Short answer: When you move in, lose a key, or part ways with someone who had one, you have two paths: rekey the locks you own or replace them entirely. They solve different problems and cost very different amounts, and picking the wrong one either wastes money or leaves a gap. Here is how the two really compare.
When you move in, lose a key, or part ways with someone who had one, you have two paths: rekey the locks you own or replace them entirely. They solve different problems and cost very different amounts, and picking the wrong one either wastes money or leaves a gap. Here is how the two really compare.
What rekeying is (and why it’s usually cheaper)
Rekeying keeps your existing hardware and simply changes the internal pins so your old keys stop working and a new key takes over. Because the lock body, the finish, and the door prep all stay in place, you’re only paying for a few minutes of skilled work per cylinder — often in the neighborhood of $15–$30 per lock in parts and labor once a technician is already on site, on top of the service call. The big advantage beyond price is that multiple locks can be set to one key, so a house with a front, back, and garage door ends up with a single key that opens all three. For most “new keys, same doors” situations — a home purchase, a roommate move-out, a lost key — rekeying is the sensible, lower-cost answer.
When paying to replace is the smarter money
Replacement earns its higher cost when the hardware itself is the problem. If a lock is worn, sticky, rusted, or from an unknown low-grade brand, rekeying a failing mechanism just delays the inevitable. You also replace when you’re upgrading — moving from a builder-grade knob to a graded deadbolt, switching to a keypad or smart lock, or matching new finishes during a remodel. A new residential deadbolt installed typically runs in the $100–$250 range depending on the grade and finish, and smart locks climb higher. The rule of thumb: rekey when the lock is good and only the key needs to change; replace when the security, the condition, or the features need to change.
How locksmiths price a multi-lock job
Costs scale differently than people expect. A locksmith bills one trip charge for the whole visit, then adds per-cylinder work, so rekeying five locks on one trip is far cheaper per lock than five separate calls. Replacement pricing, by contrast, is driven mostly by the hardware you choose — the labor per door is fairly consistent, but a $30 deadbolt and a $200 smart lock produce very different totals. A fair estimate itemizes it plainly: the trip fee once, then either a per-lock rekey rate or a per-lock install rate plus the hardware. If you’re getting one lump sum with no breakdown, ask them to separate the visit, the labor, and the parts so you can see where the money is going.
Frequently Asked Questions
What rekeying is (and why it’s usually cheaper)?
Rekeying keeps your existing hardware and simply changes the internal pins so your old keys stop working and a new key takes over. Because the lock body, the finish, and the door prep all stay in place, you’re only paying for a few minutes of skilled work per cylinder — often in the neighborhood of $15–$30 per lock in parts and labor once a technician is already on site, on top of the service call. The big advantage beyond price is that multiple locks can be set to one key, so a house with a front, back, and garage door ends up with a single key that opens all three. For most “new keys, same doors” situations — a home purchase, a roommate move-out, a lost key — rekeying is the sensible, lower-cost answer.
When paying to replace is the smarter money?
Replacement earns its higher cost when the hardware itself is the problem. If a lock is worn, sticky, rusted, or from an unknown low-grade brand, rekeying a failing mechanism just delays the inevitable. You also replace when you’re upgrading — moving from a builder-grade knob to a graded deadbolt, switching to a keypad or smart lock, or matching new finishes during a remodel. A new residential deadbolt installed typically runs in the $100–$250 range depending on the grade and finish, and smart locks climb higher. The rule of thumb: rekey when the lock is good and only the key needs to change; replace when the security, the condition, or the features need to change.
How locksmiths price a multi-lock job?
Costs scale differently than people expect. A locksmith bills one trip charge for the whole visit, then adds per-cylinder work, so rekeying five locks on one trip is far cheaper per lock than five separate calls. Replacement pricing, by contrast, is driven mostly by the hardware you choose — the labor per door is fairly consistent, but a $30 deadbolt and a $200 smart lock produce very different totals. A fair estimate itemizes it plainly: the trip fee once, then either a per-lock rekey rate or a per-lock install rate plus the hardware. If you’re getting one lump sum with no breakdown, ask them to separate the visit, the labor, and the parts so you can see where the money is going.
How do I get help with this?
Call (510) 999-8227 and describe the situation, your exact location, and what you need. Timing is confirmed on that call rather than promised in advance.
Call for help: (510) 999-8227 — a straight answer and an honest estimate before any work begins.