If you just closed on a house in Atlanta, you have no way of knowing how many keys to it are still out there. The previous owners had some. So might their relatives, a dog walker, a cleaning service, or the contractor who redid the deck. Rekeying the locks makes every one of those keys useless, and it costs less than new hardware.
Rekeying is not always the right call, though. Sometimes the lock itself has to go.
What rekeying actually does
A standard door lock has a row of small pins inside the cylinder that only line up when the right key goes in. Rekeying swaps those pins for a new set, so the old keys stop turning and a new key opens the lock. The lock itself stays on the door: same handle, same deadbolt, same finish.
With us, rekeying starts at $49 per lock, less than a lock replacement, which starts at $99.
When rekeying is the right call
- You just bought or moved into a home.
- You lost a key, or it was stolen along with something that shows your address, like a wallet or a bag with mail in it.
- A roommate, a tenant, or a former partner moved out and did not return every key.
When to replace the lock instead
- The lock was damaged in a break-in or a forced entry.
- It is worn out: the key sticks, the deadbolt drags, or the cylinder turns loose in the door.
- You want to upgrade your home's security with different hardware, such as a sturdier deadbolt.
Lock replacement with us starts at $99. We confirm the final price before any work begins, and every starting price is on our pricing page.
| Rekey | Replace | |
|---|---|---|
| What changes | The pins inside the cylinder | The whole lock |
| Old keys | Stop working | Stop working |
| Your hardware | Stays on the door | New hardware goes on |
| Starting price | Starting at $49 | Starting at $99 |
| Best for | A new home, lost keys, someone moving out | Damage, wear, or an upgrade |
What changes the price of a rekey
The cost of rekeying depends on the number of locks, the lock brand, the type of hardware, and whether any repairs or replacement parts are needed. We give you the price before any work begins, so you know the exact cost in advance.
Locked out of the house?
House lockouts with us start at $89. Before we open anything, we ask for a valid photo ID and proof of ownership. That rule protects you, because it means we would not open your door for anyone else either.
Own a business?
The same logic applies to storefronts and offices. Rekeying is one of the fastest ways to regain control of your keys after an employee leaves, a tenant moves out, or a master key goes missing, and we handle it along with master key systems on our commercial locksmith calls.
Book a rekey or a lock change
Call (470) 668-2196 and tell us how many doors you have and what brand the locks are, if you know. We work Tuesday through Sunday from 7 AM to 7 PM (Wednesday until 5 PM) across Atlanta and more than 20 surrounding cities. More about our home services is on our residential locksmith page.