The work
What rekeying actually involves
Changing which key works, without changing the lock
Rekeying replaces the pins inside the existing cylinder so it accepts a different key. The hardware stays on the door, it takes a few minutes per lock, and it costs a fraction of replacement.
It is the right answer whenever the concern is who might hold a key: moving into a house, a tenant changing, a set of keys lost, a relationship ending, or builders handing back.
It is also the moment to get every exterior lock onto one key if they are not already. Most cylinders of a similar type can be keyed alike, and it costs almost nothing extra while somebody is already doing the work.
Moving in
You have no idea how many keys exist to a house you just bought
Between previous owners, their family, tradespeople, cleaners, neighbours and agents, the number of keys to any given house is unknown and usually larger than anybody assumes.
Rekeying every exterior lock on the day you get the keys costs very little and settles the question permanently.
It is worth doing even on a new build, where keys have circulated among trades for months and the builder's system may still work.
Failure points
Two things that go wrong
Replacement quoted where rekeying would do
“Can these cylinders be rekeyed, and if you are recommending replacement, why?”
Selling new hardware is more profitable than rekeying, and on a sound lock in good condition it is unnecessary. Replacement is genuinely warranted when the lock is worn, damaged or too weak a grade, not merely because the key changed.
Restricted keyways and future copies
“Who can cut copies of this key, and what do I need to prove to get one?”
High security cylinders often use patented keys that can only be duplicated by an authorised dealer with proof of authorisation. That is the security benefit and it is also a practical constraint, so it is worth understanding before you fit them.
Before you book rekeying
How we rank →Six checks, in the order they save you the most. None of them takes longer than a phone call, and the first one is the reason two quotes for the same job can be a thousand apart.
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All guides →How to Hire a Locksmith in New Jersey You Can Verify
Dana Whitfield · September 2026
Common questions about rekeying
Who handles rekeying?
Rekeying is handled by locksmiths. Not every company in the trade takes this work on, so each ranking lists the services a company genuinely performs rather than everything it advertises.
What should I ask before booking rekeying?
Ask what the quote includes and excludes, who is doing the work, whether a permit is needed and who is pulling it, and what the workmanship warranty covers. Get the answers in writing before anyone starts.
How do I compare quotes for this?
Put them on one sheet line by line. Differences in price almost always turn out to be differences in scope, material grade or warranty length rather than margin.
Is rekeying priced separately from the rest of the job?
Usually it is a line inside a larger quote rather than its own invoice, which is exactly why the exclusions matter. Ask for it itemised so you can compare that line between companies instead of comparing two totals.
For locksmith
Do you offer rekeying?
Claim your profile so the services you actually perform are the ones recorded here, alongside your licence, hours and coverage. Neither claiming nor advertising buys a ranked position.