Rekeying your locks is one of the smartest and most affordable ways to improve your home security. If you have recently moved into a new home in Petaluma, gone through a roommate change in Santa Rosa, or lost a set of keys in Healdsburg, rekeying should be at the top of your list. Here is everything Sonoma County homeowners need to know.
What Is Rekeying and How Does It Work?
We rekeyed a 6-lock house on Farmers Lane last Thursday. Previous owner had given keys to the dog walker, the housecleaner, and two neighbors. That is four people with copies floating around. Rekeying is the process of changing the internal pins inside a lock cylinder so that old keys no longer work and new keys do. The locksmith removes the lock cylinder, replaces the pin tumblers to match a new key, and reinstalls the cylinder. The entire process takes about 10 to 15 minutes per lock. Your existing lock hardware stays in place. Only the internal mechanism changes. This makes rekeying significantly cheaper than replacing the entire lock, typically costing around $25 to $40 per cylinder in Sonoma County.
When Should You Rekey Your Locks?
There are several situations where rekeying makes sense. The most common is moving into a new home — you have no idea how many copies of the key the previous owner made or who has them. You should also rekey after a breakup or roommate change, after losing your keys, after a break-in or attempted break-in, when you hire or let go of a housekeeper or contractor who had a key, or when you want all the locks in your home to work with the same key. Homeowners across Sonoma County, from Cotati to Windsor to Sonoma, call us regularly for rekeying after a move.
Rekeying vs. Replacing Locks
Rekeying is the right choice when your existing locks are in good condition and you simply want to change who has access. It costs a fraction of lock replacement. Replacing locks makes more sense when your hardware is old, worn, damaged, or you want to upgrade to a higher-security grade. For example, if your Sebastopol home has builder-grade locks that are 20 years old, replacing them with Grade 2 deadbolts is a better investment. We can help you decide during a free consultation.
Can You Rekey Your Own Locks Without a Locksmith?
Rekeying kits exist at hardware stores, but we generally do not recommend them for homeowners without experience. The pin tumblers are tiny and easy to lose, and an incorrectly rekeyed lock may not function properly. Worse, it may appear to lock but not actually secure your door. A professional locksmith has the tools and training to rekey your locks correctly the first time. Given that the cost starts at just $25 per lock in Sonoma County, the peace of mind is well worth it.