Does Home Depot or Lowe's Rekey Locks?
- Rekey service at big box stores is store by store, not a promise.
- Lowe's says it can re-key new locks bought at Lowe's. Older locks from your door may be turned away.
- Both stores sell rekey kits and Kwikset SmartKey locks you can rekey yourself.
- A locksmith can rekey the locks on the door, with or without a working key.
Why the Answer Changes From Store to Store
Rekeying takes a trained person, pins for the right brand and a few minutes at the counter. A store may have that one day and not the next. Some only rekey new locks from their own shelves, which is the easy case because the lock is out of the box and the brand is known. Locks pulled off a door are harder. They may be dirty, worn or a brand the store does not carry pins for.
So the honest answer is to call. Ask for the hardware or key cutting desk, not the general line. Have the brand of your lock ready. It is stamped on the face of the lock or on the key bow.
What to Ask Before You Go
- Do you rekey locks at this store, and is someone there today who does it?
- Which brands? Kwikset and Schlage are the most common.
- Does the lock have to be bought here?
- Do I need to bring the working key? Most counter rekeys need it.
- What is the fee, and does it include new keys?
Write down the answers and the name of the person. If you drive over with four locks off your doors, you want to know they will be done.
How a Counter Rekey Usually Goes
If your store does rekey, the steps are simple. You bring the lock off the door, or a new lock in its box, plus the working key. The person at the counter takes out the cylinder, swaps the pins to match a new key and puts it back together. You leave with the lock and new keys.
Test the new keys at home before you put the lock back on the door. Turn each key many times and check the bolt throws all the way. If you rekeyed more than one lock to the same key, try that key in every lock. A small mistake at the counter is easy to fix the same day and annoying to fix a week later.
Rekey Every Lock or Just One?
If you lost a key or just moved in, rekey every lock that the old key could open. That usually means the front door, the back door, any side door and the door from the garage into the house. A rekeyed front door does not help much if the old key still opens the back. Our guide to the locks to change when you move in has a full list, including garage and mailbox locks people often forget.
The Do It Yourself Route
Both stores sell two things that let you skip the counter.
- Kwikset SmartKey locks. These rekey with a small learn tool and the current key in about a minute. If you are buying new locks anyway, this can save trips later.
- Rekey kits for common brands. You take the cylinder out and swap pins to match a new key. It takes patience and a steady table.
Our step by step post on how to rekey a lock covers both, and when to stop and call for help.
When a Locksmith Makes More Sense
A store counter is good for a lock you are holding in your hand. A locksmith is better in these cases.
- The locks are still on the doors and you do not want to take them off.
- You do not have a working key. A locksmith can pick or decode the lock first.
- You want every door on one key, across brands.
- The lock is high security or a brand the store does not carry.
- You also want the door checked. A locksmith can fix a sticky latch or add a stronger strike plate while there.
A house call costs more than a counter fee, because the trip is part of the price. Our locksmith cost guide shows the usual ranges. Our rekey or replace guide helps you decide if you need new locks at all.
A Note on Key Copies
Rekeying and copying are not the same job. A copy makes another key for the lock you already have. A rekey changes the lock so old keys stop working. If you just moved in or lost a key, a copy does not fix the risk. Only a rekey or new locks do. If a key says do not duplicate, many counters will not copy it. Our lesson on blanks and keyways explains why some keys can only be cut by the right shop.
Finding Help Near You
If the store says no, or you would rather not take your doors apart, you can find a locksmith by city. Ask for a total price on the phone that covers the trip and each lock. Our post on what to ask a cheap locksmith first lists the questions that keep a low quote honest.
Common Questions
Will Home Depot rekey locks for free?
We could not confirm any free rekey offer. Policies and fees vary by store, so call your local store and ask.
Does Lowe's rekey old locks?
Lowe's says it can re-key new locks bought at Lowe's and that services vary by store. Call first if your lock came from somewhere else.
Do I need my key to get a lock rekeyed at a store?
Usually yes. A counter rekey starts by turning the plug with the working key. Without it, a locksmith is the better choice.
Is it cheaper to rekey at a store or with a locksmith?
A store counter is often cheaper per lock because there is no trip. A locksmith costs more but works on the door and can handle locks with no key.