Residential Locksmith · Blog
How Much Does it Cost for a Locksmith to
Rekey Your House?
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Published On:December 14, 2020
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Getting the keys to your home should bring peace of mind. But for many homeowners, that feeling does not last long once a simple question comes up: who else might still have a copy of these keys?
Maybe you just moved into a new house. Maybe a tenant recently moved out. Maybe you lost a set of keys and are not sure where they ended up. These situations are more common than people think, and they all lead to the same concern — security.
This is where lock rekeying becomes one of the most practical and cost-effective solutions available to homeowners.
In This Article
What We Cover
Pricing Overview
Quick Answer: What Does Rekeying a House Actually Cost?
If you are looking for a fast estimate before reading further:
Residential Rekeying
Typical Rekeying Costs in Texas
Rekeying cost per lock cylinder
Average cost for a full home
Final cost depends on number of locks, lock type, and service conditions
Compared to full lock replacement, rekeying is significantly more affordable because the existing hardware stays in place. The sections below explain exactly why, and when each option makes more sense.
Do you need to change your home locks? Lock replacement is a great option if you are looking to replace old and worn-out locks and upgrade to smart locks or other keyless options. However, lock rekeying can be a better options in some scenarios, both in terms of cost and effort.
For example, you may need lock rekeying services if you have lost your keys, your roommate or a tenant moves out or if you are going through a divorce. And we always recommend not to change your locks if they are in good physical and functional condition, unless you want to upgrade.
Most homeowners do not think about their locks until something forces the issue. A key goes missing. Someone moves out. A door starts sticking or a lock feels looser than it used to. Suddenly a question you have never asked before becomes urgent: do I need to replace these locks entirely, or is there a simpler way to secure my home?
The answer, in most cases, is rekeying. And it costs considerably less than most people expect.
Understanding Your Options
What Is the Difference Between Rekeying and Replacing Your Locks?
These two terms get used interchangeably but they are very different jobs.
Replacing locks. This procedure involves changing out the hardware of the lock itself, such as the deadbolt or doorknob lock. The locking mechanism will be completely replaced with a new one.
Replacing your locks may be necessary if one is broken or old and becoming difficult to maneuver. In our experience, damaged or malfunctioning locks can be easily manipulated, posing a serious security concern. You may also replace your locks with more secure locks if you are concerned about a break-in.
Rekeying locks. Instead of replacing the lock completely, rekeying simply changes the tumblers inside of the lock so that a new key is required and the old key no longer works.
You may want to rekey your locks if you want the old key to stop working, such as in the case of a break-up or divorce, an eviction, or the termination of an employee. Lock rekeying is also a great idea if you are moving to a new house, especially if the locks are in good shape.
Rekeying your locks has one major advantage over replacing your locks: it costs less. How much does it cost for a locksmith to rekey your house? And how does that compare with having a locksmith replace your locks? Let’s break it down.
What’s the Difference?
Lock Rekeying vs Lock Replacement — Cost & When to Choose Each
- Existing lock hardware stays in place
- Only the internal key pins are changed
- Old keys instantly stop working
- Done in 10–15 minutes per lock
- Lock must be in good working condition
- Entire lock mechanism is brand new
- Upgrade to a higher security grade
- Option to go keyless or smart lock
- Costs more — parts and labor
- Takes longer — 30 to 60 min per lock
Not sure which you need? Call us and we’ll assess your locks and give you an honest recommendation before any work begins.
Cost Breakdown
What Does a Locksmith Charge to Rekey Your Locks?
Rekeying can be as low as $20 per cylinder. The cost per home can range from $100-$200 depending on how many locking doors you have. Because the hardware doesn’t have to be replaced, the cost is much lower than replacing locks and deadbolts.
A few things affect where your total lands within that range.
1
Number of Locks
A typical single-family home has between three and six lockable entry points. Front door, back door, garage entry, and sometimes a side gate or secondary entrance. Each cylinder is priced separately, so the more locks you have, the higher the total.
2
Lock Brand and Type
Standard locks from common brands are straightforward to rekey. High-security locks, some smart lock cylinders, and older or unusual hardware may take more time and require specific pins or tools, which can add to the cost.
3
Service Call Fee
Most locksmiths charge a base fee to come out to your location before any work begins. This typically ranges from $25 to $50 depending on the company and your location, and it is separate from the per-cylinder cost.
4
Time of Day
Standard appointments during business hours carry standard rates. After-hours calls, weekends, and holidays typically carry a higher service fee.
5
Your Location
Urban areas tend to have higher locksmith rates. Remote or rural locations may carry a travel surcharge on top of the base service charge.
What Does It Cost to Replace Your Locks Instead?
Lock installation ranges anywhere from $85-$100 per hour. Depending on how long it takes to replace all of your locks, the cost can go up quickly. Replacing your locks yourself could save you money, but may not be as secure as having the job done by a professional locksmith.
To put that in perspective: if a locksmith spends two to three hours replacing all the locks on a typical home, you are looking at $170 to $300 in labor alone, before the cost of new hardware. Quality deadbolts and locksets range from $30 to $150 each, or more for high-security options. On a home with five entry points, total replacement costs can easily reach $400 to $600 or beyond.
Rekeying the same home at $20 to $30 per cylinder plus a service call fee typically comes in between $120 and $200. When the existing hardware is still in good shape, the savings are hard to argue with.
Need a Rekeying Quote in Texas?
Our licensed technicians serve homeowners across Texas. Call us and we will walk you through your options before dispatching anyone.
Know When to Rekey
When Should You Rekey Your House?
Rekeying is not just about cost savings. It is about control over who has access to your home. Here are the most common situations where it makes the most sense.
- You just moved into a new home. This is the single most common reason people call for rekeying. When you move into a property, you have no way of knowing how many copies of the keys exist or who still has them. Previous owners, real estate agents, contractors, and neighbors may all have had a copy at some point. Rekeying immediately after taking possession is one of the most practical security decisions you can make, and it costs a fraction of full replacement.
- You lost your keys. If your keys are genuinely lost rather than stolen, rekeying is usually enough. It makes the missing keys useless without requiring new hardware.
- A roommate or tenant moved out. Whether the departure was amicable or not, any time someone who had a key leaves, rekeying is worth doing. You cannot always be certain copies were not made.
- An employee was let go. For homeowners who employ housekeepers, caregivers, or contractors with regular access, rekeying after that relationship ends is straightforward and inexpensive.
- A relationship ended. In the case of a divorce, breakup, or any situation where someone with a key is no longer welcome, rekeying is often one of the first calls people make.
Know When to Replace
When Should You Replace Your Locks Instead?
Replacement makes more sense in these situations.
- The lock is physically damaged or worn and difficult to operate. A lock that sticks, spins, or does not turn smoothly is a security risk regardless of who has the key. Rekeying a damaged lock does not fix the underlying problem.
- You want to upgrade. If you are moving from a basic doorknob lock to a deadbolt, switching to a high-security option, or installing a smart lock or keyless entry system, replacement is necessary because you are changing the hardware entirely.
- The lock has been tampered with. If your home was broken into and the lock was forced, replacement is the safer choice even if the lock appears to still function.
The Process Explained
How Does the Rekeying Process Actually Work?
A lot of homeowners have never watched a rekeying job and are not sure what to expect when a locksmith arrives. Here is what the process looks like.
The locksmith removes the lock cylinder from the door hardware. This takes only a few minutes and does not damage the lock or the door. Once the cylinder is out, the existing key pins are removed. These small pins are what determine which key the lock responds to. New pins matched to the new key are inserted, the cylinder is reassembled, reinstalled in the door, and tested. The locksmith verifies the new key works correctly before moving to the next lock.
A single lock typically takes ten to twenty minutes. A full home with five or six locks is usually done within an hour or two.
One Thing Worth Knowing
When a locksmith rekeys all the locks in your home during the same visit, they can key every lock to match a single new key. One key for every door in the house. No more sorting through a bunch of keys trying to remember which one fits which lock.
How Many Locks Does a Typical House Have?
It is worth thinking through before you call for a quote, because the number of cylinders directly affects your total.
A standard single-story home usually has a front door deadbolt, a front door knob or handle lock, a back door deadbolt, a back door knob lock, and a garage entry door. That is four to five cylinders as a baseline. Larger homes or those with additional entry points can have eight or more. Some homeowners also include a home office, a storage room, or a safe room in the same visit.
When you call for a rekeying quote, having a rough count of your keyed entry points ready saves time and helps the locksmith give you a more accurate estimate over the phone.
Why Hire a Pro
Benefits of Hiring a Professional Locksmith to Rekey Your Home
There are many benefits to hiring a locksmith to rekey your locks, such as:
- Avoid mistakes. Trying to rekey your locks yourself often leads to ruining the lock entirely. It may cause unwanted damage to the lock or the surrounding hardware, which can be easily avoided. Additionally, doing it yourself leaves you with no choice but to purchase new locking mechanisms and hardware when you could have saved yourself the hassle and cost by hiring a professional locksmith.
- Ensure security. When you have a security reason for rekeying your locks, you want to be sure the old key will no longer work. Hiring a professional ensures that your locks are professionally and accurately rekeyed for enhanced security.
- Save money. By having your locks rekeyed rather than replaced, you save some money and achieve the same security results you were looking for.
Locksmiths have specialized equipment that allows them to rekey your locks and make a new key to fit. You can get as many copies of your new key as you would like and be sure to only give them to people you trust.
The One Thing Most People Forget to Ask Their Locksmith
Here is something that does not come up in most rekeying conversations but probably should.
When a locksmith rekeys your home, ask them to assess the condition of each lock while they have the cylinder out. A lock that feels fine from the outside can have worn internal components that a trained eye will catch immediately. Pins that are close to failing, worn springs, or a cylinder that is starting to show corrosion are all things that are invisible until the lock is open on a workbench.
It takes an extra minute per lock and costs nothing to ask. But it can save you from a lock that stops working at an inconvenient time, or worse, one that fails in a way that compromises your home security without you realizing it.
Think of it the same way you would ask a mechanic to check the tyres while your car is already on the lift. The job is already in progress. The information costs you nothing. And knowing the condition of your locks upfront means you can make a proper decision about whether any of them are worth replacing now rather than being surprised by it later.
Should You Rekey or Upgrade to Smart Locks?
This question comes up more often as keyless entry systems become more accessible and affordable. If you are already calling a locksmith after a move or a change in who has access, is it worth upgrading at the same time?
For some homeowners, yes. Smart locks remove the key problem entirely. There are no copies to worry about, no keys to lose, and access can be changed or revoked through an app without any physical work. If you have had recurring issues with lost keys or need to manage access for multiple people, a keyless system addresses the root cause rather than treating the symptom.
The tradeoff is cost. A quality smart lock runs $100 to $300 or more for the hardware alone, plus installation. For a home with multiple entry points, a full upgrade is a meaningful investment compared to rekeying.
A good locksmith will give you an honest take on whether rekeying makes sense right now or whether upgrading is worth considering given how you actually use your home.
Written By
TPL
Texas Premier Locksmith Team
Texas Licensed Locksmith — License #B17236
The Texas Premier Locksmith team consists of licensed technicians with real experience handling lockouts, key replacements, and security upgrades across Texas. Our content is based on actual service scenarios, helping customers understand costs, processes, and what to expect before calling a locksmith.
Texas Premier Locksmith is a licensed locksmith company in Texas (License #B17236) serving customers since 2011.
Texas Premier Locksmith Offers Affordable Residential Rekeying Services
Looking for a locksmith to rekey your home locks? Texas Premier Locksmith provides residential rekeying services across Texas. We can send a locksmith out to your home to rekey your locks for less than the cost of replacing them. As long as your locks are still in good condition and operating properly, rekeying is an ideal way to secure your home.
Serving Dallas, Austin, Killeen, Temple, Waco, Abilene, San Marcos, Corpus Christi, College Station, and surrounding areas.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Lock Rekeying vs Lock Replacement in Texas
What is the difference between rekeying and replacing a lock?
Rekeying changes the pins inside your existing lock so the old key stops working and a new one is cut. The lock itself stays on the door. Replacing means the whole lockset comes out and new hardware goes in. Rekeying costs less and takes less time. Replacement is the move when the hardware is damaged or you want something better.
Should I rekey my locks after buying a house in Texas?
Honestly, yes, and sooner rather than later. You have no idea how many copies of those keys are floating around or who has them. Previous owners, contractors, neighbors, real estate agents — any of them could have a copy. If the locks are in decent shape, rekeying before you move in is the quickest and most affordable way to make the home actually yours.
Is rekeying as secure as replacing locks?
Yes, as long as the lock itself is in good shape. People assume new automatically means safer, but that is not how it works. A solid deadbolt that has been rekeyed by a professional is just as effective as one fresh out of the box. The quality of the hardware is what matters, not how recently it was installed.
What happens to my old keys after rekeying?
They become completely useless. Once the pins inside the lock are changed, no old copy will turn it, no matter how many exist. That is the whole point. Whether you lost your keys, a tenant moved out, or you just want a clean slate, rekeying cuts off access for everyone who had it before.
Can a locksmith rekey all my locks to work with one key?
Yes, and it is one of the more satisfying things we do. If you have three or four entry doors all needing different keys, a locksmith can match them all to a single key in one visit. One key, every door. It sounds simple but makes a real difference in daily life.
When is replacing a lock the better choice even if it still works?
A few situations come to mind. If the lock has been forced or tampered with during a break-in attempt, internal damage is not always visible from the outside. If you want pick-resistant or high-security hardware, rekeying the old lock will not get you there. And if you are ready to go keyless with a smart lock, the existing hardware has to come out regardless. A locksmith can look at what you have and tell you straight whether it is worth keeping.