Homeowners most often rekey a door lock when the same lock needs to be used with a new key, or when the original key is lost or stolen. Changing a lock, on the other hand, involves replacing the entire locking mechanism with a new one. A locksmith swaps out the full lock assembly in the door for a new one.
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.
Rekeying Your Locks
Some locksmiths may tell you that you should change your locks. But in many cases, you can just rekey them, which means changing the existing lock system so a new key operates it. A locksmith simply replaces the tumblers and pins to create a lock that can be opened by a brand-new key.
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!)
The main purpose of rekeying is to re-establish key control. Who has keys to your home or business? Basically, any time there is a change of ownership or possession of a property, the locks should be rekeyed.
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.
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?
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.
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.
While you get the keys to your new home at the closing, you can't know how many copies of the keys the previous owners had made and how many might still be floating around. That's why it's important to have the locks changed out.
Although there are many different types of locks, today we're going to talk about rekeying a pin and tumbler lock. This is the most common and one of the easiest types of locks to rekey aside from old-school locks.
Pick the key you like the best (or have the most of) and have all the other knobs keyed to it. Remove the locks that need to be rekeyed and take them to a locksmith or a hardware store. Bring a key that works each of the locks and the key you want all the locks keyed to and give us five minutes a lock.
Most locksmiths advise that a door lock should be changed once every seven years.
You'll pay from $40 to $300 to buy a new door lock, depending on design, materials, and whether it's a simple key-in-knob lock or a high-end lock-and-handle combo with smart technology features. Professional locksmith installation can add another $80 to $200, depending on the complexity of the lock.
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. Having your locks keyed alike is very beneficial if you want to open & close all your door locks with one key.
Do you have too many keys to get into your house? For $10.00 each, our qualified staff will rekey your Schlage, Kwikset, or Ace brand doorknob or deadbolt. If you have a newer Kwikset lock it may use SmartKey technology, which makes re-keying quick and easy. We'll gladly show you how to rekey those locks for free!
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.
In most cases, all you need to replace a deadbolt is a Philips head screw driver. If you are trying to install a deadbolt in a door that does not already have one, the process is more complicated, and requires the use of drills, chisels or other tools.
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.
Am I limited to how many times a SmartKey lock can be re-keyed? A: No, you can re-key a SmartKey lock as often as you'd like.
Yes, a higher price can ensure a higher quality of the lock's material and the mechanism itself. In this way, your lock will have a much higher resistance level than a cheap door lock. In addition, even the appearance of a higher-quality and cost-effective door lock can cause thieves to bypass your door.
Since they don't contain dials, keyed locks offer a superior level of security when compared to combination locks. Unless a thief has the key, he or she won't be able to open it. Furthermore, keyed locks are better protected against shimming than combination locks.
The Benefits Of A Locksmith
A major convenience of hiring a licensed and registered professional locksmith is convenience. Not only will the locksmith have the know-how of getting you back into your home or vehicle as quickly as possible, but they will also already possess the tools necessary for the job.