Locksmiths
Rekey or replace your locks?
For most new homeowners, rekeying is the right move. A locksmith swaps the small pins inside each lock cylinder so the old keys stop working, and you keep the same hardware. It usually costs less than replacing, and compatible locks can all be set to one key. Replace instead when a lock is worn, damaged, or you want stronger or different hardware.
You just signed a stack of papers and someone handed you a ring of keys. Congratulations. Now think about who else has a copy. The previous owners, maybe their grown kids, a dog walker, a cleaner, the contractor who redid the bathroom three years ago, a neighbor who watered the plants. You'll never know the full list. Most new owners assume that means buying new locks. Usually, all it means is rekeying.
What rekeying actually does
Most home door locks are pin tumbler locks. Inside the cylinder, the part your key slides into, sits a row of tiny spring-loaded pins in different lengths. When the right key goes in, its cuts lift each pin to exactly the height where the cylinder can turn. Any other key leaves at least one pin in the way.
To rekey, a locksmith removes the cylinder, takes out the old pins, and puts in a new set cut to match a new key. The lock looks and works exactly as it did. The old keys, every copy of them floating around town, now simply don't turn.
Because you're paying for a few pins and some labor instead of new hardware, rekeying usually costs less than replacing, often much less on a house with several doors. The exception is very inexpensive hardware, where a new lock can cost about the same as the labor to repin it. A good locksmith will tell you when that's the case.
Rekey or replace: how to decide
| Your situation | Usually | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Just moved in, locks work fine | Rekey | You only need to cancel the old keys |
| Lost keys, or a roommate or ex moved out | Rekey | Same reason, same hardware |
| You want one key for every door | Rekey, if the locks are compatible | Same-brand locks can often be keyed alike |
| Lock is sticky, loose, or hard to turn | Replace | Worn parts don't get better with new pins |
| Damaged in a break-in attempt | Replace, and check the frame | A bent bolt or cracked jamb is the real weak spot |
| You want a stronger deadbolt, a smart lock, or a new finish | Replace | That's a hardware upgrade, not a key change |
A general guide. A locksmith who sees the locks in person can tell you which ones are worth keeping.
The one-key question
Plenty of houses end up with a front door from one brand, a back door from another, and a garage entry lock from a third. Different brands often use different key shapes, called keyways, so they can't always share a key. A locksmith can sometimes fit a compatible cylinder, or suggest replacing just the odd lock out so the rest can be rekeyed to match. Ask about it when you call. One key on the ring is a small luxury you'll appreciate every day.
When new hardware is worth it
If you're replacing anyway, a few details matter more than the brand name on the box:
- The grade. Residential locks are often rated Grade 1, 2 or 3 under a common industry standard, with Grade 1 the toughest. The packaging usually says.
- The strike plate and screws. Many break-ins defeat the door frame, not the lock. Long screws that reach the wall framing behind the jamb make a big difference.
- A real deadbolt on every exterior door. A knob lock alone is easy to force.
- Key control, if it matters to you. Restricted keys can't be copied at a hardware store. The tradeoffs are covered in our page on high-security locks.
Thinking about keypad or app locks instead? Those change what you manage from keys to codes, and they depend heavily on the door being in good shape. Our piece on smart lock installs walks through what to ask first.
Your new-home key checklist
- Count your keyed cylinders. Front deadbolt and knob, back door, the door from the garage into the house, side doors, sheds and gates. Many homes have more than people think.
- Book the rekey for moving week. Before the furniture arrives is ideal, while doors are easy to reach.
- Change the garage keypad code. And check your opener manual for how to clear old remotes from its memory. A garage remote is a house key for many homes.
- Reset alarm and smart lock codes. Former owners and their service providers may still know them.
- Look for hidden spares. Under mats, in fake rocks, on top of door frames. Remove them, since they'll soon be useless and easy to misplace.
- Ask about the mailbox. Shared cluster mailboxes are often handled through the local post office or the HOA, not a locksmith. Check who handles yours.
Choose carefully: anyone changing your locks is also deciding who gets into your home. Use a local locksmith with a real business name, a marked vehicle and a clear price before work starts, and expect them to ask for proof that you own or rent the place. Our guide to spotting a legit locksmith lists the warning signs.
For locksmiths: sharing this with customers
Almost every new homeowner in your area is an easy yes for a rekey. Most just don't know the option exists, so they either spend more on new hardware or do nothing at all. Send this page to anyone who calls asking about new locks, and let them decide with the facts in front of them.
Then go where the new owners are. Real estate agents, closing attorneys and title offices meet every buyer in town, and many like handing over a useful referral at closing. Offer them a simple per-house rekey price they can pass along, and do the first few jobs perfectly. Moving season is when those referrals stack up, and a clean handoff of new keys is also the natural moment to ask for a review.
Common questions
Can I rekey my own locks?
Some newer residential locks have a built-in rekey feature that lets you set them to a new key yourself, using the current working key and a small tool, by following the maker's instructions. Traditional pin locks need pinning kits and practice, and a mistake can leave you with a lock that won't turn. Most people find a locksmith faster and cheaper overall.
Will a locksmith ask me to prove I own the house?
A careful one will. Expect to show ID with the address, closing papers, a deed or a lease before anyone changes the locks. It can feel like a hassle on moving day, but it's the same check that stops a stranger from getting keys to your home. Have the paperwork handy when they arrive.
How long does rekeying a house take?
It depends on how many locks there are and whether they're in good shape. A typical house with a few exterior doors is often a job of an hour or so once the locksmith arrives. Worn or stuck cylinders, mixed brands, or a request to key everything alike can add time.
Should renters rekey or change the locks?
Check your lease and your state's landlord and tenant rules first. Many leases require the landlord's permission and a copy of the new key. Some states require landlords to rekey between tenants. Ask the landlord in writing whether it was done, and request it if it wasn't.