While rekeying a lock can be a straightforward process, there are some common challenges you might encounter: Damaging springs or other small components. Difficulty removing the cylinder plug. Incorrect measurement of new pins.
Most modern locks can be rekeyed, some more easily than others, often by your neighborhood hardware store. (I have even rekeyed locks myself.)
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.
Rekeying a lock is a common task for a locksmith, and this simple project only takes about 30 minutes to complete. The only tools you'll need to rekey your lock yourself are a rekey kit and the current key to the lock. This saves considerable money, especially when you need to access multiple locks with the same key.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Unlimited amount of times.
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.
Rekeying a lock is less expensive than replacing the whole unit. The cost to rekey is about $50 to $100 when you hire a pro or as little as $10 if you DIY. The cost to change a lock is $130 to $500, depending on the hardware you select.
Rekeying Deadbolt Locks
If the brand of lock is the same as the door knob, you can use the same rekeying kit. However, if they are different brands, you'll need to purchase the correct rekeying kit. Remove the deadbolt from the door and repin the same way you would a door knob.
Rekeying a lock can be done by a professional locksmith and does not require new locks but will provide you with new keys and the old keys will no longer work. If you have good quality locks on your doors that you want to keep, then rekeying is an excellent option.
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.
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. Depending on the manufacturer, some models feature self-rekeying technology that permits quick and simple rekeying using an included tool.
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.
Professional locksmiths have the necessary expertise and tools to rekey your car efficiently and accurately, preventing older keys from working the locks or removing worn wafers that can cause issues with the cylinder.
Schlage Rekeying Kits provide everything you need to get the job done—including all the tools and parts you need for repinning the cylinders of most Schlage locksets so that they work with a single key.
Keyed alike means one key fits all locks, for example your front and back door locks can both use the same key or every lock in an office can use the same key.
And all Kwikset pin & tumbler locks can be re-keyed to achieve convenient one-key operation across multiple locks. All you need is a Kwikset Re-keying Kit, a Kwikset key, and a pin & tumbler lock.