January 14, 2026 5 min readBy Tim, Open Sesame Lock & Key
Rekeying means keeping the lock you already own and changing the pins inside so old keys stop working. It's the fastest, cheapest way to take back control of who can open your doors — but the price you're quoted depends on a handful of things worth understanding before you call anyone.
What actually drives the price
- Number of cylinders. Price is usually built per cylinder, not per house. A front deadbolt and knob set is two cylinders, even though it's one door.
- Hardware type. Standard residential Kwikset or Schlage cylinders re-pin quickly. Commercial mortise cylinders, high-security keyways, and older mortise locks take longer and cost more.
- Condition. A cylinder that's been weathering on a porch for fifteen years may need cleaning or parts before it will hold a new pin stack reliably.
- Travel. A mobile locksmith drives to you. Any travel cost should be told to you on the phone, before anyone gets in a van.
Rekey or replace?
- Rekey when the hardware still turns smoothly, looks the way you want, and is a brand you trust. You keep the lock and pay for labor and pins.
- Replace when the lock is loose in the door, the finish is failing, the keyway is worn enough to snag, or you want a different grade of security — for example moving from a builder-grade knob to a Grade 2 deadbolt.
- A good locksmith will tell you which one your door actually needs, even when replacing would earn them more.
When you should rekey right away
- You just closed on a house. You have no idea how many keys the previous owners handed out.
- A tenant moved out, or a rental turned over between guests.
- A key went missing and you can't account for it — especially one on a ring with an address tag.
- A relationship, roommate arrangement, or employment ended and someone still holds a key.
How we quote it
- We ask how many doors, what brand is on them, and whether you want every door on one key. Then you get a fair price range on that call — not after we're standing in your driveway.
- Every lock is cycled and tested with the new key before we leave, and the old keys are verified as dead.