How Rekeying Locks Works (and When It Is the Smart Move)

If you have ever moved into a new place, lost a key or ended a roommate arrangement, you have probably wondered whether you need new locks. Often, you only need to rekey the ones you have.

What rekeying actually does

Inside a typical pin tumbler lock sit small spring-loaded pins of different lengths. The right key lifts each pin to the exact height that lets the cylinder turn. To rekey a lock, a locksmith removes the cylinder, replaces the pins with a new combination and cuts a new key to match. The old key no longer lifts the pins correctly, so it stops working.

What stays the same

The lock hardware itself stays on your door: the knob, deadbolt body, finish and mounting. Only the internal pin combination changes. That is why rekeying is usually cheaper than a full lock change and often takes only a short visit.

When rekeying is the right move

Choose rekeying when you move into a home, after a tenant leaves, when a key is lost or stolen, or when you want several locks to share a single key. If the lock itself is damaged, loose or outdated, replacing it may be the better fix. Our guide on rekeying versus replacing walks through that decision.

Can every lock be rekeyed?

Most standard residential locks from major brands can be rekeyed. Some very cheap locks or unusual designs cannot, and in those cases replacement is the practical choice. We check before we start and tell you if it is not worth it.

Rekeying in Brooklyn

We offer lock rekey service for homes and apartments in Mill Basin, Marine Park and nearby areas, and commercial rekeying for shops and offices. Ask us to key several doors alike so one key opens them all.