Rekey vs. Replace: Which One Do You Actually Need?

You just moved into a new place. The previous owners gave you the keys, but think about it. Their family had copies. The dog walker. The cleaning service. The neighbor who watered the plants. You have no clue how many copies are out there. So do you rekey or replace?

Rekeying is pretty simple. We change the internal pins inside your existing lock so the old keys stop working. You get fresh keys, but the hardware stays put. It's faster, cheaper, and works perfectly when your locks are in decent shape.

Replacing means we pull the whole lock out and put a new one in. That's the move when your locks are beat up, hard to turn, or you want something better like a higher security grade or a smart lock.

Let's talk money. Rekeying runs $70-150 per lock at Locksmith Auto. Full replacement is $150-300+ depending on what hardware you pick. Got 4 doors with locks that work fine? Rekeying saves you hundreds.

Rekey when: you moved in, lost a key, a roommate left, you let an employee go who had a key, or you just want peace of mind. It's our most common service. Takes about 15 minutes per lock.

Replace when: the lock is visibly messed up, it sticks, it's one of those cheap builder-grade things, or you want smart lock features like keypad entry or app control. We install Schlage, Kwikset, Yale, and other major brands. Not sure which smart lock to pick? Check our smart locks guide for 2026.

Can't decide? Just call us and explain what's going on. We'll tell you straight up which option actually makes sense. No upselling, no games. That's how we've kept a 5.0 Google rating.