Cylinders that still work
The lock body stays if it is in good condition.
Rekey
Lock rekeying
Rekey house and commercial locks so old keys stop working, without replacing hardware that is still sound.
Rekeying changes the combination inside a working lock so previous keys stop working. It is the usual request after you buy a home, end a tenancy, lose a key, or change staff. You keep the hardware and leave with a new key.
The cost depends on how many cylinders share the old key, the type of cylinder, and the location. A single front door is a smaller visit than a house with a garage service door and a back entrance on the same key. A trip fee applies. The cost of the work is agreed in USD before it starts. This page does not publish a flat rate.
Automotive keys are not rekeyed this way. Use car key replacement for a vehicle.
On the visit
A rekey visit
A new key
Cut to the new combination and tested in each door on that key.
Old keys retired
Previous keys should no longer operate those cylinders.
Several doors
Every entrance on the old key should be listed.
House or business
The same idea, with commercial cylinders called out when they differ.
A reason to stop
If the lock is damaged, replacement is recommended instead.
Common situations
Good reasons to rekey
You just moved in
You do not know how many copies of the old key exist.
A tenant or roommate left
Retire the key without buying all new hardware.
A key was lost
Rekey if you cannot be sure the key will not be used.
Staff no longer have access
List every commercial door that used the old key.
Rekey or replace
Choose a rekey when the lock still operates smoothly and you mainly need the old key retired. Choose repair or replacement when the key is hard to turn, the latch does not catch, or the lock was attacked. A residential overview is on the house locksmith page, and shared business keys are on the commercial page.
After the new keys are cut
Test every door on the new key before the technician leaves, including any side door you mentioned. Label the keys if more than one combination was requested. Destroy or store the old keys deliberately so they are not left in a drawer that still feels official.
Questions
Practical answers
What does it mean to rekey locks?
The lock stays. The pins are changed so the old key no longer works and a new key does. You are not buying a whole new lockset unless the hardware is already failing.
When is rekeying a bad idea?
When the lock is cracked, loose, or the wrong strength for the door. In that case replacement, on the lock repair page, is the clearer fix.
Can you rekey a car?
Car locks are a different mechanism from a house cylinder. A car key request belongs on car key replacement. This page is for building locks.
How many locks can be done on one visit?
As many as use the same key, or a planned set of keys, and as the time on site allows. Count the doors before you request the visit so the quote matches the property.
Related locksmith services
These pages cover a neighboring job in more detail.
Want the old keys retired?
Tell us how many doors share the key, the city, and whether this is a home or a business.