How to Re-key a Door Lock (2024)

FAQs

How to Re-key a Door Lock? ›

It is usually cheaper to rekey the existing door hardware than to completely replace it. A lock rekey is great if you already like your current door knob and want a cost effective safety solution. Rekeying your hardware is a simple way to keep your home and work place safe and secure.

It is usually cheaper to rekey the existing door hardware than to completely replace it. A lock rekey is great if you already like your current door knob and want a cost effective safety solution. Rekeying your hardware is a simple way to keep your home and work place safe and secure.

Do you have too many keys to get into your house? For $10.00 each, our qualified staff will rekey your Schlage, Kwikset, or Ace brand doorknob or deadbolt. If you have a newer Kwikset lock it may use SmartKey technology, which makes re-keying quick and easy. We'll gladly show you how to rekey those locks for free!

A rekey service can take between 10 and 40 minutes per lock. Rekeying only applied to keyed security locks, and not to privacy locks found on bathroom and bedroom doorknobs. New lock installation or replacement can take 30-60 minutes per lock, which is one reason that lock replacement is more expensive.

Can Home Depot locksmiths rekey locks? Yes, Home Depot offers locksmith services, including lock rekeying. Rekeying is a process in which the pins inside a lock are rearranged to work with a new key. It's a cost-effective way to enhance security without replacing the entire lock.

Yes, it is possible for you to rekey a lock without the original key. A locksmith can change your locks even if you have lost or misplaced the original key. In general, it is possible to pick or shim the lock and unlock the door. Then, the locksmith will have a much easier time removing the lock cylinder.

But there is a preset rekey fee of $10.00 a store could charge. If in doubt always call your local store. If they do charge they might wave that fee if your situation really needs it. Home Depot always takes care of the customers.

You can head to your local hardware store and buy all key 'keyed alike' locks where all you need is one key and you can open each lock you buy. While this is going to be the most expensive option, if you don't know much about rekeying locks or making new keys, this is going to be the easiest solution for you.

Keyed alike means one key fits all locks, for example your front and back door locks can both use the same key or every lock in an office can use the same key. Having your locks keyed alike is very beneficial if you want to open & close all your door locks with one key.

Can a hardware store rekey a lock? ›

Life Pro Tip - If you move into a new house or are just looking to replace locks on your doors, you can take your existing locks out of your doors and get them rekeyed at a hardware store (Home Depot or Lowes) for <$10. This works for most of the common lock manufacturers (Shlage or Kwikset).

Re-keying a new lock to match an existing Kwikset key is simple and easy. And all Kwikset pin & tumbler locks can be re-keyed to achieve convenient one-key operation across multiple locks. All you need is a Kwikset Re-keying Kit, a Kwikset key, and a pin & tumbler lock.

Kwikset's SmartKey Security™ is designed to protect against these type of break-ins and keep your family safe. SmartKey Security™ also allows you to re-key the lock yourself in seconds, leaving lost or unreturned keys obsolete.

The average cost of hiring a locksmith ranges from $100 to $200. The average homeowner spends around $150 to rekey a more complicated house lock like a profile cylinder or 3-point lock system and replace a set of keys. On the low end, homeowners pay $75 to repair a broken door lock.

This is a Kwikset Smartkey lock. You can recognize them by the little slot to the left of the keyway when it's installed right side up. Kwikset locks seem to be statistically more likely to be installed upside down.

Unlimited amount of times. All you need is the Smarkey Security tool.

DIY with Rekey Kits

To DIY you'll need a rekey kit. They're specific to lock brands like Schlage or Kwikset and are shockingly inexpensive at the big box stores and Amazon. This Schlage one, for example, is less than 10 bucks and lets you do six locks.

Changing Home Locks

A locksmith may charge $50–$75 per hour for this job, though a master locksmith may cost up to $125 per hour. Alternatively, they may charge $20–$80 per lock plus a trip fee. The overall cost for a new lock system can be anywhere from $50–$300. Deadbolts, garage-door locks, and spare keys cost more.

Change your locks.

The price range for this service is significant—from $50 to $300 overall, depending on how many locks you need changed and what types of locks you want. On a per-lock basis, the cost is between $40 and $100 for the lock itself plus another $15 to $40 per lock for labor.