Rekeying vs. Changing Locks: What is Your Best Option?

Rekeying vs. Changing Locks: What is Your Best Option?

Rekeying a door lock is an option available to homeowners, and in some situations, it may be preferable to replacing the complete door lock. You don't need to worry about how you'll be able to decide which option is finest for your house.

We will guide you through this question and find the correct response. To accomplish this, we'll examine what lock replacement and rekeying entail, how they affect your doors and your house, and other important aspects that could affect your choice.

So, let’s discuss rekeying vs changing locks. 

When it is mandatory to change a lock? 

The old locking door hardware is removed and replaced with new hardware when you change a lock, either by yourself or by a locksmith. Although upgrading your locks can be expensive and isn't always essential, you'll have all new locks and all new keys. 

The same holds true if you wish to switch out your old locks for newer, safer, or updated electronic ones. You might need to alter the locks if you want to be able to open all the doors on your house with a single key but they currently all have various brands of locks. 

Although a locksmith might be able to rekey a lock without the key if you've misplaced it, changing the lock may be more cost-effective.

When it is mandatory to rekey?

The following two scenarios need for rekeying locks:

  •  If you are satisfied with your locks but wish to replace the key so that the previous key is no longer functional. For instance:
  •  If you recently relocated and are unsure of who else has the key.

You misplaced your key and are concerned that someone might locate it. Want to stop anyone with the key from entering.

When you want all of your locks to work with a single key yet you have several keys for various locks. (Since every lock has the same brand or keyhole)

 

 

Why Hire a Locksmith? 

Some more modern lock types allow you to quickly rekey them at home without taking them apart or calling a locksmith. These locks are becoming in popularity as technology advances, but they still have certain drawbacks. 

Therefore, if rekeying a lock isn't something you do frequently, we advise leaving your door's standard locks in place for the time being.

Tips for Hiring the Best Locksmith 

As soon as you pay for any locksmith services, make sure to receive a receipt. Although the vast majority of locksmiths are trustworthy people, there are some who do try to con people. 

You'll want to receive high-quality service and supporting documentation. Should there be any doubts regarding your payment, keep your receipt secure.

Not all locksmiths have competence with all types of locks, which is an important factor to take into account before selecting one. 

For instance, some locksmiths specialize in automotive locks while others specialize in domestic and residential locks. Make certain the locksmith you pick has knowledge in the field in which you require assistance.

Before allowing a locksmith inside your house, check his credentials. One approach to do this is to compare the phone number to the business's address that you have located. 

Take advantage of how simple it is to research someone and determine their reliability thanks to the Internet's extensive reach!

 

Quick FAQs

Q1: Is it better to rekey or change locks?           

As changing your locks is typically more expensive than having them rekeyed, you should only do so if you desire or need new ones. For instance, replacing your locks rather than rekeying them will be a preferable choice if they are old and worn out.  So, must consider this when it comes to changing locks vs rekeying debate.

Q2: What is rekey?           

You might gain some understanding of the procedure and how it functions from the name "rekey." In essence, you're attempting to change the lock's internal mechanisms so that it can open with a new key while maintaining your home's security.

You must concentrate on the lock cylinder and the key pins that are kept inside it in order to rekey a lock. These are the primary elements that must be altered and reorganized in order to rekey a lock.

Q3: What is the estimated cost of changing locks on a house?             

For the hardware alone, new locks typically cost between $40 to $800 and the locksmith usually cost less that that. However, a lot of door locks have installation instructions and are suitable for do-it-yourselfers.

Q4: What is difference between rekeying and changing locks

When it comes to rekey vs new locks, the process of replacing a lock is straightforward: the locksmith replaces your current lock with a new one. Rekeying, on the other hand, is a little different since the locksmith keeps the same lock but changes the working key.

The Bottom Line

Nothing can assist people decide what to choose better than a good, old-fashioned debate. 

If you believe that one of these approaches is better than the other after reading this, read it again and reconsider your position. Depending on the problem you need to tackle, any of these approaches is an excellent choice.

Leave a comment