Rekey Locks in Milwaukee
Locksmith Milwaukee Now rekeys house and apartment locks in Milwaukee and about 30 miles around it, so the old keys stop working and a new key opens the door. The first lock starts at $59, and each additional lock starts at $20. We work 24/7, every day of the year. Call or text us.
What it means to rekey a lock
Inside a pin tumbler lock, a row of small pins sits in the cylinder. Each pin matches one cut on the key, and only the right key lifts every pin to the exact height that lets the cylinder turn. The lock on our home page shows the same thing in motion. A rekey usually takes about 10 to 15 minutes per lock.
When we rekey, we take the cylinder out, swap those pins for a new set, and cut keys to match. The lock, the handle, and the finish stay as they are. The old keys no longer open it, wherever they are now.
When to rekey your locks in Milwaukee
- You moved in. You do not know how many keys the last owner handed out to family, neighbors, contractors, or cleaners. Our answer on how to change locks after buying a house covers garage codes and smart locks too.
- A key is lost or stolen. After a rekey, that key will not open your door, wherever it ends up.
- A tenant or roommate moved out. A key that did not come back stops working the day we rekey.
- You want one key for several doors. Locks that share a keyway can be rekeyed to the same key.
- Keys were taken in a break-in. Rekeying shuts out every key that left the house.
How a rekey visit goes
- Tell us how many locksText us or call with the address and the doors: front, back, side, and the door from the garage.
- Show it is your homeA photo ID and proof of address. Landlords show proof that they own or manage the unit.
- We rekey on siteWe take each cylinder out, change the pins, and put it back. The work happens right at the door.
- Test every keyWe try each new key in every lock with you before we leave.
Rekey prices in Milwaukee
| Rekey, first lock | from $59 |
|---|---|
| Rekey, each additional lock | from $20 |
| House key copy | from $10 |
| Lock change | from $99 |
Each lock you add on the same visit costs less than the first, so three outside doors start at $99 together. If a lock is worn out or damaged, rekeying will not fix it; a new lock starting at $99 is the better choice, and we tell you which locks need it.
Rekey or change the lock
Rekey when the lock works well and you only need new keys. Change the lock when it is worn, damaged, or too weak for the door, or when you want a different style, like a deadbolt or a keypad. On one visit we can do both: rekey the good locks and replace the one that is failing. Our answer on rekey vs replace locks goes through the signs door by door.
One key for the whole house
Locks of the same brand usually share a keyway, the shape of the slot the key slides into. Those we rekey to one key. A Schlage lock and a Kwikset lock have different keyways, so one key cannot fit both as they are. In that case we change one cylinder or one lock, and the whole house runs on a single key.
Rekeying smart locks and keypad deadbolts
Many keypad deadbolts and smart locks keep a key cylinder as a backup. That cylinder rekeys like any other lock, so the backup key matches the rest of the house and an old backup key stops working.
Rekeying for landlords and property managers in Milwaukee
Between tenants, a rekey is the fastest way to make sure a past tenant's key does not open the unit. We rekey the unit door, and we can change the mailbox lock on the same visit, so a new tenant gets keys that nobody else has. Building managers can see how we work with them on our property managers page.
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 locks in Milwaukee
How much does it cost to rekey a lock?
The first lock starts at $59, and each additional lock on the same visit starts at $20.
Does rekeying cost less than replacing locks?
Yes. Rekeying starts at $59 for the first lock and a new lock starts at $99, because a rekey keeps the hardware you already have.
Can you rekey a lock without the key?
Yes. When there is no working key, we open the door first or take the cylinder out with the door open, and then rekey it.
Will my old keys still work after a rekey?
No. After a rekey, only the new keys open the lock.
Can you rekey all my locks to one key?
Yes, when they share a keyway. When they do not, we change one cylinder or lock so a single key fits them all.
How long does it take to rekey a lock?
About 10 to 15 minutes per lock, so three outside doors usually take 30 to 45 minutes.