Rekeying can be as low as $20 per cylinder. The cost per home can range from $100-$200 depending on how many locking doors you have. Because the hardware doesn't have to be replaced, the cost is much lower than replacing locks and deadbolts. Lock installation ranges anywhere from $85-$100 per hour.
The average homeowner spends around $150 to rekey a more complicated house lock like a profile cylinder or 3-point lock system and replace a set of keys. On the low end, homeowners pay $75 to repair a broken door lock. On the high end, having a locksmith replace a house lock and provide a set of keys costs $550.
Due to the extremely low price of the key pins in the locks, rekeying is almost always much cheaper than getting your locks changed. When rekeying your locks, you are only being charged for the labor, whereas when you get your locks changed, you're paying both for labor and parts.
As long as you have another copy of that key, you can successfully rekey the lock. (You need a copy of the current key to rekey a lock.) A single key: Homes with multiple entry points—front doors, back doors, garage doors, basement doors, etc.
A rekey service can take between 10 and 40 minutes per lock. Rekeying only applied to keyed security locks, and not to privacy locks found on bathroom and bedroom doorknobs. New lock installation or replacement can take 30-60 minutes per lock, which is one reason that lock replacement is more expensive.
Lock rekeying is the process of altering a lock's internal components to work with a new key while keeping the existing lock hardware. This involves changing the pins or wafers inside the lock cylinder, which are the parts that interact with the key to allow it to, or prevent it from, turning.
To rekey locks, you or a handyman professional have to remove the key cores from the locking hardware and replace them with lock patterns that match new keys. This sounds simple but actually is time-consuming and can get costly, as you have to pay for labor and buy new equipment.
Most Home Depot's have an associate on staff that can rekey door locks. Call your local Home Depot and make sure that the person that does the rekeying service is there before you arrive. Also there may be a charge for this service.
Lowes won't rekey an old lock you carry in, you have to buy it right there. ... unless you get an employee in a good mood that feels like helping. They use the 5 digit code on your key to know what pins to put in the lock.
Standard exterior door locks range from $15 to $50 per lock. If you're replacing multiple exterior locks you may want to consider a set that usually is priced between $60 to $200.
We can rekey your knobs or deadbolts whether you purchase your locksets from us or bring us your existing locks to be rekeyed. Typical Schlage or KwikSet locksets are easily rekeyed by our expert staff often while you wait but usually the same day.
Specialized Training and Skills
Locksmiths undergo extensive training to learn their trade. They must be skilled in working with all these various types of locks and security systems, from traditional mechanical locks to modern electronic key systems.
How often should you rekey your house? You should rekey your house every three years to minimize the chances of someone gaining access to your home. You can do it more than that, but it depends on the level of foot traffic and visitors you get.
The short answer to whether you should tip a locksmith is that it is not required, but it is appreciated. Unlike restaurant staff, locksmiths don't rely on tips to make up a bulk of their pay.
If you know the brand or keyhole style of your locks, you may be able to buy a lock rekeying kit from your local home hardware store. But while you might have the tools to change locks, rekeying them can require special—and expensive—tools. You can buy them as a kit, then follow the instructions.
Locksmiths charge $65 per hour, on average.
However, hourly rates range from $49-$125, depending on where you live and the locksmith you decide to hire. See which locksmiths are top-rated in your area.
Generally, it takes a professional locksmith between 10 and 40 minutes to rekey a lock. If you need multiple locks rekeyed, you'll want to plan accordingly as a locksmith is likely to require at least an hour for a job that requires more than one or two locks. The type of lock will impact the job.
Life Pro Tip - If you move into a new house or are just looking to replace locks on your doors, you can take your existing locks out of your doors and get them rekeyed at a hardware store (Home Depot or Lowes) for <$10. This works for most of the common lock manufacturers (Shlage or Kwikset).
Eligibility requirements and exclusions apply. See full terms for details. We can cut keys and re-key new locks you buy at Lowe's.
Yes, it is possible for you to rekey a lock without the original key. A locksmith can change your locks even if you have lost or misplaced the original key. In general, it is possible to pick or shim the lock and unlock the door. Then, the locksmith will have a much easier time removing the lock cylinder.
The type of service you require most affects locksmith costs. Duplicating a traditional key might cost as little as $5 while extracting a broken key from a lock could range from $50 to $200. Installing new electronic locks or replacing a high-tech car transponder key could cost $400 or more.
One cool thing about pin-and-tumbler locks is that you can re-configure them to fit an existing key (provided that the key is for the same lock design). The advantages of this are obvious: You can add new locks to your home or business without attaching a bunch of new keys to your key ring.
Rekeying is the least expensive method, but you will need to replace the entire lock if the only key to it goes missing.
Homeowners can now re-key door locks
The engineers at Kwikset have developed a new lock technology that allows homeowners to rekey their door locks on their own whenever they have the need.