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- You pay the service call once, so doing every door in one visit is the cheapest way.
- A rekey keeps your locks and changes the key. The old keys stop working.
- High security and master keyed cylinders cost more per lock to rekey.
- If you take the lock to the shop, many locksmiths charge only the per lock price.
- Ask for one total that covers the call out, each cylinder and the new keys.
What a Rekey Costs
Most locksmiths price a rekey in two parts. There is a service call for coming to you, and a charge for each cylinder. A cylinder is any keyhole, so a front door with a knob and a deadbolt counts as two.
The per lock charge is usually 20 to 40 dollars. Fixr lists 20 to 30 dollars to repin a standard cylinder. Thumbtack puts a typical keyhole at about 18 dollars, and about 25 when the lock takes extra work. One Phoenix shop lists 25 to 35 dollars per keyhole plus the call out.
The service call is often 35 to 100 dollars. For a whole visit, Fixr puts a house rekey at 70 to 160 dollars, Thumbtack lists 191 to 225 for a typical rekey job, and the Phoenix shop lists 170 to 395 for a three door home. Most homes land somewhere in that spread, and the number of keyholes decides where.
Rekeying at the shop is cheaper still. If you can take the lock or the cylinder in, there is usually no service call at all.
What Raises the Price
The number of keyholes matters most. Each one is a separate charge, so count the knobs, deadbolts, garage entry door and any side gate before you call.
The type of lock matters too. A standard Kwikset or Schlage pin lock is quick work. High security cylinders, interchangeable cores and master key systems take more time and sometimes parts from the maker. Fixr lists 25 to 35 dollars to repin a high security cylinder and 30 to 35 for a Best style interchangeable core.
Time of day changes the service call. Nights, weekends and holidays usually add 50 to 100 percent, so book a rekey in the daytime unless it truly cannot wait.
A lock that is worn out may not be worth rekeying. If it sticks, wobbles or will not latch, new hardware is the better buy.
Rekey or Replace
Rekey when the locks work fine and you only need the old keys to stop working. That covers moving into a new home, a lost key, a roommate moving out or a staff change. It costs a fraction of new hardware.
Replace when the lock is failing, too weak for the door, or you want a different style. A new lock costs more because you pay for the hardware as well as the labor. The lock replacement cost guide has those numbers.
While the locksmith is there, ask to have every outside door keyed alike. It adds little to the bill and gives you one key for the whole house. Rekey or replace your locks explains the choice in more detail.
What to Ask on the Phone
Ask four things before anyone drives out. What is the service call. What is the price per keyhole. How much is each extra key. Is that the total, with nothing added on site.
Tell them how many keyholes you have and the brand if you know it. A locksmith who knows the job can give you a firm number.
Be careful with a very low phone price that has no total. An advertised price under 30 dollars for a visit is usually a bait price. Read how to spot a locksmith scam before you book.
Expect to show photo ID and proof you live there. A good locksmith asks, because rekeying a house for a stranger is how break ins happen.
Where These Numbers Come From
Sources. These ranges come from public price pages we read on Fixr, Thumbtack and ACME Locksmith, checked against our locksmith cost guide. Prices change by city and by year, so use them to check a quote, not as a quote.
One More Thing
Is it cheaper to rekey or change locks
Rekeying is almost always cheaper. You pay for labor and a few small pins, not a new lock. Change the lock only when it is worn, damaged or too weak for the door.
Can I rekey a lock myself
Some locks, like Kwikset SmartKey, can be rekeyed at home with the working key and a small tool. Most other locks need the pins changed by hand, which takes a kit and practice. A locksmith does a standard lock in about ten minutes.
Do I get new keys with a rekey
Yes. Most locksmiths include a couple of keys and charge a few dollars for each extra one. Ask how many keys come with the price.
Should I rekey after I move in
Yes. You do not know who still has a key from the last owner, the builder or the agents. Rekeying every outside door is a cheap fix for that.
Does a rekey cost more at night
Usually. Nights, weekends and holidays often add 50 to 100 percent to the call out. Unless you are locked out or the old keys are a real danger, book it in the day.
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