Master Key Systems and Rekeying for San Mateo Apartments — A Week in the Life of a Commercial Locksmith in Albuquerque

At Just In Time Locksmith, we take pride in being more than just a mobile locksmith service — we’re trusted partners to Albuquerque’s businesses and property managers. This week, we had the opportunity to demonstrate that commitment by completing a full commercial rekey and master key setup for a large apartment complex located right off San Mateo Blvd.

Whether it’s a small office or a multi-unit housing complex, commercial locksmith services require a high level of expertise, precision, and reliability. Here's a behind-the-scenes look at how we handle complex commercial security jobs — and why Albuquerque businesses continue to count on us.

🔐 Rekeying 100+ Locks in One Go

This particular apartment building houses over 100 units, along with office spaces, laundry rooms, and several utility areas. Our job? Rekey every door, create a master key system, and make sure the transition was smooth and secure for both tenants and staff.

For context, rekeying is the process of changing the internal configuration of a lock so that old keys no longer work. It’s a common choice for landlords after tenant turnover or for businesses seeking tighter access control.

We arrived early Monday morning, fully equipped with the tools, key pins, blanks, and hardware necessary to tackle a job of this scale without delays. Working closely with the building’s property manager, we developed a phased plan to ensure minimal disruption to residents while maintaining building security throughout the process.

🔑 Building a Master Key System

One of the highlights of this project was the custom master key system. A properly implemented master key system allows property managers to use a single key for all locks while individual tenants retain access only to their own units.

We created three tiers of access:

Master Key (MK): Access to all units, maintenance rooms, and office areas

Sub-Master Key (SMK): Limited to specific floors and maintenance spaces

Change Keys: Tenant-specific keys that only open individual units

Master keying takes precision — each lock must be pinned to recognize multiple levels of access. We carefully mapped out every lock cylinder using a custom pinning chart, triple-checked bitting sequences, and hand-cut each key to ensure perfect function. All keys were tested onsite before handing over to management.

🛠 Why Commercial Rekeying Matters

Security isn't just about locking doors — it's about controlling who has access and when. Rekeying is one of the most cost-effective ways to improve building security without replacing all the hardware. It’s especially crucial for:

Apartment turnovers

Lost or stolen keys

Staff changes

Access upgrades

In this case, the property manager had recently changed staff and wanted to eliminate any risk of unauthorized access. Our rekeying ensured that only current staff and tenants had valid keys, providing peace of mind and legal protection.

⚡ Fast Turnaround, Zero Compromises

The entire job took four days from start to finish. We rekeyed over 100 locks, built a fully functional master key system, and provided detailed documentation to management for future reference.

Here’s what the property manager had to say:

“We were on a tight deadline, and Just In Time knocked it out of the park. Fish and the team were professional, efficient, and knew exactly what we needed. We’ll definitely be using them again.”

🧰 Trust Just In Time for Your Commercial Locksmith Needs

If you're managing an apartment complex, office space, or retail property in Albuquerque, you need a locksmith who understands commercial security inside and out. At Just In Time Locksmith, we offer:

Rekeying & key duplication

Master key systems

Lock repair & installation

Access control upgrades

24/7 emergency services

We work with apartment managers, real estate professionals, office admins, and business owners across San Mateo Blvd, Central Ave, Montgomery, and beyond.

📞 Ready to Secure Your Property?

Whether you need a one-time rekey or ongoing commercial locksmith support, Just In Time Locksmith is here to help.

📍 Serving Albuquerque and surrounding areas

📞 Call us at 505-818-0720

🌐 Visit us at abqjustintimelocksmith.com