed the duplication of your key with almost complete accuracy and with the assurance that the new copy of your key functions properly.
There are hundreds of complaints about improper key duplication from Home Depot, while there are no legitimate complaints regarding incorrect key duplications from Workman Locksmith. Locksmith is the best company that does key cutting and copying.
They will decode your key and document the original specs to replicate it before producing a new copy. This is very helpful, especially when your original key is worn out. Locksmith also addresses broken and bent keys, which Home Depot cannot do.
Think of Home Depot as a copy machine and a locksmith as a printer, you provide the original specs and get the original key and then it is manufactured.
While the keys produced are accurate, the price difference attracts many to get their keys copied at Home Depot or Walmart instead of a Locksmith, especially if they want to create multiple copies and find success.
From our knowledge, we have seen that most people who have gone to a locksmith, potentially because of price, are most interested in copying high-security keys for certain purposes and not like house keys.
Conclusion
Key copying is quite common and almost everyone might have gone through this for many different reasons. Individuals may need to create a new copy when they have multiple people living in the same place, they get a broken key, or they have lost their keys.
There are several local areas that you can get a key copy that vary in price and accuracy. Home Depot is by far simply the easiest, cheapest, and most convenient area to go create a key copy.
You can also get almost all types of car keys copied, too. However, in some cases, high-security keys may impede you from creating a new copy since there may not be an appropriate blank match at Home Depot, etc.
While most of the population gets their keys copied from Home Depot, there are multiple times where the key copy did not work due to accuracy. However, with the low cost to copy the key, it did not seem to matter. Most places that get a key copied only need to pay $1.5, and get it completely within 5 minutes.