Rekey Or Replace? How To Decide
In short: Rekey when the hardware is sound and you only need old keys to stop working. Replace when the lock is worn, damaged or being upgraded.
What rekeying actually does
The pins inside the cylinder are changed so the old key no longer aligns them. The lock stays on the door and every previous key becomes scrap metal. It is the cheaper option and it fully solves the who-else-has-a-key problem.
When rekeying is the right call
You have just moved in. A key has been lost. A relationship or a tenancy has ended. Staff have left. You want several doors to share one key. In every one of those cases the hardware is fine and the key holders are the issue.
When the lock genuinely has to go
The cylinder is worn and the key already sticks. The lock has been forced or drilled. It is a builder-grade lock on an exterior door. You are upgrading to a restricted keyway or a higher ANSI grade. Or the finish has failed and it looks tired next to a new door.
The upgrade question, honestly
Upgrading is worth it when the current lock is genuinely low-grade on an exterior door, or when a restricted keyway would stop copies being cut. It is not worth it simply because a lock is old. A sound Grade 1 or Grade 2 deadbolt that works properly does not need replacing because of its age.
The bit nobody mentions
Whichever you choose, the strike plate matters as much as the lock. Screws long enough to reach the framing stud rather than just the door casing are one of the cheapest meaningful security upgrades available, and they are often overlooked entirely.
About this guide
Written by A 24 Hour Locksmith, a licensed Sacramento locksmith. California Bureau of Security and Investigative Services License No. LCO 6830. License numbers can be verified on the California BSIS public license lookup. Nothing on this page is a priced offer; call (916) 244-3934 for an estimate for your situation.
Common questions
Is rekeying less secure than new locks?
No, for the purpose of retiring old keys. Afterwards no previous key works. New hardware is about the lock's own resistance to force, which is a different question.
Can I rekey locks from different brands to one key?
Sometimes, if the keyways are compatible. Where they are not, some cylinders get replaced so the whole set matches.
How much cheaper is rekeying?
Meaningfully, because you are paying for labor rather than labor plus hardware. The exact figure depends on how many locks.
Questions about your own locks?
Call and you will get a straight answer, whether or not it turns into a job.
Call (916) 244-3934