You’ve bought a new home and worry about how many keys the previous homeowner had floating around. Or, maybe you’re tired of the hefty bundle of keys taking up space in your pocket or purse and just want one key that opens all of your doors. Both are good reasons to rekey your home’s locks. And you might be surprised to find out just how easy it is.
How a Lock Works
Before rekeying a lock, it helps to understand how locks work. The type of lock found on most doorknobs and deadbolts is called a pin and tumbler lock. It contains a cylindrical plug that holds a series of pins and springs. The pins are of varying lengths to allow a specifically cut key shape to insert and turn the lock. For this to work, the length of the pins must match the depth of the grooves in the key.
To make a lock work with a different key, you need to disassemble the lock, remove the pins, and replace them with ones that match the cuts in the key you wish to use. Let’s learn how.
How to Rekey a Lock
If you have a traditional pin and tumbler lock, rekeying isn’t as difficult as it sounds. First, you’ll need to purchase a rekey kit for the brand of lock you have. The kit should contain various tools to aid in the lock’s removal and a set of different sized pins.
Step 1: Remove the Doorknob
The first step is to remove the doorknob from the door. To do this, you’ll need to align the holes in the cylinder by either turning the knob counterclockwise and holding it or inserting and turning the key a quarter turn to the right. (This step will vary by maker.)
Once the holes are aligned, insert the remover tool, press, and pop the knob off, separating it from the shank.
Step 2: Remove the Cylinder
Once you have the knob removed, you need to remove the cylinder from the inside. If your knob has a cap on the back, you’ll need to remove that using an appropriate tool. Then, push the cylinder free from front to back.
Step 3: Take Out the C-Clip
Next, remove the C-clip holding the cylinder in place.
Step 4: Attach Key Plug
Remove the key plug from its housing using the follower tube included in your kit. Attach it to the back of the cylinder and insert the key in the lock.
Some locks will require that you turn the key 45-degrees. Now, push the cylinder plug out of the cylinder, leaving the plug follower inside the housing to hold pins and springs in place.
Step 5: Dump the Old Pins
Dump out the pins in the plug. Remove the key and insert the new key.
Step 6: Insert New Pins
Insert new pins as indicated with the kit’s instructions. Make sure they are flush on the top of the plug.
Step 7: Replace the Plug
Replace the plug into the cylinder, slowly pushing out the plug follower as you go. Once inserted, try the key and make sure it turns. Remove the follower and replace the C-clip until it snaps in place.
Step 8: Reattach Knob to Door
Reinsert the cylinder into the knob and reattach the knob to the door.
Step 9: Test the Lock
Once everything is reassembled and feels secure, test the lock.
How to Rekey a Deadbolt Lock
If your deadbolt requires a separate key from your entry doorknob, you can rekey it if they are the same brand. To rekey the deadbolt, remove it from the door and repin as you do a doorknob.
- Make sure the bolt is out and remove the screws holding the deadbolt to the door.
- Remove the cylinder from the housing and the endcap from the cylinder. Take out the retainer pin.
- Repin as you would for a doorknob, then replace the cylinder into the housing, replace the retainer pin and endcap, and return it to the housing.
- Re-check that the bolt is out, then reattach the lock to the door.
When to Change Your Door Locks Rather Than Rekey
Maybe you’re unsure if you should rekey your locks or replace them. There are a few instances where replacing them is the better option.
- If you’ve lost your key and don’t have a spare, and your knob is locked, you won’t be able to remove the lock to rekey it. You’ll need to replace it.
- You’re doing a bit of remodeling that includes replacing doors and you want an updated style. That would call for replacing your locks.
- Rekeying won’t help worn or damaged locks, either. It’s time to replace the locks.
- If you don’t feel confident rekeying your lock and can’t find someone to do it for you, then you’ll need to change them.
- To rekey locks to use the same key, all of them must be from the same manufacturer. You can’t rekey a Kwikset lock to use a Schlage key because each maker’s locks have different size holes that will only accept their own keys. So, if all of your doors have different brands of locks, choose the one you want to match, replace the others, then rekey them.
FAQs
Rekeying a lock is a common task for a locksmith, and this simple project only takes about 30 minutes to complete. The only tools you'll need to rekey your lock yourself are a rekey kit and the current key to the lock. This saves considerable money, especially when you need to access multiple locks with the same key.
Is it cheaper to rekey a lock or replace it? ›
Rekeying your lock is almost always cheaper than replacing a lock. This is because of the cheaper price of the key pins inside the locks, whereas when you replace a lock, you are paying for all brand-new parts.
How much does it cost to have a lock rekeyed? ›
Costs of rekeying can vary for the locksmith company. In general, prices average between $20 and $50 for a single lock and can cost up to $130 for a house. However, if you call a locksmith out on an emergency you can expect it to cost an extra $100 to $150.
Is it hard to rekey a lock? ›
If you have a traditional pin and tumbler lock, rekeying isn't as difficult as it sounds. First, you'll need to purchase a rekey kit for the brand of lock you have. The kit should contain various tools to aid in the lock's removal and a set of different sized pins.
Do you need original key to rekey a 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.
Can you rekey a lock to match existing key? ›
You can re-key a lock like a pro at a fraction of the cost. Re-keying kits are available for most lock brands but they're not interchangeable. You must buy a kit for each brand of lock in your home.
How long does it take a locksmith to rekey a lock? ›
Rekeying a lock generally takes about 15 minutes, but this depends on the type of lock as well as the skills of the person working on it. The most time-consuming part of the process is removing the lock from the door – the actual rekeying is much simpler. If it's simple, should you rekey your lock yourself?
How often should you rekey? ›
For residential homes, locks should be changed at least every three years. Of course, there are certain situations in which you should rekey your locks immediately. Here are the times when rekeying your locks is necessary: Purchasing a new house.
How much does it cost to rekey 5 locks? ›
Rekeying Home Locks
Rekeying locks on your home typically costs $80 to $160. If you call the locksmith to your home, you might pay a trip fee of $50 to $100. The cost to rekey is $30 to $60 per lock, bringing you to that total. Rekeying is different and more affordable than replacing the locks.
Does insurance cover rekeying? ›
Typically, no. Car insurance with roadside assistance coverage can make things easier if your keys are lost or stolen, but the cost of replacing them usually falls to you. The exception is if you have comprehensive coverage, which covers a stolen car, including its keys.
Toole's Ace Hardware can help! We rekey Kwikset and Schlage locks at a fraction of the price of having to replace your locksets. We can also create a 'master key' for superintendents or landlords that need access to multiple units without carrying a hundred keys.
Will Home Depot rekey locks to match? ›
Will Home Depot rekey locks for free? - Quora. Every store I worked at would rekey locks you buy from them, at no charge, so long as the key you have is compatible with the brand of lock you purchase. Most other keyed locks can be brought in and rekeyed as well, but they will of course charge for that service.
Can I get all my locks keyed the same? ›
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.
How do you change a door lock after buying a house? ›
Changing Locks on a New House in 5 Steps
- Take an inventory of all the doors with locks in the house.
- Purchase new door knob lock sets at a home center. ...
- To change the locks, unscrew the door knob from the inside and pull the knobs apart.
- Insert the new knobs into the door opening.
- Screw the new knobs into the door.
To do this, locks throughout your home need to be the same brand or have the same type of keyholes to rekey. Before calling your locksmith, you can test this out by trying your keys in the locks you want rekeyed to see if they have the same keyholes. If they slide right in, you're good to rekey.
Why would you rekey a lock? ›
Rekeying is not only used when you want to retire an old key, but also to match more than one lock for the same key. For example, if your home has several locks and each lock has a different key, which can be inconvenient, you may want to rekey the locks to all match the same key.
What is the process of rekeying? ›
The process of re-keying a lock is very simple. The locksmith removes all of the pins from the cylinder. Then, drawing from a collection of replacement pins of various sizes, the locksmith selects new lower pins that fit perfectly between the notches of the key and the shear line.
How is rekey done? ›
Rekeying a lock means to change the working key of the lock to a different key, without replacing the lock itself. In other words – you keep the same lock but the old key will no longer operate it. This is done by taking the lock apart and replacing some of the parts inside (called “tumblers” or “key pins”).
How do you rekey a lock without a kit? ›
What to Do to Rekey a Lock Without the Original Key
- Step 1: Take out the lock face. ...
- Step 2: Remove the lock cylinder from the knob and take off the cylinder retainer ring. ...
- Step 3: Remove the cylinder plug from the cylinder. ...
- Step 4: Remove the old pins and put the new key in. ...
- Step 5: Put the new pins on the lock.
It is extremely important for your locks to be rekeyed so they no longer have access to your home and possessions. If someone misplaces a key or has it stolen. Having a key to your home unaccounted for means less peace of mind. Rekeying is a cheaper option than changing the locks and is just as secure.
Do you have a lock that needs rekeying? 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.
Can you rekey different brands to same key? ›
When rekeying multiple locks to fit a single key, all locks must first have been made by the same manufacturer. For example, if your front door lock is a Schlage, the other locks you want rekeyed to match must also be made by Schlage.
How much does it cost to switch a lock? ›
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.
Can Schlage keys be rekeyed? ›
Schlage Rekeying Kits provide everything you need to get the job done—including all the tools and parts you need for repinning the cylinders of most Schlage locksets so that they work with a single key.
Is Schlage or Kwikset better? ›
Overall, Schlage takes the crown as our most recommended brand. Even if you have to pay a little more for Schlage locks, the added features and functionality of those models makes them stronger and better to use overall than Kwikset counterparts.
How much does it cost to change a new lock? ›
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.
How much does it cost to change the lock of a house? ›
New, upgraded locks provide extra safety and comfort by knowing your home is protected. It costs between $45 and $500 to change a door lock, including the door hardware and labor. However, specific costs will vary based on door type, the number of locks installed, and additional lock features.
Can Ace Hardware rekey locks? ›
Toole's Ace Hardware can help! We rekey Kwikset and Schlage locks at a fraction of the price of having to replace your locksets. We can also create a 'master key' for superintendents or landlords that need access to multiple units without carrying a hundred keys.
Will home Depot rekey locks to match? ›
Will Home Depot rekey locks for free? - Quora. Every store I worked at would rekey locks you buy from them, at no charge, so long as the key you have is compatible with the brand of lock you purchase. Most other keyed locks can be brought in and rekeyed as well, but they will of course charge for that service.
Can I replace a lock myself? ›
Replacing door locks is a relatively simple DIY project. If you know your way around a basic screwdriver, you should be able to tackle it in under an hour. Full installation instructions come with the new locks and customer support hotlines are often available to answer any questions.
Whenever safety and security are at risk, we recommend changing the locks or having the locks rekeyed. The most common situations requiring the locks to be changed include: When you have purchased a new house.
Should you change locks after buying a home? ›
When you move into a new home, you should change the locks on your house. You have no idea how many copies of the house keys are floating around out there from the previous homeowners, so changing the locks will keep your new house more secure. Tom recommends changing the locks whenever a new home is purchased.
How much does a locksmith charge to install a deadbolt? ›
Deadbolt installation typically costs between $40 and $200, including the lock and installation equipment, but the price varies by several factors. For instance, if you decide to install a deadbolt lock yourself rather than hire a pro to do it, then your price will likely be lower.
How do I get all my locks keyed the same? ›
To get your locks re-keyed, visit your local locksmith to have them do it for you. Or, just ask the store you're purchasing the locks from to re-key the lock to one you may already own. It's a process that should only take a few minutes.
