Rekey vs. Replace: Which Is Right for Your Home's Locks?

Rekey and replace sound similar, but they solve different problems at very different prices. Choosing the right one saves money without compromising security. Here is how to decide with confidence.

Rekeying changes the internal pins of your existing lock so the old key no longer works and a new key does. The lock hardware stays on the door; only the key changes. It is the right move when your locks are in good shape but you need key control, such as after moving into a new home, losing a key, or parting ways with a contractor or tenant.

Replacement means installing entirely new lock hardware. Choose this when locks are worn, damaged, corroded, or simply outdated. If your deadbolts are builder-grade, loose in the door, or lack modern security features, new hardware is the smarter investment. A locksmith can assess whether your current locks are worth keeping or ready for retirement.

Cost is where rekeying shines. Rekeying typically costs $20 to $50 per cylinder plus a service call, while replacement adds the price of new hardware, often $40 to $200 per lock before labor. For a whole house with five exterior locks, rekeying can save you several hundred dollars with zero loss of security, as long as the hardware itself is sound.

There is one more scenario worth considering: the upgrade. If you are rekeying anyway, it can be the perfect moment to step up to high-security cylinders or add a keypad deadbolt on the main entry. You are already paying for the service call, so bundling the upgrade keeps the marginal cost low.

Do not forget secondary entries when you rekey. The door between the garage and the house is a common weak point that homeowners overlook. If your garage entry uses a keyed lock, include it in the rekey, and make sure your garage door opener codes and keypads are reset too, since old remotes and codes are just as much of a key-control issue as metal keys.

Either way, the goal is the same: you should know exactly who can open your doors. Rekey for key control on good hardware, replace for worn or weak hardware, and upgrade when you want better security than you started with.