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You should replace door locks when you move into a new home since you don’t know who has copies of the key. Other reasons to change your locks include an attempted break-in, when someone moves out of your home, or if you lose a key with an address attached to it.

First, maintain composure and avoid forcing it further. Inspect the key to see if enough material remains exposed for extraction. Use pliers or tweezers to grasp and gently pull out the broken piece if possible. Lubricate the keyhole with a graphite-based spray to aid removal. If self-removal proves challenging or risks damaging the lock, seek a professional locksmith's assistance. They possess the necessary tools and expertise to extract the key without causing damage.

Expect to pay between $50 to $200 if you hire a locksmith to change your locks. That figure includes labor and the cost of basic hardware. The cost will naturally be higher if you plan to install more expensive locks, like smart locks, and if you need a lot of them.

Homeowners can save money by replacing locks themselves. A typical rekeying kit costs about $10 to $25. The only additional cost is purchasing new house keys, and those are no more than a few dollars per key. If you want to replace the locks on your own completely, the main cost is the price of the locks themselves. A standard knob-style lock starts around $25, while electronic locks and smart locks will run in the hundreds of dollars. The only additional tools you should need are a tape measure, screwdriver, and screws if they are not already provided.

It’s possible, but depends on the design of your lock. Some door locks that lack a keyhole do boast a small hole on the exterior handle or knob. This hole’s primary function is to allow water to drain out of the lock, in addition to giving homeowners an easy spot to insert lubrication. However, you can typically use a paperclip in this pinhole to unlock the door by manipulating the mechanism inside.