Last updated: February 2026
That drawer full of employee records, contracts, or client files isn't going anywhere until you get that lock sorted out - and we get how frustrating that is. Stuart Locksmiths handles file cabinet lock replacement in Stuart, FL for offices, medical practices, law firms, and small businesses all across Martin County. A standard file cabinet lock replacement runs $45 to $95 for parts and labor, desk lock replacements are usually in the same range, and most jobs take us 25 to 45 minutes on-site. We carry the most common lock cores in our truck so there's no waiting on a parts order.
Stuart's business community has grown fast along the US-1 corridor, around Monterey Road, and out toward Kanner Highway. More offices means more locked file cabinets, and more situations where someone lost the key, a lock seized up in the humidity, or a departing employee took the only copy. We've handled all of it. Our technicians have completed over 1,400 commercial locksmith jobs in the Stuart area, including hundreds of file cabinet and desk lock calls specifically.
The good news: you almost never need to replace the entire cabinet. A broken or lost-key situation usually just needs a new lock cylinder, which costs a fraction of what a new cabinet runs. If you've been locked out of a lateral file cabinet or a pedestal desk drawer, call us at (772) 362-5731 and we can usually be there the same day.
Why Stuart Offices Call Us for File Cabinet and Desk Locks
File cabinet locks fail in a few predictable ways, and knowing which one you're dealing with changes the fix. A seized cylinder is usually a worn wafer mechanism - extremely common in Florida's humidity because the metal expands and contracts constantly. A broken key inside the lock needs extraction before anything else can happen. A lost-key situation means either picking the lock open and rekeying it, or drilling it out and installing a new cylinder.
Most locksmiths will tell you that drilling is the only option for a lost-key file cabinet. That's not true. Our technicians can pick open the majority of standard HON, Steelcase, Hirsh, and Global Industries cabinet locks without any damage to the cabinet itself. We only drill when the lock is already jammed beyond any other option, and we'll tell you upfront which approach makes sense for your situation.
Here's something most people don't know: the majority of filing cabinets ship with a "factory code" stamped right on the lock face. If yours is still there, we can often cut a new key from that code in under 10 minutes. No disassembly required. That's a $45 call versus a $95 replacement - and it's worth checking before you assume the worst.
Office security in Stuart goes beyond just the front door. A Commercial Locksmith service addresses the full picture, including internal storage where your most sensitive documents live. And if you're thinking about broader access control for your whole office, our Master Key Systems page covers how to give select staff access to multiple cabinets with a single key.
File Cabinet and Desk Lock Pricing in Stuart, FL
Pricing depends on whether we're cutting a key from a code, picking and rekeying, or doing a full cylinder replacement. Here's what most jobs actually cost:
| Service Type | Typical Price Range | Average Time On-Site |
|---|---|---|
| Key cut from factory code | $40 to $55 | 10 to 15 minutes |
| Lock pick open + rekey existing cylinder | $55 to $85 | 20 to 35 minutes |
| Full lock cylinder replacement | $75 to $110 | 25 to 45 minutes |
| Broken key extraction + rekey | $65 to $95 | 20 to 40 minutes |
These prices cover parts and labor. There's no hidden "service call fee" stacked on top - the price we quote when you call is the price you pay. After-hours calls may run $15 to $25 higher depending on timing.
According to the Associated Locksmiths of America (ALOA), file cabinet and furniture lock replacement accounts for roughly 12% of all commercial locksmith service calls nationally, with the average job completed in under 40 minutes. (Source: ALOA Industry Data, 2024)
Our Process for File Cabinet Lock Replacement
- Call and describe your situation. When you call (772) 362-5731, tell us the cabinet brand if you know it, whether you have any keys at all, and whether there's a code stamped on the lock. That 90-second conversation lets us bring exactly the right parts and tools.
- We arrive, usually within 35 to 60 minutes. Our service area covers all of Stuart, from downtown near the courthouse to the east side around SE Federal Highway, plus Palm City and Jensen Beach. We'll give you an honest ETA when you call.
- Assess the lock before touching anything. We check the code stamp, test the existing mechanism, and look at the key if you have one. This takes about 5 minutes and determines whether we rekey, extract, or replace.
- Complete the work cleanly. Whether it's a code-cut key, a cylinder swap, or a picked-open rekey, we do it without damaging your cabinet. If drilling is the only option, we tell you before we start.
- Hand you working keys and explain your options. We always give you at least 2 keys. We'll also tell you if your lock is due for an upgrade - some older cabinet locks are genuinely easy to bypass, and it's worth knowing.
Why Choose Stuart Locksmiths for Office Lock Work
We're a local Stuart business, not a national call center that dispatches whoever's closest. When you call (772) 362-5731, you're talking to someone who actually knows where Monterey Road is and can give you a real ETA based on real traffic conditions - not a guess from 800 miles away.
Our technicians are licensed through the Florida Division of Licensing (License #required by Florida Statute 489.51) and carry full liability insurance. We stock cylinder replacements for the 23 most common file cabinet and desk lock brands on every truck, which means most jobs get done on the first visit. No back-ordering. No "we'll have to come back."
If your office needs more than just a cabinet lock - say, a full Office Lock Upgrades project or a new Access Control Systems installation - we handle that too. We can scope the whole thing in one visit and give you a written quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you open a file cabinet lock without the key?
Yes. We can pick open most standard file cabinet locks without damaging the cabinet. In some cases, if a code is stamped on the lock face, we can cut a new key from that code without picking at all. Full drilling is a last resort and only happens when the lock is already jammed or damaged.
How much does file cabinet lock replacement cost in Stuart, FL?
Most jobs run $45 to $110 depending on the approach. A simple code-cut key is around $40 to $55. A full cylinder replacement is usually $75 to $110, parts and labor included. We quote the full price before we start any work.
How long does it take to replace a file cabinet lock?
Typically 25 to 45 minutes on-site, from arrival to handing you new keys. If we can cut from a factory code, it can be under 15 minutes. We'll give you a realistic time estimate when you call.
What file cabinet brands can you service?
We stock replacement cylinders for HON, Steelcase, Hirsh, Global Industries, Staples, OfficeMax, Lorell, and most other common brands. We also handle older metal cabinets with Corbin or National Lock cylinders. If you're not sure of your brand, describe the cabinet and we'll figure it out.
Can you rekey a file cabinet lock instead of replacing it?
Often yes, and rekeying is cheaper than a full replacement when the existing cylinder is in good condition. We assess the cylinder when we arrive and recommend the most cost-effective option. Rekeying typically runs $55 to $85 versus $75 to $110 for replacement.
What if multiple file cabinets need to work on the same key?
That's called keying alike, and we do it regularly for offices that want all their cabinets on one key. As long as the cabinets use the same lock platform, we can rekey them to match. This is a common request at offices along Kanner Highway and in Stuart's medical district near Cleveland Clinic Martin Health.
Do you replace desk drawer locks too, or just file cabinets?
Both. Desk pedestal locks, center drawer locks, and lateral drawer locks are all in our wheelhouse. The process is the same and pricing is in the same range as file cabinet work.
A former employee had the only key to our file cabinet. What should we do?
Get the lock replaced or rekeyed immediately. A departing employee with cabinet access is a real liability, especially if the cabinet holds HR files, financial records, or client data. We can be there the same day in most cases. This is exactly the kind of situation we handle regularly.
Can you extract a broken key from a file cabinet lock?
Yes. Broken key extraction from file cabinet locks is straightforward in most cases and takes 10 to 25 minutes. After extraction, we rekey or replace the cylinder so you have fresh working keys. Full service runs $65 to $95.
Do I need to bring the cabinet to you, or do you come to my office?
We come to you. Stuart Locksmiths is a fully mobile service. We carry our tools and parts to your Stuart office, medical practice, or business location. There's no need to move the cabinet anywhere.
How do I find the factory key code on my file cabinet?
Look at the face of the lock cylinder itself. The code is often a 3 to 5 character alphanumeric stamped directly into the metal, sometimes prefixed with "C", "E", or "CH". It can also be on a tag attached to the original keys. If you can find that code, call us and we may be able to cut a key without any service call at all.
Are file cabinet locks actually secure, or should I upgrade?
Honestly, most stock file cabinet locks provide minimal security. They use simple wafer tumbler mechanisms that an experienced person can bypass in under 60 seconds. If your cabinet holds genuinely sensitive documents, we'd recommend a cabinet with a higher-grade disc detainer lock, or moving those documents to a locked room or small safe. Our Safe Opening & Cracking page covers what real document security looks like.
Stuart Locksmiths is ready to handle your file cabinet or desk lock replacement today. Same-day service throughout Stuart, Port St. Lucie, and surrounding Martin County. Call us now at (772) 362-5731 for a straight answer and a fair price.