Rekey vs Replace Locks: Which One Do You Need?
Locksmith Milwaukee Now rekeys and replaces house locks in Milwaukee and about 30 miles around it. A rekey keeps the lock and changes the key, from $59 for the first lock and $20 for each additional lock on the same visit. A new lock starts at $99. We work 24/7. Call or text us.
The short answer
Rekey vs replace locks comes down to one question: is the lock itself still good? If the lock turns smoothly, the bolt goes all the way out, and the only problem is that someone else may still have a key, rekey it. If the lock is worn, loose, broken, too weak for the door, or simply not the kind of lock you want, replace it. In Milwaukee a rekey starts at $59 for the first lock, and a new lock starts at $99 with the work included. Most homes end up with a mix: the good locks get rekeyed and one tired lock gets replaced on the same visit.
The rest of this page explains how to tell which group each lock on your house belongs to, what each job costs, and what changes for you afterward.
What a rekey changes and what it keeps
A rekey keeps the whole lock on the door: the body, the handle, the bolt, and the finish you see. What changes is a set of tiny brass pins inside the cylinder. Each pin has a length that matches one cut on the key. A locksmith takes the cylinder out, removes the old pins, and puts in pins that match a new key. After that, the old key no longer lines the pins up, so it will not turn.
Because the hardware stays, a rekey costs less than a new lock and usually takes about 10 to 15 minutes per lock. The catch is that a rekey fixes the key problem and nothing else. A worn latch, a sagging door, or a cracked housing stays exactly as it was.
Signs a lock should be replaced
A lock is ready to replace when the mechanism, and not the key, is the problem. These are the signs we look for at the door:
- The key turns hard even after the cylinder is cleaned and lubricated.
- The deadbolt does not slide all the way out, or it slides back when you push on it.
- The whole cylinder spins in the door when you turn the key.
- The lock wobbles because the screws inside the door have stripped the wood.
- The housing is cracked, or the finish has worn through and rust is showing.
- The door was forced and the bolt, the trim, or the strike plate is bent.
- The lock is a basic Grade 3 deadbolt on an outside door and you want a stronger one.
- You want a different kind of lock, like a keypad, a smart lock, or a handle set.
One sign alone does not prove the lock is done. A bolt that drags can come from a door that has dropped on its hinges, and that is a door adjustment, not a lock problem. We check the door before we suggest new hardware.
When rekeying is the better choice
Rekeying fits every case where the lock is fine and the keys are the risk. You bought a house and do not know who kept a copy. A roommate, a tenant, or a contractor had a key and did not return it. You lost a key ring that had your address on it. A relationship ended and a former partner still has keys. In each of these cases the lock is doing its job, and new pins are enough to cut off every old key at once.
Rekeying is also the simple way to get one key for the whole house. If the front door, the back door, and the side door all take keys of the same brand and shape, we can rekey them so one new key opens all three. Rekeying house locks has its own page with the full visit and prices.
When one key cannot open every lock
One key can only open locks that share the same keyway, the shaped slot the key slides into. A Schlage key does not fit a Kwikset lock, because the slot is cut to a different profile. If your house has a mix of brands, there are two ways to reach one key: rekey the locks that share a keyway and replace the odd one, or replace just the cylinder on the odd lock when that part comes separately. We look at the locks first and tell you which way costs less.
What each one costs
| Rekey, first lock | from $59 |
|---|---|
| Rekey, each additional lock | from $20 |
| Lock change | from $99 |
| Deadbolt installation | from $119 |
A rekey costs less because you pay for labor and new pins, not for a new lock body. The price grows with the number of locks: the first lock starts at $59, and each additional lock on the same visit starts at $20. A typical house with a front deadbolt, a front knob, and a back deadbolt starts at $59 for the first lock and $20 for each of the other two.
A lock change starts at $99 with the work included. A new deadbolt on a door without one starts at $119, because the door needs new holes. The final price depends on the lock you choose, the door, and when we come out. A trip fee may apply at some times and places, and we tell you the total before we start.
Rekey or replace after a break-in
A forced door is the one case where rekeying alone is rarely enough. A kick usually bends the strike plate, splits the frame around it, or bends the bolt. Those parts need replacing or repair, and the frame may need longer screws that reach the wall framing. If a key was stolen along with the break-in, the remaining locks should be rekeyed too. The full list of steps is on our page about changing locks after a break-in.
Rekey or replace in a rental
Renters usually need the landlord's okay before any lock is changed, and most leases say so. If you rent and want new keys, ask the landlord or the property manager first. Many landlords rekey between tenants as a routine step, and some will rekey on request. Landlords and managers can read our checklist to rekey between tenants and how we work with property managers.
Choosing a stronger lock while you are at it
If a lock needs replacing anyway, it is a good moment to pick a better one. For an outside door we suggest at least a Grade 2 deadbolt with a 1-inch bolt, and a strike plate held by long screws. Our page on deadbolt grades explains what Grade 1, 2, and 3 mean and how the newer A, B, and C ratings work.
What to tell us before the visit
A photo of each lock, inside and out, tells us most of what we need. Add the brand if you can read it on the face of the lock, and tell us how many doors you want on one key. We bring pins for the common brands and new locks in the common finishes, so most homes are done in one visit.
Cities we serve around Milwaukee
Milwaukee and about 30 miles around it: Milwaukee County, Waukesha County, Ozaukee County, Washington County, and Racine County.
Questions about rekeying or replacing locks
Is rekeying as secure as new locks?
A rekey makes the old keys useless, so for the risk of old keys it does the same job as a new lock. It does not make a weak lock stronger. If the lock is a basic model on an outside door, a new deadbolt adds strength.
Can every lock be rekeyed?
Most pin tumbler locks on houses can be rekeyed. Some low-cost locks are made so the cylinder does not come apart, and those get replaced instead.
Does rekeying cost less than replacing?
Rekeying costs less, from $59 for the first lock and $20 for each additional lock. A new lock starts at $99 with the work included.
Can you make all my locks open with one key?
Yes, when the locks share the same keyway. If one lock is a different brand, we replace that lock or its cylinder so one key fits all.
Do I need to be there?
Yes. We ask for a photo ID and something that shows you live at the address, like a deed, a lease, or a utility bill.