Just moved into a new place? Lost your keys somewhere along the way? You’re probably wondering if you need to replace all your locks or if there’s another option.
Most people automatically think “replacement” but don’t realize rekeying exists. It costs less, takes less time, and in most situations, it’s all you really need.
How Rekeying Works
A locksmith changes the pins inside your existing lock so your old keys don’t work anymore. You get new keys, but your hardware stays exactly the same. That’s it.
It’s like resetting a password. The account is the same, but the old login stops working.
What Happens When You Replace a Lock
This one’s simple. Your entire lock gets removed and a brand new one goes in its place. New knob, new deadbolt, new everything.
It costs more because you’re paying for new parts plus the labor to install them. It also takes longer since there’s more work involved.
How Much Does It Cost to Rekey vs. Replace Your Locks?
| Factor | Rekeying | Replacing |
| Average Cost Per Lock | $25-$40 | $75-$250+ |
| Time Required | 10-15 minutes | 30-45 minutes |
| New Keys | Yes | Yes |
| New Hardware | No | Yes |
| Best For | Budget and speed | Upgrades and style changes |
For a typical house with six locks, you’re looking at $150-$240 for rekeying versus $450-$900+ for replacement. That difference adds up.
The cost to rekey a house sits right in that $25-$40 per lock range, though it can vary based on your lock type and how many you need done.
When Rekeying Makes More Sense
You just bought a house.
This is huge. You don’t know who has copies of your keys. The previous owners might have given keys to neighbors, contractors, house cleaners, or pet sitters over the years. Most people don’t think about rekeying locks after buying a house, but it gives you a clean slate without spending a fortune.
Taking over a rental property? Same deal. You need to know exactly who can get inside.
You lost a key.
Maybe it fell out of your pocket, or you’re not sure where you left it. Either way, that key is out there somewhere. Rekeying makes it useless.
A tenant moved out.
Landlords deal with this constantly. You can’t ask for every copy back, and you can’t know if they made extras. A rekey solves the problem fast.
You want one key for everything.
Tired of juggling different keys for your front door, back door, and garage? If you’re dealing with this situation, getting your locks rekeyed to match means everything works with the same key.
When You Need New Locks
Your locks are broken or old.
Sticky locks, rust, or mechanisms that don’t turn right are security problems. Old locks are easier to break into and more likely to fail at the worst time.
You want better security.
Some locks just do more. High-security locks resist picking and drilling better than standard ones. Smart locks let you lock and unlock from your phone. These require new hardware.
You’re updating your home’s look.
Remodeling and want to match your new style? Replacement lets you change finishes, switch from knobs to levers, or go modern.
The Thing People Get Wrong About Rekeying
A lot of folks think rekeying is somehow less secure than replacement. Not true. Both give you the same security benefit, and nobody with the old keys can get in. The difference is just about the condition of your hardware.
A rekeyed lock works just as well as a new one, as long as the mechanism itself is still in good shape.
Making the Call for Your Situation
If your locks work fine and you just need different keys, rekey. It’s cheaper to rekey or replace locks only if you need new hardware.
If your locks are falling apart or you’re upgrading your security setup, then replacement makes sense.
When should I rekey my locks? Anytime you need to control who has access. New home, lost keys, new tenants, or just wanting to consolidate everything to one key.
For most people dealing with standard home security situations, rekeying handles it. You’re not paying for parts you don’t need, and you get the same peace of mind.
If you’re not sure what your specific situation calls for, most residential locksmiths can look at your current setup and give you an assessment of whether you need rekeying or replacement.
You can also reach out with questions about your particular locks and get a straight answer about what makes sense.