Rekeying vs. replacing your locks
A pin-tumbler lock opens when the right key lifts a set of small pins to exactly the right height. When we rekey a lock, we take the cylinder apart, replace those pins with a new combination, and cut you new keys to match. The lock body, handle and finish stay the same. Old keys simply stop working.
Rekeying usually costs less than replacing hardware and makes sense when your locks are in good shape and you like how they look. Replacing locks makes more sense when hardware is worn out, damaged, low quality, or you want an upgrade like a stronger deadbolt or a keypad lock. We’ll tell you honestly which one fits.
When to rekey
- You just bought a house. Previous owners, their relatives, contractors, dog walkers and real estate lockboxes may all have had keys. Rekeying on move-in day is one of the cheapest security steps you can take.
- A key is lost or stolen, especially if it was on a ring with anything showing your address.
- A tenant or roommate moved out. Landlords and property managers rekey between occupants so the next tenant starts fresh.
- After a break-in. If a lock was picked, bumped or forced, we re-pin or repair it, check the strike and door frame, and make sure old keys no longer work.
- Too many keys. We can key all your exterior doors alike, so one key opens the front, back, garage entry door and deadbolts.
What we rekey
Front and back door knobs and levers, deadbolts, sliding patio door locks, garage entry doors, garage door locks, mailbox locks, storm doors, and commercial lock cylinders. For businesses and multi-unit buildings, rekeying is often combined with a master key system so managers carry one key while each tenant’s key opens only their door.
Landlords and property managers
For rental turnovers, we can come out between tenants, rekey the unit, and leave labeled keys. If you manage several properties around Charlottesville, call Kyle to talk about scheduling turnovers so they don’t hold up move-ins. See our commercial locksmith services for larger buildings.
How a rekey appointment works
Call (434) 297-3223 with how many locks and doors you have. We come to the property, rekey each cylinder on site, test every lock with the new keys, and hand them over. Most homes are done in a single visit.