Should You Rekey or Replace Your Locks? (The Honest Answer)

You just moved into a new place. Or you lost a key. Or an ex-roommate moved out. The question: do you rekey the existing locks or replace them entirely?

The answer is almost always simpler than people expect.

Rekeying: what it actually does

A lock has a series of spring-loaded pins inside the cylinder. The cut pattern of your key matches those pin heights exactly — that’s what allows the cylinder to rotate.

Rekeying replaces those pins with a new set that matches a new key pattern. The old key no longer works. The lock hardware stays exactly as-is.

Cost: $60–$100 per lock (plus a service call fee) Time: 15–20 minutes per lock, or 45–60 minutes for a whole house Result: All old keys become useless. You get new keys that work the same locks.

Replacing: when the hardware changes

Lock replacement means removing the existing deadbolt or knob lock and installing new hardware. This makes sense when:

• The existing lock is low quality and you want better security
• The lock is damaged, worn, or difficult to operate
• You want a smart lock upgrade
• The lock was drilled or broken into

Cost: $150–$300+ per lock (hardware + labor) Time: 30–60 minutes per lock Result: New lock, new keys, better (or smart) security

The practical decision tree

Just moved into a house or apartment: → Rekey. You don’t know who has copies of the current keys. Rekeying costs less than $200 for a full house and takes under an hour.

Lost a key (you still have at least one copy): → Rekey. The lost key is now useless, and you don’t need new hardware.

Ex-roommate, ex-partner, or security concern: → Rekey immediately. This is what rekeying was designed for.

The lock itself is broken or worn: → Replace. Rekeying a damaged lock is temporary; the hardware needs to go.

Moving from a basic lock to a smart lock: → Replace. Smart locks require their own hardware.

Landlord won’t rekey before you move in: → A locksmith can rekey your unit for $100–$200 out of pocket. Many states require landlords to provide new locks; check your state’s tenant laws.

Can you rekey to the same key as other locks?

Yes. This is called keying alike — a locksmith can rekey all your door locks (front door, back door, garage entry) to work on one key. If you currently have 3 different keys for 3 doors, a locksmith can make all three work on the same key pattern.

This is one of the most underrated locksmith services. It costs roughly the same as a standard rekey.

When is replacing actually worth it?

Upgrade scenarios where replacement makes sense:

Grade 1 vs Grade 3 deadbolts: Hardware stores sell Grade 3 deadbolts for $20. A locksmith-installed Grade 1 deadbolt (Schlage B60N or similar) runs $150–$200 installed and is meaningfully harder to pick, bump, or kick in.

Smart lock installation: If you want remote access, auto-lock, or keypad entry, you’ll need a replacement lock that supports it. Schlage Encode, August Pro, and Yale Assure are popular options that locksmiths install regularly.

After a break-in: A kicked-in door or drilled lock needs full replacement. The frame may also need reinforcement — a good locksmith will assess both.

Rekeying vs replacing: cost comparison

| | Rekeying | Replacing | |---|---|---| | Per lock (labor only, existing lock) | $60–$100 | N/A | | Per lock (hardware + labor, deadbolt upgrade) | N/A | $150–$300 | | Full house (3–4 locks) | $150–$250 | $400–$900+ | | Time on-site | 45–60 min | 2–3 hrs | | Security improvement | Same lock, new keys | Can upgrade grade |

For most situations where security is the concern but hardware is fine, rekeying is the right call. For hardware upgrades or smart lock installs, replacement.

Finding a locksmith for rekeying near you

Any residential locksmith can rekey your locks. On LockNear, you can find a verified locksmith near you, see their rekeying rates upfront, and have them at your door in 20–35 minutes.