Rekeying changes the internal configuration of your existing lock so old keys stop working and a new key takes over, without replacing the hardware on…
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Rekeying changes the internal configuration of your existing lock so old keys stop working and a new key takes over, without replacing the hardware on your door. It is the standard move after moving in, losing keys, or parting ways with anyone who held a copy. When you call, we connect you with an independent local locksmith pro who inspects your locks and quotes you directly before any work begins. We never quote prices ourselves.
The pro removes the lock cylinder from your door hardware, disassembles it on a workbench or service vehicle, and replaces the internal components that define which key operates the lock. When reassembled, the cylinder accepts a freshly cut key and rejects every key that worked before. The pro then reinstalls the cylinder, cuts the number of new keys you request, and tests the lock through its full motion: key in, key out, latch, and deadbolt throw. A thorough pro also checks the door alignment and strike while working, since a binding deadbolt often gets blamed on the lock when the frame is the real issue. If you have several doors, the pro can typically key them all alike, so one new key operates the whole home. The visible hardware, its finish, and its feel stay exactly the same; only the key that controls it changes.
Rekey when the hardware is sound and the problem is who holds keys: you just bought or moved into a home, a roommate or partner moved out, a contractor or house sitter had a copy, or your keys were lost or stolen. Rekeying keeps good hardware in service, preserves the look of your door, and lets you consolidate multiple doors onto one key. Replace instead when the lock itself is the problem: mechanisms that stick or fail, visible damage from a break-in attempt, corrosion, discontinued hardware with no available parts, or locks rated at the low end of the ANSI/BHMA grading scale that you want to upgrade for durability. Replacement is also the path if you want different functionality entirely, such as moving to a smart lock or keypad. Many visits end up mixed: the pro rekeys the solid locks and recommends replacing only the ones that are worn out.
The count and variety of locks matter most. A single-family home with matching-brand knobs and deadbolts is straightforward; a property mixing several brands and keyways takes longer because each cylinder type disassembles differently and keying them all alike may require compatible components across brands. High-security cylinders with patented keyways involve restricted parts and additional steps, and some can only be rekeyed by pros authorized for that product line. Hardware condition adds time: corroded screws, painted-over cylinders, and worn internals slow careful disassembly. Lock grade plays a role too, since Grade 1 hardware under the ANSI/BHMA standard is built more robustly than Grade 2 or Grade 3 and can differ in servicing effort. Finally, keying everything alike, adding master-key arrangements for a landlord, or cutting a large batch of new keys expands the visit, all of which the pro folds into the direct quote before starting.
Be prepared to show photo ID and, if the address is not on your ID, something connecting you to the property such as a closing document, lease, or utility bill, because a responsible pro will not rekey locks for someone who cannot show a right to control them. Landlords rekeying a rental should have ownership or management documentation handy. Walk the property beforehand and count every lock you want changed, including side doors, garage entry doors, gates, and any padlocks, so the pro can quote the complete job at once. If you have any working keys, set them out; rekeying goes faster when the cylinder can be operated normally during removal. Decide how many copies of the new key you want and who should receive them. Mention any locks that stick, doors that must be lifted or pulled to lock, or keys that need jiggling, since those symptoms are worth diagnosing during the same visit.
The biggest one is skipping it entirely after moving into a new home. Sellers, previous tenants, agents, cleaners, and contractors may all have held copies, and no one can inventory them after the fact; rekeying on move-in day resets the count to zero. Another mistake is replacing perfectly good hardware because people do not realize rekeying exists, paying for new locks when only the keying needed to change. The reverse error happens too: rekeying a lock that is mechanically failing, which changes the key but keeps the failure. Some homeowners rekey the front door and forget the garage service door or back slider, leaving old keys live on secondary entrances. Do-it-yourself rekeying kits trip up many people on brand mismatches and reassembly, sometimes leaving a door unlockable at night. Finally, tenants sometimes rekey without checking the lease; many rental agreements require landlord notice or a copy of the new key.
LocksmithCallNow.com is a referral service, not a locksmith company. When you call, we connect you with an independent local locksmith pro who handles residential and small-property rekeying in your area. That pro examines your actual locks, tells you which can be rekeyed, which are keyed-alike candidates, and which are worn enough that replacement is the more sensible path, and then quotes you directly before any work begins. We never quote prices, because an honest rekeying quote depends on cylinder count, brands, keyway types, hardware condition, and how many new keys you want cut, none of which can be judged sight unseen. Independent pros set their own schedules, so rekeying can often be booked as a planned appointment rather than an emergency call, and combining it with a move-in date or tenant turnover is common. Your agreement, and the work itself, is directly between you and the pro.
| Factor | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Number of cylinders and doors | Each lock cylinder is disassembled and reconfigured individually, so the count of knobs, deadbolts, and auxiliary locks drives the labor more than any other factor. Walking the property and counting every lock before the pro arrives lets you receive one complete quote instead of discovering add-ons midway. |
| Rekey versus replace decisions | Sound hardware gets rekeyed; worn, damaged, or discontinued hardware is often better replaced. When a visit mixes both, the scope includes new hardware for some doors and rekeying for others. The pro assesses each lock and explains which path applies before quoting the combined job. |
| Lock brand mix and keyway compatibility | Keying every door alike is simple when locks share a brand and keyway, and more involved when they do not, since matching may require swapping cylinders or components. A home collected from several hardware generations often takes meaningfully more bench time than a uniform set. |
| High-security and restricted cylinders | Cylinders with patented keyways and restricted key control use controlled parts and additional procedures, and some product lines limit service to authorized pros. These systems offer stronger key control precisely because they resist casual copying, and that same control adds steps to legitimate rekeying. |
| Hardware grade and condition | Locks rated Grade 1 under the ANSI/BHMA standard are built more robustly than Grade 2 or Grade 3 hardware, and condition varies with age and weather exposure. Corroded fasteners, painted cylinders, and worn internals slow careful disassembly and can shift the recommendation toward replacement. |
| Scheduling and urgency | A planned rekeying appointment during business hours differs from an urgent same-night rekey after a theft or a contentious move-out. Independent pros set their own hours, and off-hours response generally carries different rates, which the pro states directly before you commit. |
Locksmith Call Now publishes no prices — the independent pro you're connected with quotes the job directly to you before any work begins.
Rekeying keeps your existing hardware and changes only the internal configuration so a new key works and old keys do not. Changing the locks means removing hardware and installing new. Rekeying suits sound hardware and key-control problems; replacement suits worn, damaged, or outdated locks.
Yes. Sellers, prior tenants, agents, contractors, and neighbors may hold copies you will never know about, and rekeying on move-in day resets key control completely. It is the single most common reason people book this service, and pros routinely schedule it around closing dates.
Usually. If your locks share a compatible brand and keyway, the pro can key them alike so one key runs the whole home. When brands differ, the pro may swap cylinders or components to achieve it, and will explain what your specific mix allows before quoting.
It helps but is not required. A working key speeds up cylinder removal; without one, the pro first regains access to the cylinder, favoring non-destructive approaches, then rekeys as usual. Mention a lost-key situation when you call so the pro arrives prepared for both steps.
We never quote prices. The honest answer depends on how many cylinders you have, brand and keyway mix, hardware condition, any high-security components, and how many new keys you want cut. The independent local pro inspects your locks and quotes you directly before any work begins.