When rekeying saves you money and when full replacement is the right call. Cost comparison, decision framework, and step-by-step DIY guidance.
Rekeying is almost always cheaper. It costs $20–$50 per cylinder (professional) versus $80–$200 for full replacement. Rekey when the lock hardware is in good condition and you just need to invalidate old keys. Replace when the lock is damaged, worn, or you want a higher security grade.
Both methods achieve the same security outcome: old keys no longer work. But they take completely different approaches.
Rekeying changes the internal pin configuration inside the existing lock cylinder. The locksmith (or you, with a kit) removes the cylinder, replaces the driver and key pins with a new combination, and cuts keys to match the new configuration. The lock hardware stays in place. Nothing is physically removed from your door.
Replacing removes the entire lock hardware from the door and installs new hardware. You get a new cylinder, new bolt, new keys, and often new strike plate and exterior trim. The door gets a new hole or uses the existing one depending on the hardware.
| Factor | Rekeying | Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| Average professional cost | $20–$50 per cylinder | $80–$200 per lock |
| DIY cost | $15–$30 (kit per brand) | $30–$80 (hardware only) |
| Time (professional) | 10–15 min per lock | 15–25 min per lock |
| Time (DIY) | 20–40 min per lock | 20–30 min per lock |
| Lock hardware stays? | Yes | No — new hardware installed |
| Security grade changes? | No | Yes (if upgrading) |
| Works when lock is damaged? | No | Yes |
Most major residential lock brands sell rekeying kits at hardware stores. Kwikset, Schlage, Weiser, and Defiant all make brand-specific kits. The kit costs $15–$30 and covers multiple locks in the same brand family.
Worn pins or a bent cylinder. Rekeying won’t fix mechanical wear.
A kicked door or pried frame may have bent the bolt or housing. Replace everything.
Most new-construction homes have cheap Grade-3 locks. A Grade-1 upgrade costs $50–$80 in hardware.
Smart locks replace the entire deadbolt mechanism. No rekeying path.
Rekeying is almost always cheaper: $20–$50 per cylinder versus $80–$200 for full replacement. Rekey when hardware is in good condition. Replace when the lock is damaged, worn, or you want a security-grade upgrade.
Yes. Locksmiths carry pin kits for all major residential brands (Kwikset, Schlage, Medeco, Mul-T-Lock, Weiser, Defiant). High-security restricted keyways (Medeco, Abloy) require the locksmith to have authorization to cut new keys but can still be rekeyed.
Yes — this is called “keying alike.” A locksmith can rekey multiple locks of the same brand so they all use one key. Locks from different brands cannot be keyed alike because they use different pin sizes and keyways.
A typical home with 3–4 exterior locks takes 30–60 minutes. Rekeying is faster than full replacement because there’s no drilling, no hardware removal, and no door-prep work. The service call itself is usually the longer part of the appointment.
