Rekey vs. replace locks comes down to one question: is the problem the key or the lock? If the lock works fine and you only need to stop old keys from opening it, rekey it. If the lock itself is worn, damaged or too weak, replace it.
We do both every day across central Houston, and most jobs turn out to be a mix. Here's how to tell which one each of your doors needs, what each costs, and the few cases where Texas law decides for you.
What's the Difference Between Rekeying and Replacing a Lock?
Rekeying changes the inside of the lock, and replacing changes the whole lock. When we rekey, we take the cylinder apart and swap its small pins for a new set cut to match a new key. The lock, the handle and the deadbolt stay on the door. Every old key stops working the moment the new pins go in.
When we replace a lock, the old hardware comes off the door and new hardware goes on. You get new keys, a new mechanism and, if you want, a stronger or better-looking lock.
| Rekey | Replace | |
|---|---|---|
| What changes | The pins inside the cylinder | The whole lock and its hardware |
| Old keys | Stop working | Stop working |
| Security level | Stays the same | Can go up with better hardware |
| Typical Houston price | $25–$50 per lock plus trip | $100–$250 per lock plus hardware |
| Time | A few minutes per lock | About 20 to 30 minutes per door |
For other jobs, from lockouts to new car keys, see how long a locksmith takes.
When Should You Rekey Your Locks?
Rekey when the lock still works smoothly and the only problem is who has a key. That covers most of the calls we get:
- You just bought a house. The sellers, their real estate agents, past contractors and anyone they lent a key to may still have copies. A new-build home is no different, because builders' crews often carry keys while the house is finished.
- A roommate or ex moved out. You can't be sure every copy came back.
- You lost a key ring. Especially if it had your address or car key on it.
- You want one key for every door. If your locks are the same brand, we can rekey them all to one key.
Rekeying gives you the same control as new locks at a fraction of the price, because you aren't paying for new hardware. A whole house typically costs $150 to $300 to rekey, since most homes have three to six locks.
When Should You Replace Your Locks Instead?
Replace a lock when the lock itself is the problem. Rekeying a worn or weak lock just gives you a new key to a lock that will keep causing trouble. Replace it when:
- The key sticks, grinds or needs wiggling. Houston's humidity corrodes springs and pins over time, and once a lock starts fighting you, it usually gets worse.
- The lock is damaged. After a break-in or an attempted forced entry, the bolt, strike or cylinder may be bent even if it still turns.
- It's builder-grade on a door that matters. Many homes come with basic hardware. On a front door or a door from the garage, a sturdier deadbolt is worth the upgrade.
- You want a different kind of lock. A keypad or smart lock, or a lock with keys that can't be copied at a kiosk, means new hardware.
- The lock can't be rekeyed. Some low-cost locks are sealed, and some specialty locks need factory parts.
Rekey vs. Replace: Typical Houston Prices
Mid-point of the typical range, per lock, before hardware
- Rekey, per lock$38
- Lock change, per lock$175
Rekey: $25–$50 per lock plus the trip. Lock change: $100–$250 per lock plus the new hardware. Every job is quoted in full before work starts.
Is It Cheaper to Rekey or Replace Locks?
Rekeying is almost always cheaper. In Houston it typically costs $25 to $50 per lock plus the trip (price guide). A lock change typically costs $100 to $250 per lock, plus the price of the new hardware. The gap grows with every door, which is why we check each lock before recommending anything. The full list of typical prices is in our Houston locksmith price guide.
Most homes end up with a mix: we rekey the locks that work well and replace the one or two that are worn or weak. That keeps the bill down without leaving a bad lock on a door you depend on.
Do Texas Landlords Have to Rekey Between Tenants?
Yes. Texas Property Code §92.156 requires a landlord to rekey a rental's locks no later than the seventh day after each tenant turnover. That covers locks opened by a key, a card or a combination, and the landlord pays for it. A tenant can also ask for more rekeys during the lease, at the tenant's expense.
The turnover date is the day a new tenant moves in after every previous occupant has moved out, as the Texas Realtors legal FAQ explains. So if one roommate leaves and another stays, the rule isn't triggered, though rekeying is still a good idea.
That's why property managers almost always rekey rather than replace between tenants: it meets the rule quickly and cheaply. If you're a renter who just moved in, you can ask your landlord to confirm the locks were rekeyed. If you manage several units, our commercial lock change and rekey service handles make-ready rekeys on a schedule.
What Does a Locksmith Check Before Deciding?
We look at each door on its own, because the answer is often different for the front door and the back door. Four things decide it:
- How the key turns. A smooth turn means the cylinder is healthy and can be rekeyed. Grinding or sticking means worn parts.
- How far the bolt throws. A deadbolt should slide all the way out and stay there. If it stops short, the lock or the door is the problem.
- How the door lines up. Houston's clay soil swells in wet months and shrinks in dry ones, and the foundation movement can pull a door out of line. Then the bolt rubs the strike plate, and the lock feels broken when it isn't. Moving the strike plate often fixes it without a new lock.
- What the lock is made of. A solid deadbolt on a front door is worth keeping. A thin builder-grade lock on a door from the garage is worth upgrading.
Should I Rekey or Change My Locks After a Break-In?
After a break-in, look at the damage before you decide. If the thief kicked or pried the door, the bolt, the strike or the frame may be bent even when the key still turns, and that lock should be replaced. If the thief got in another way, or took your keys, rekeying every exterior lock is enough to cut off those keys.
Either way, it's worth reinforcing the strike plate on the doors that were attacked. Long screws that reach the wall framing make a door much harder to kick in than the short screws most strike plates come with. We do that on the same visit.
Rekey or Replace a Smart Lock?
Most smart locks have two ways in: a code or an app, and a backup key. Changing the codes in the app takes care of the first one, and the backup key cylinder needs rekeying like any other lock. Many brands use a standard cylinder that we can rekey. A few need the manufacturer's own parts, and if a smart lock keeps dropping its connection or draining batteries, replacing it is usually the better fix. Our smart lock installation service covers both.
Rekey vs. Replace Locks: A Quick Way to Decide
Rekey or Replace: Decide in Four Questions
- Does the key turn smoothly and the bolt lock fully? If not, replace.
- Was the lock damaged in a break-in or forced entry? If yes, replace.
- Is it a lock you'd trust on that door, or basic builder-grade hardware on a door that matters? If you don't trust it, replace.
- Everything above checks out? Rekey it, and every old key stops working.
Need Your Locks Rekeyed or Changed in Houston?
Tell us how many doors you have and what's going on with them. We'll tell you which ones only need rekeying and which need new locks, and you get the full price before we start. We do the work in one visit anywhere inside the 610 Loop, 24 hours a day. See our rekey service and lock change service for how each one works.
