Lock Rekeying

What Is Lock Rekeying and How Does It Work?

Rekeying changes the internal pin configuration of your existing lock so old keys no longer work. We don't replace the lock itself. We pull the cylinder out of the lock body, swap the pins to a new pattern, and cut fresh keys that match. The process takes 20-40 minutes per lock.

Think of it like changing the password on your lock. The hardware stays, the access changes. It's faster and cheaper than replacing the entire lock, and it works on any standard pin tumbler cylinder.

Here's what actually happens inside the lock. A pin tumbler cylinder has 5 or 6 spring-loaded pin stacks. Each stack has a key pin (bottom) and a driver pin (top). The key pushes the pins to the correct height, creating a "shear line" that lets the cylinder turn. When we rekey, we replace the key pins with different lengths. The old key pushes them to the wrong height. The new key pushes them to the right one. Same mechanism, different combination.

How Much Does It Cost to Rekey a House in South Florida?

$125 covers the service call and your first lock. Each additional standard lock is $45. Here's what a typical rekeying job costs:

• 2-lock condo (front + back): $170
• 4-lock house (front, back, garage entry, side): $260
• 6-lock house (4 doors + 2 deadbolts): $350
• High-security locks (Medeco, Mul-T-Lock): $55-$75 per lock instead of $45

According to HomeAdvisor's 2025 cost data, the national average for rekeying is $40-$100 per lock. Our pricing includes the service call, which many locksmiths in South Florida charge separately at $50-$75.

When Should You Rekey Your Locks?

Anytime someone who had a key no longer needs access. There's no calendar schedule. It's event-driven. The most common triggers we see:

• Just bought a house: You have no idea how many key copies exist. The previous owner, their realtor, their cleaning service, their dog walker, their ex. Rekey everything.
• Tenant moved out: Property managers should rekey between every lease. See our tenant lock change service for volume pricing.
• Lost a key: If you can't account for a key, someone else might have it. Rekeying is cheap insurance.
• Breakup or roommate change: Anyone who lived with you probably has a key copy. Change the pins.
• Fired a service provider: Contractor, house cleaner, pet sitter. If they had a key, rekey.

According to the National Association of Realtors, over 5.4 million existing homes sold in the US in 2025. Every single one should have been rekeyed. Most weren't.

When Should You Replace Instead of Rekeying?

Replace when the physical hardware is compromised. Rekeying a lock that's rusted, loose, or worn out just gives you new keys to a bad lock. Here's when replacement makes more sense:

• The deadbolt doesn't throw smoothly
• The knob or lever wobbles
• The finish is corroded from South Florida salt air
• The lock is builder-grade (ANSI Grade 3) and you want better security
• You want to upgrade to a smart lock or keypad lock

If you're not sure, we'll tell you honestly when we arrive. We don't push replacement when rekeying will do the job. See our rekey vs replace guide for a detailed comparison.

Can You Rekey All My Locks to One Key?

Yes. That's called keying alike and we do it all the time. We repin every lock in your house to the same key pattern. One key opens every door. Front door, back door, garage entry, side gate. All one key. It's included in the standard rekeying price at no extra charge.

Most homeowners love this. Instead of carrying 4 different keys for 4 different doors, you carry one. We can also set up a master key system if you need different people to have access to different doors (common for duplexes and small rental properties).

What Lock Brands Can You Rekey?

All major residential brands. We carry pin kits and key blanks for Schlage (SC1 and SC4 keyways), Kwikset (KW1 and KW10), Yale, Baldwin, Emtek, Weiser, Medeco, Mul-T-Lock, and dozens more.

Kwikset SmartKey locks have a DIY rekeying feature, but it requires the current working key and a special tool. If you don't have the current key (like when you just bought the house and the old owner didn't leave keys), you need us to pick the lock first and then rekey it. We handle SmartKey rekeying regularly.

Can You Rekey a Lock If All Keys Are Lost?

Yes. We don't need an existing key to rekey. We pick or bypass the lock to remove the cylinder, then repin it with a completely new pin configuration. You get new keys that work. The old keys (wherever they are) become useless. Takes about 5 extra minutes per lock compared to a standard rekey.

This is common when people buy a foreclosure or estate sale property. No keys came with the house. We open every door, rekey every lock, and hand you a fresh set of keys. All done in one visit.

Where Does Triton Locksmith Provide Rekeying Service?

Across 48 cities in Broward and Palm Beach counties. Our busiest rekeying areas are Boca Raton (high home turnover), Coral Springs (family communities), Coconut Creek (Wynmoor condo complex), and Fort Lauderdale (downtown condos). We respond in about 20 minutes from our three mobile units.

Property managers who need regular rekeying between tenants should ask about our volume pricing. We work with over 30 management companies and offer priority scheduling and invoicing for commercial accounts. Call (561) 524-8500 to set up an account.

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