You just got the keys to a new place. Somewhere out there are copies — with the previous owner, a cleaner, a contractor, an ex, the realtor’s lockbox. Changing that is the first thing to do. The question is how.
What rekeying actually is
A lock works because a set of tiny pins inside line up with the cuts on the right key. Rekeying means swapping those pins so the lock now matches a new key — and every old key stops working. The lock body, the handle, the finish, all of it stays. It’s a five-minute job per cylinder.
Why it’s usually the better choice
- Cost. Rekeying runs about $20–$28 per cylinder (pricing). New hardware for a whole house adds up fast.
- Speed. A locksmith can rekey every exterior lock in a typical house in well under an hour.
- One key for everything. Front, back, side, garage — all keyed alike to a single new key, which most houses don’t start out that way.
When replacing is the right call
Replace the hardware, don’t just rekey, if:
- The lock is old, stiff or corroded — common on coastal Florida homes. A rekey won’t fix a failing mechanism.
- You want to upgrade security — a proper Grade 1 deadbolt, or bump- and pick-resistant hardware from Medeco, Mul-T-Lock or Schlage.
- You’re adding a smart lock or a keypad so you can stop carrying a key at all.
- The locks are a mismatched set from years of piecemeal repairs.
A practical middle path
Plenty of new owners rekey everything now for the immediate security, then replace the front-door hardware later as a planned upgrade. Both are quick visits.
Just moved into a place in Palm Beach County or the Treasure Coast? Call 561-200-2832 and we’ll rekey or upgrade on the same visit, flat price agreed up front.