Rekey or replace? How to decide in five minutes

Every week someone calls us to replace perfectly good locks. Sometimes that’s the right call. More often, a rekey does the same job for about a third of the price.

What rekeying actually does

Inside every pin tumbler lock is a row of small pins cut to match your key. Rekeying swaps those pins for a new set, so a new key works and every old key stops working. The lock body, finish and deadbolt stay exactly where they are.

Rekey when

• You just moved in and don’t know who has copies

• A key was lost, stolen or never returned

• You want every exterior door on one key

• The locks still turn smoothly and feel solid

Replace when

• The lock is loose, sticky or visibly damaged

• You want a higher security grade or a smart lock

• The finish is failing and you’re updating hardware anyway

• The keyway is no longer serviceable

The honest math

In Phoenix, rekeying typically runs $25 per cylinder plus a service call. A new mid-grade deadbolt installed is $129 or more per door before hardware. For a three-door home, that difference pays for a smart lock on the front door.

Not sure which you need? Send us a photo of the lock and we’ll tell you on the phone.