Rekey ($25/lock) if the hardware is solid and you just need new keys. Replace ($85+) if the lock is damaged, corroded, or you want a security upgrade.
A homeowner on Bennett Valley Road called us last month and asked the question we hear three times a week: should I rekey or replace? She had just moved in and wanted fresh security but did not want to spend more than necessary. The answer depends on three things: the condition of your current hardware, what you are trying to accomplish, and your budget.
What Rekeying Actually Does
Rekeying changes the pins inside your existing lock cylinder so old keys stop working and new keys take over. The lock body, deadbolt, and exterior hardware stay the same. Takes about 15 minutes per lock, costs $25 per cylinder. We carry rekeying kits for Schlage, Kwikset, Yale, Baldwin, and Medeco in every van. After rekeying, you get two new keys per lock and the old keys are permanently dead. A property manager on Santa Rosa Avenue rekeys 10 units a year this way — same Schlage deadbolts from 2008, still working fine.
When to Rekey Instead of Replace
Rekey when the lock hardware is still solid but you need new keys. Common situations: you just moved in, a roommate moved out, you lost a key and do not know who found it, or a contractor had temporary access during a renovation. Also rekey if you want all your exterior doors on one key — we pin every lock to the same code so one key opens everything. This is the most common residential call we get in Sonoma County and the most cost-effective security upgrade.
When to Replace the Entire Lock
Replace when the lock is physically damaged, visibly corroded, over 15 years old, a basic knob lock with no deadbolt, or you want to upgrade to smart or high-security hardware. A rusted Kwikset deadbolt on an exterior door in Bodega Bay is not worth rekeying — the salt air has corroded the internal springs and it will fail within a year regardless. Replace it with a fresh Grade 2 deadbolt for $85 installed. If you want keyless entry, replace with a Schlage Encode or Yale smart lock starting at $95 installed.
Cost Comparison Side by Side
Rekeying: $25 per lock, 15 minutes, same hardware. A 4-lock house costs $100 total. Replacing with standard deadbolt: $85 per lock, 20 minutes, new hardware. A 4-lock house costs $340. Replacing with smart lock: $95 to $250 per lock depending on brand. The right answer for most move-ins is rekey. The right answer for damaged or outdated hardware is replace. We look at your locks and give you an honest recommendation — we do not push replacements when a $25 rekey does the job. Call (707) 775-7069 for a free assessment.