Short answer: When you move into a home or lose a key, you face a choice between rekeying your existing locks and buying new ones. Knowing the real cost difference helps you make the smart call instead of overspending.
When you move into a home or lose a key, you face a choice between rekeying your existing locks and buying new ones. Knowing the real cost difference helps you make the smart call instead of overspending.
Rekeying keeps your existing lock hardware but changes the internal pins so your old keys no longer work and a new key takes over. Because the locksmith reuses the lock body you already own, rekeying is usually the cheaper path: the pin work itself often falls in the range of roughly $15 to $50 per cylinder, on top of the shop's service or trip fee. It is the natural choice when your current locks are in good physical condition and you simply need to control who has a working key, such as after buying a home, losing a copy, a roommate or tenant moving out, or a contractor having had temporary access. A single technician can often rekey several matching locks to one new key in a single visit, which makes it especially economical when you have multiple doors to cover.
Replacement makes sense when the hardware itself is the problem or when you want something the old lock simply cannot offer. If a deadbolt is worn, corroded, sticking, or has been damaged in a break-in attempt, rekeying a failing mechanism only preserves a weak point, so new hardware is the sounder investment. Replacement is also the answer when you want to upgrade, whether that means moving to a higher-security cylinder, switching to a keypad or smart lock, or matching a new finish across the house. Costs vary widely here because the hardware does the driving: a basic deadbolt might be modest, while a quality smart lock can run well over a hundred dollars before installation, so the total depends far more on which lock you choose than on the labor to fit it.
The decision usually comes down to two questions: is the existing hardware still good, and do you want new features? If the locks are solid and you only need to invalidate old keys, rekeying almost always wins on cost and is fast to do. If the hardware is compromised, mismatched, or you have been wanting to upgrade to a smart or higher-security lock anyway, replacement is worth the higher price because you are buying capability, not just a fresh key. A useful middle path many homeowners overlook is a mix: rekey the sound locks to a single shared key for convenience and savings, and replace only the one or two that are worn or that you actually want to upgrade. An honest locksmith can look at what you have and tell you which doors truly need replacing and which just need rekeying.
Rekeying keeps your existing lock hardware but changes the internal pins so your old keys no longer work and a new key takes over. Because the locksmith reuses the lock body you already own, rekeying is usually the cheaper path: the pin work itself often falls in the range of roughly $15 to $50 per cylinder, on top of the shop's service or trip fee. It is the natural choice when your current locks are in good physical condition and you simply need to control who has a working key, such as after buying a home, losing a copy, a roommate or tenant moving out, or a contractor having had temporary access. A single technician can often rekey several matching locks to one new key in a single visit, which makes it especially economical when you have multiple doors to cover.
Replacement makes sense when the hardware itself is the problem or when you want something the old lock simply cannot offer. If a deadbolt is worn, corroded, sticking, or has been damaged in a break-in attempt, rekeying a failing mechanism only preserves a weak point, so new hardware is the sounder investment. Replacement is also the answer when you want to upgrade, whether that means moving to a higher-security cylinder, switching to a keypad or smart lock, or matching a new finish across the house. Costs vary widely here because the hardware does the driving: a basic deadbolt might be modest, while a quality smart lock can run well over a hundred dollars before installation, so the total depends far more on which lock you choose than on the labor to fit it.
The decision usually comes down to two questions: is the existing hardware still good, and do you want new features? If the locks are solid and you only need to invalidate old keys, rekeying almost always wins on cost and is fast to do. If the hardware is compromised, mismatched, or you have been wanting to upgrade to a smart or higher-security lock anyway, replacement is worth the higher price because you are buying capability, not just a fresh key. A useful middle path many homeowners overlook is a mix: rekey the sound locks to a single shared key for convenience and savings, and replace only the one or two that are worn or that you actually want to upgrade. An honest locksmith can look at what you have and tell you which doors truly need replacing and which just need rekeying.
Call (877) 315-7116 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: (877) 315-7116 — a straight answer and an honest estimate before any work begins.