Locked out of your car or home? Need to rekey your house? Here’s how much a locksmith costs and what you need to know before calling one.
Which Is Better: Rekeying vs. Changing Locks?
Looking to change or rekey? Learn how to keep your locks on lock
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Photo: Valentyn Semenov / EyeEm / EyeEm / Getty Images
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Your lock is your first line of defense when it comes to your home's security. Whether you just moved into a new house or have been in your home for a decade, it may be time for a professional locksmith to rekey or change your locks. But what’s the difference, and which route should you take?
Angi Tip
Changing a door lock can be difficult to DIY and damage the door's structure if not done correctly. For the best results, we recommend contacting a local pro.
When to Rekey Your Locks
Rekeying is a quick way to upgrade your current locks, depending on the type of deadbolt you have. If you have a quality lock that works well, rekeying it is your best option.
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 with a brand-new key. The locksmith can also check on the lock’s condition and add lubrication to maintain your lock. Are you planning to rekey your locks? You’re likely stuck in one of the following situations.
Locks That Require Multiple Keys
Lighten the load on your keychain and eliminate confusion by rekeying every lock to the same key. 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.
Moving
After moving into a new home, you don’t know who else has a key to your door. Ensure that only you and your family have access to your new home by having your doors rekeyed.
Lost Key
You lost a key, and you’re worried someone may find it and use it to access your home. If that’s the case, it’s best to start fresh with a new set of keys.
Concierge Services Change
You are changing concierge services, like housekeepers, babysitters, or pet sitters, who have a copy of your house key.
Rekeying Lock Cost
When rekeying your locks, you pay primarily for the labor, not the parts, which makes it more affordable than changing out the lock completely. The cost of rekeying can range from $50 to $100 on average.
Make sure you have the old key. The locksmith can always pick your lock, but that will cost extra.
Changing Your Locks
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When you change your locks, a local locksmith installs an entirely new lock with a new key. This service is pricier than having your locks rekeyed, as you are paying for not just the locksmith's labor but also the hardware of a whole new locking system. Changing your locks costs around $75 per hour.
Reasons You Should Change Your Locks
Are you considering changing your lock? Use this guide to determine whether it’s time to change locks.
Changing the Look
Your home’s locks are a relatively easy feature to change if you want to upgrade their look. For example, if you are changing up the metal hardware throughout your home and want a more cohesive look.
Switching to a Keyless Lock System
If you’re ready to upgrade your home security system to include a modern keyless lock system, you’ll need to change your locks. Follow the lock system’s guidelines for DIY installation or hire a pro to tackle the task.
Upgrading to a Master Key System
If your locks are different brands and types, and you want them all to work with the same key, you’ll need to hire a local locksmith to set up a master key system in your home.
Using a Low-Quality or Older Lock
If your keys get stuck and lubricating the hardware doesn’t help, it’s time to upgrade to a new set. Major signs of keys in disrepair are rust spots or broken or chipped pieces. If you already have high-quality locks, opt for rekeying.
Should You Contact a Pro to Rekey or Change Your Locks?
It might be tempting to tackle rekeying or changing your locks as a DIY project, but you should consider hiring a professional to do the work for you.
While rekeying your door locks is something you can DIY yourself—if you’re backed into a corner — you’ll need a specific rekey kit for your lock’s brand. Kits typically only cost $10 to $25 each, but picking the wrong one can lead to more headaches than solutions. Instead of dealing with mismatched pins and keys that just don’t work, a professional knows exactly what to look for and will ensure everything fits perfectly.
Changing your locks can seem straightforward, especially if it’s a standard replacement for a modern home. If you’re comfortable enough to remove and reinstall a deadbolt, you might get away with a DIY project. On the other hand, if you live in an older home, you could run into compatibility issues. Finding the right replacement for those aging locks can be a challenge, but hiring a professional can save you the frustration of endless searching.
And let’s not forget about safety. A professional locksmith has the experience to guarantee your locks are installed correctly and securely. They can offer advice on the best locks for your specific needs, like a master key system—something that’s generally outside the realm of a DIY project unless you’re quite handy.
So, while a DIY approach might save a few bucks in the short term, hiring an expert ensures a job well done, reduces potential security risks, and gives you peace of mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you should change the locks as soon as you can after completing the purchase of a house. This is a matter of privacy and security, as you have no idea how many copies of the keys the previous owner made. You can change the locks yourself or hire a pro to replace or rekey the lock, which costs $50 to $100.
It’s usually cheaper to rekey a lock than to replace it outright. Replacing a lock costs an average of $315, as it requires a fair amount of both materials and labor. Rekeying a lock, on the other hand, is a relatively simple process that a pro gets done in around an hour. Professional locksmiths charge an average of $75 per hour, and you won’t need to replace the hardware.
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. Businesses, for instance, routinely rekey their locks every six months to a year. If you experience a break-in or a house key has gone missing, rekey the locks immediately. The same goes if your lock becomes damaged.
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