Rekey Locks
Quick answer: Rekeying locks changes the internal pin configuration of your existing door hardware so old keys stop working and new keys are issued, without replacing the entire lock. This is typically the most cost-effective way to restore key control after moving, losing a key, or a security concern. Low Rate Locksmith is a licensed, bonded, 24/7 mobile locksmith serving residential customers at their location.
When you need to rekey locks at your home, the goal is straightforward: change the internal pin configuration of your existing cylinders so that old keys no longer work and new keys do. A rekey locks service is one of the most cost-effective ways to regain key control without replacing your entire hardware. Before you call, this page explains exactly what the service covers, what falls outside its scope, how pricing works cylinder by cylinder, and what to have ready so your technician visit goes smoothly.
What Rekey Locks Service IS — and What It Is NOT
What it is: A mobile locksmith arrives at your home, disassembles each lock cylinder on-site, replaces the internal key pins to match a new key, reassembles the cylinder, and hands you working keys. The exterior hardware — handles, deadbolts, trim — stays in place. You get a fresh key combination and peace of mind that previous keyholders are locked out.
What it covers:
- Standard pin-tumbler cylinders (knob locks, lever locks, single-cylinder deadbolts, double-cylinder deadbolts)
- SmartKey-compatible cylinders (Kwikset, Weiser) — when the current working key is available
- Keyed-alike service across multiple doors — only when all cylinders share the same keyway/brand (see limitations below)
- Two standard-cut keys per cylinder included with labor
What it is NOT / out of scope:
- Lock replacement. If you want entirely new hardware (different style, grade, or finish), that is a separate service with separate parts pricing.
- Electronic or smart-lock reprogramming. Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or keypad locks that don’t use a traditional pin-tumbler cylinder require reprogramming or factory reset — not a standard rekey.
- Non-serviceable cylinders. Builder-grade locks with riveted housings, some proprietary electronic lock cores, and certain high-security restricted-keyway cylinders cannot be field-rekeyed. These require cylinder or full-lock replacement, quoted before any work begins.
- Mailbox, garage, cabinet, or safe locks. These use different cylinder types and are handled under mailbox, garage & cabinet lock service or safe services.
- Damaged-door or frame repair. If a break-in has bent the frame or damaged the door, break-in repair addresses that scope before or alongside rekeying.
Who Rekey Locks Service Is FOR — and Who It Is NOT For
This service fits you if:
- You just moved into a home and don’t know how many copies of the old key exist.
- A roommate, ex-partner, or contractor had a key and you want to revoke access.
- You lost a key and want to ensure a found key can’t open your doors.
- You’re a landlord or property manager turning over a unit between tenants.
- Your existing hardware is in good condition and you simply need new key control.
This service may NOT be the right path if:
- Your locks are visibly damaged, rusted through, or failing to latch — replacement is likely more practical.
- You’re locked out right now with no key at all. You may first need a house lockout service to gain entry, after which rekeying can be discussed.
- You want to match all doors to one key but your locks are different brands with incompatible keyways (e.g., Kwikset and Schlage). Keying alike across mismatched keyways requires swapping cylinders or hardware — the technician will quote that option explicitly before proceeding.
- You have a SmartKey lock (Kwikset or Weiser) and the current working key is lost. Without the working key (or a special decoding process), a SmartKey cylinder often cannot be reset in the field and may need cylinder replacement instead.
How We Rekey Locks On-Site
- Verification & scope review. The technician confirms your identity or authorization, inspects every lock to be rekeyed, and identifies brand, keyway, and cylinder type.
- Compatibility check. If you’ve requested keyed-alike service, the technician verifies that all cylinders share a compatible keyway. Mismatched brands or restricted keyways are flagged, and alternative options (cylinder swap, hardware upgrade) are quoted before any work starts.
- Cylinder removal & disassembly. Each cylinder is removed from the door, the plug is extracted, and the existing key pins are dumped.
- Pin replacement & reassembly. New pins matching your new key cut are loaded, the cylinder is reassembled, and the lock is reinstalled on the door.
- Function test. Every rekeyed lock is tested from both sides of the door — locking, unlocking, and deadbolt throw — to confirm smooth, reliable operation.
- Key handoff. You receive two new standard keys per cylinder. Additional copies can be cut on-site at key duplication rates.
Rekey Locks Pricing — How It Works
Every rekey job has three transparent components. There is no single flat price — the total depends on how many cylinders you have and when you call.
Pricing Breakdown
- Service call / trip fee: $45 — covers travel and dispatch to your location. This applies to every visit.
- Per-cylinder rekey labor: $19–$29 per lock cylinder. A single door with a knob and a deadbolt counts as two cylinders.
- Keys included: 2 standard keys per cylinder are included in the per-cylinder rate.
- Extra keys: Additional copies are cut at standard duplication rates.
- After-hours adjustment: Calls outside normal business hours carry a higher per-cylinder rate within the ranges above.
- Complex / high-security cylinders: Medeco, Mul-T-Lock, restricted-keyway, or SmartKey cylinders requiring decoding are quoted explicitly before any work begins.
Example Estimates
| Scenario | Cylinders | Business-Hours Range | After-Hours Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front door (knob + deadbolt) | 2 | $83–$103 | $93–$125 |
| 3 exterior doors, avg. 2 cylinders each | 6 | $159–$219 | $189–$275 |
| 4 doors, mix of single & double cylinders (8 total) | 8 | $197–$277 | $237–$345 |
These ranges are illustrative. Your actual quote is confirmed on-site after cylinder count and type are verified. High-security or non-standard cylinders may increase the total; this is always discussed before work starts.
Real-World Rekey Locks Scenarios
1. New Homeowner, Full Rekey. You closed on a three-bedroom house yesterday. The seller, their agent, a cleaning crew, and who-knows-who-else had keys. The technician rekeys all four exterior doors (seven cylinders total) to a single new key, confirms every deadbolt throws smoothly, and hands you two fresh keys per cylinder. You schedule a home security assessment for the following week to evaluate the rest of your hardware.
2. Tenant Turnover for a Landlord. A property manager needs three apartment units rekeyed before new tenants move in this weekend. Each unit has a knob and deadbolt on the front door — six cylinders across all three units, keyed so each tenant gets a unique key. This is a routine scenario under property management locksmith service workflows.
3. Lost Key, Single Deadbolt. You dropped your only house key somewhere downtown. Because you still have access through the garage, you’re not locked out — you just need the front-door deadbolt rekeyed so the lost key becomes useless. One cylinder, two new keys, straightforward visit. If you’d been locked out entirely, a house lockout would come first.
4. Post-Break-In Security Upgrade. Someone forced open your back door. The frame has been repaired, but the deadbolt cylinder may have been damaged. The technician inspects it: if the cylinder is intact, it’s rekeyed; if it’s compromised, a replacement cylinder is quoted on-site. Meanwhile, the front door and side door are rekeyed as a precaution. The damaged entry point itself is addressed under break-in repair.
5. Broken Key Followed by Rekey. A key snapped inside your Schlage deadbolt. The technician first performs a broken key extraction, removes the fragment, and then rekeys the cylinder to a fresh key — since the broken key’s pattern should be retired anyway.
6. Mismatched Brands, Keyed-Alike Request. Your front door has a Kwikset deadbolt, but the back door uses a Schlage knob. You want one key for everything. The technician explains that these use incompatible keyways — keying them alike requires swapping at least one cylinder to match the other brand’s keyway. The cylinder swap is quoted as a separate parts line item, and once approved, both doors are rekeyed to a single new key.
7. SmartKey Lock with No Working Key. Your Kwikset SmartKey deadbolt can’t be reset because the previous owner never left the original key or reset tool. The technician attempts to decode the existing combination; if decoding isn’t feasible, a replacement SmartKey cylinder is quoted. Once the new cylinder is in place, you reset it to your own key. For additional copies afterward, key duplication is available on-site or at a later visit.
When to Call for a Rekey — and When to Stop
Call when:
- You need to invalidate existing keys — after moving, losing a key, ending a relationship, or firing a contractor.
- Your hardware is in good shape but you want fresh key control.
- You want multiple doors on one key (same brand/keyway).
Stop — this may not be us — when:
- High-security restricted keyways (Medeco M3, Abloy Protec, etc.) may require the original manufacturer’s authorization or a dealer with the restricted key blank. The technician will identify this on-site and advise the correct path.
- USPS cluster mailbox locks are federal property. Only USPS-authorized personnel can service them. For privately owned mailbox locks, see mailbox, garage & cabinet locks.
- Safe locks use entirely different mechanisms. If you need a safe rekeyed or opened, safe opening is the appropriate service.
- Sliding glass door locks typically use latch or bar mechanisms rather than pin-tumbler cylinders. See sliding glass door lock repair for that scope.
- Code/egress compliance projects — multi-family buildings with fire-code egress or master-key system requirements may need a site survey and system design rather than a simple rekey visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this service cover?
A standard rekey covers the disassembly and re-pinning of traditional pin-tumbler lock cylinders on your home’s exterior doors. It includes two new standard keys per cylinder. It does not cover lock replacement, electronic reprogramming, or non-standard cylinder types without an explicit quote.
What affects the quote?
The main drivers are the number of cylinders (each knob and each deadbolt is one cylinder), cylinder type (standard vs. SmartKey vs. high-security), whether you need keyed-alike service across matching keyways, the number of extra keys beyond the included two, and whether the call falls during or outside business hours.
What should I have ready?
Have a valid ID or proof of residency/authorization available. If your locks are SmartKey-compatible, locate the current working key and the SmartKey reset tool if you have one — without these, the process may require cylinder replacement instead. Know how many exterior doors and cylinders you need rekeyed so the technician can confirm scope on arrival.
How do I confirm the right service path?
When you call, describe your situation: how many doors, whether you have a working key, the lock brand if you know it, and whether you’re locked out. The dispatcher can help determine if you need a rekey, a lockout service first, or a different service path entirely. If anything changes on-site — like discovering a non-serviceable cylinder — your technician quotes the adjusted scope before proceeding.
Call Low Rate Locksmith — (833) 439-8636
Available 24/7 with mobile dispatch. A $45 service call fee applies to every visit (this covers travel and dispatch — it is not a free trip). Per-cylinder rekey rates and any additional parts are confirmed on-site before work begins. No time guarantees are made — dispatch availability depends on your area and current demand.
Call (833) 439-8636 to describe your situation, confirm cylinder count, and schedule your rekey visit.