When to Rekey Locks at Home. Choosing when to rekey locks for your home is different from that of a business. For residential homes, locks should be changed at least every three years. Of course, there are certain situations in which you should rekey your locks immediately.
If you move into a new home or if your key is lost or stolen, rekeying your lock will almost always suffice. If your lock mechanism is beginning to deteriorate, however, consider changing the lock. You can swap it with a like model and even maintain the same set of keys.
It is usually cheaper to rekey the existing door hardware than to completely replace it. A lock rekey is great if you already like your current door knob and want a cost effective safety solution. Rekeying your hardware is a simple way to keep your home and work place safe and secure.
Yes, the original key is necessary to use a rekey kit when rekeying a lock. If you do not have the original key, you can choose to hire a locksmith to make a new key or you can replace the lock.
Rekeying a lock generally takes about 15 minutes, but this depends on the type of lock as well as the skills of the person working on it. The most time-consuming part of the process is removing the lock from the door – the actual rekeying is much simpler. If it's simple, should you rekey your lock yourself?
You can re-key a lock like a pro at a fraction of the cost. Re-keying kits are available for most lock brands but they're not interchangeable. You must buy a kit for each brand of lock in your home. (If you're lucky, they'll all be the same brand!)
Changing the locks (also referred to as rekeying the locks) on a new home is always a good idea, since you really can't be sure who has access to the property otherwise. The phrase for this is key control, which refers to the ability to be able to account for each of the keys to your home and who has them.
How many times can I re-key my lock? Unlimited amount of times. All you need is the Smarkey Security tool.
Lock mechanisms can get dirty and worn down over time, which leaves them vulnerable to break-ins. Rekeying older locks is a great way to decrease the chances of successful tampering. You've Lost Your Keys: If you've lost your keys, rekeying your locks is paramount to the continued safety of your home.
Having your locks keyed alike is very beneficial if you want to open & close all your door locks with one key.
We rekey Kwikset and Schlage locks at a fraction of the price of having to replace your locksets. We can also create a 'master key' for superintendents or landlords that need access to multiple units without carrying a hundred keys. We also key Masterlock padlocks to an existing Masterlock key.
If your deadbolt requires a separate key from your entry doorknob, you can rekey it if they are the same brand. To rekey the deadbolt, remove it from the door and repin as you do a doorknob. Make sure the bolt is out and remove the screws holding the deadbolt to the door.
Having a spare key made for your friends and family members will help them access your home when you are not around. We understand that in this fast-paced world everyone will be on the go and you can't keep notified your loved ones about your whereabouts.
When you move into a new home, you should change the locks on your house. You have no idea how many copies of the house keys are floating around out there from the previous homeowners, so changing the locks will keep your new house more secure. Tom recommends changing the locks whenever a new home is purchased.
To do this, locks throughout your home need to be the same brand or have the same type of keyholes to rekey. Before calling your locksmith, you can test this out by trying your keys in the locks you want rekeyed to see if they have the same keyholes. If they slide right in, you're good to rekey.
Some disadvantages to smart locks include:
It might be frustrating for some workers to have an additional task added to their day. Your smartphone might run out of battery, break, or become damaged. If this happens, you will need to contact a smart lock company for a replacement smartphone and a new smart lock code.
Cost to Rekey Locks
change the locks, consider whether you'd like to keep your existing lock system. If so, you can stick to rekeying. Rekeying is a fast and affordable option, taking an average of 15 minutes to rekey each lock without entirely replacing the locks. You can expect to pay $80 to $150 for this service.
Benefits of a Single Key
When purchasing more than one lock, look for packages that have the same “key alike” number on the package. Alternatively, our store associates can key all of your locks to work with the same key. You can also purchase a rekeying kit to swap out pins and springs yourself.
Whenever safety and security are at risk, we recommend changing the locks or having the locks rekeyed. The most common situations requiring the locks to be changed include: When you have purchased a new house.
All SmartKey cylinders feature ANSI Grade 1 security, are bump-proof and highly pick resistant while also passing the most stringent security standards, UL 437, par 11.6 & 11.7.
Installation and Labor
According to HomeAdvisor, a professional locksmith charges an hourly fee between $50 and $100 to change a lock, or $75 per hour on average. Other locksmiths may charge per project based on the number of locks, type of locks, and complexity of the installation process.
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.
Schlage locks with a cylinder, whether a mechanical lock or smart lock, can be keyed alike or rekeyed according to your needs.
Bump keys are specially cut keys that can bypass the security mechanisms built into traditional pin and tumbler locks. Bump keys are also referred to as “999 keys” because all of their ridges are cut to the maximum depth (999) in a key-making machine.