Rekey vs Replace Locks — Which Is Better?

The cylinder is pinned to a new key. Old keys stop working. The deadbolt, knob, or lever stays. Finish, backset, and strike stay the same.

Use it after a move-in, a lost key, a tenant change, or when you want several compatible locks keyed alike. It restores key control. It does not make a weak lock stronger.

The old lock comes off. A new deadbolt, knob, lever, or keypad goes on. That is how you upgrade security, change a worn unit, or move from a keyed knob to a keypad.

Use it when the lock is loose in the door, the bolt misses the strike, the tailpiece is chewed, someone already tried to drill it, or you want Grade-rated hardware / a keypad / a smart lock.

Turn the key. If it is smooth, the bolt throws fully, and you only care who has a key — rekey.

If the door has to be lifted, the latch barely catches, or you can wiggle the whole lock in the hole — replace, and check the strike and door alignment while we are there.

If you just bought the house and the locks are builder-grade but still sound, rekey first. Replace later if you want better hardware. Doing both on day one is optional, not required.

Rekeying is almost always less than buying new locks plus labor, because you are not paying for new hardware on every door. Replacement costs more per door and can be the cheaper long-term choice if the existing lock would fail in a year anyway.

We quote the job in front of you before work starts. This page does not publish dollar amounts.

Brand and keyway, whether cylinders can be keyed alike, strike alignment, door thickness, and whether a smart or keypad lock will even fit the prep. A photo sent before the visit gets you a tighter quote.