Is it better to rekey or change locks?

If you're looking to get better security of your locks, changing them to new, higher security ones will be the way to go. Due to the extremely low price of the key pins in the locks, rekeying is almost always much cheaper than getting your locks changed.
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Is it easier to rekey or change locks?

But, while most homeowners already have the tools they need to change locks, rekeying them can require special tools, and those can be expensive. That's why it's easier for most homeowners to hire a locksmith to rekey their locks.
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How much does it cost to have door locks rekeyed?

Rekeying Home Locks

Rekeying locks on your home typically costs $80 to $160. If you call the locksmith to your home, you might pay a trip fee of $50 to $100. The cost to rekey is $30 to $60 per lock, bringing you to that total. Rekeying is different and more affordable than replacing the locks.
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Should you rekey a house when you buy it?

Changing the locks (also referred to as rekeying the locks) on a new home is always a good idea, since you really can't be sure who has access to the property otherwise. The phrase for this is key control, which refers to the ability to be able to account for each of the keys to your home and who has them.
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Should I change the locks after buying a house?

When you move into a new home, you should change the locks on your house. You have no idea how many copies of the house keys are floating around out there from the previous homeowners, so changing the locks will keep your new house more secure. Tom recommends changing the locks whenever a new home is purchased.
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Is it cheaper to rekey or replace locks? | Mr. Locksmith™ Video



Can all locks be rekeyed?

You can rekey all of your locks to match an existing key when the locks all have the same keyway. You can test if the locks use the same keyway by taking the existing key you want to use and seeing if it slides into the keyholes of the locks you want to match that key.
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Can you rekey a lock yourself?

How Rekeying a Lock Works. When you rekey a lock by yourself, you will need to purchase a rekey kit that is specific to your brand of doorknob, lever, or deadbolt. You will receive several keys (often between three and six keys), all identically cut.
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Can I change a lock myself?

Changing the locks is a quick, cheap and easy way to get peace of mind about your living situation. It requires little technical skill and no tools fancier than a screwdriver to replace the common deadbolt.
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Is it cheaper to rekey locks?

Rekeying your lock is almost always cheaper than replacing a lock. This is because of the cheaper price of the key pins inside the locks, whereas when you replace a lock, you are paying for all brand-new parts.
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Why do locksmiths charge so much?

Removing old locks, cutting new keys and installing new locking mechanisms requires a lot of time, effort and expertise. In addition, locksmiths rely on professional equipment and tools that are expensive and complicated to operate.
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How do you rekey an entire house?

How to Rekey a Lock
  1. Step 1: Remove the Doorknob. The first step is to remove the doorknob from the door. ...
  2. Step 2: Remove the Cylinder. ...
  3. Step 3: Take Out the C-Clip. ...
  4. Step 4: Attach Key Plug. ...
  5. Step 5: Dump the Old Pins. ...
  6. Step 6: Insert New Pins. ...
  7. Step 7: Replace the Plug. ...
  8. Step 8: Reattach Knob to Door.
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When should I change my locks?

5 Times You Should Change Your Locks
  1. Moving Into a New Home. It's a good idea to change the locks when you move into a new home – even if the house is new construction. ...
  2. Someone Moves Out. ...
  3. After a Break-In. ...
  4. After Losing Your Keys. ...
  5. It's Been Awhile.
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Should you change locks if you lose keys?

A locksmith will recommend you change your door locks if you lose your keys as a security prevention. Changing your locks after losing your keys will stop anyone from accessing your home who does not have permission to.
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Can Schlage locks be rekeyed?

Please note, products are not keyed alike across functions. Schlage Rekeying Kits provide everything you need to get the job done—including all the tools and parts you need for repinning the cylinders of most Schlage locksets so that they work with a single key.
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Can you change a lock without changing the door knob?

If you love your existing knobs and don't want to replace the entire set, you can simply rekey the lock with a kit labelled for its brand. Have no fear if your knob lock is fine, but your deadbolt needs to be replaced. Changing a deadbolt is even easier than switching out your knobs.
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Should I key all my locks the same?

The best time to have your locks keyed alike could be as follows: Moved into a new house – looking to change all the locks. Have lost your keys – locksmiths always recommend to change the locks when losing keys – so having your locks keyed alike at the time is a good idea )
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Can Schlage and Kwikset be keyed alike?

This is because Schlage and Kwikset locks are not compatible with the same type of key. Their keyways are made differently, therefore you will either want to have all Schlage locks or all Kwikset locks. When you're at home, you don't want to use different keys for each lock you own.
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