Rekeying Costs

[MissPeach]

I'm about to close on a new house and am largely a newbie on most repairs other than painting.

The seller paid for a home warranty that covers re-keying for a $75 service call. I don't mind learning how to do it but I already have a lot on my plate and I have no idea now much equipment would cost to do this versus the service call. If it's close I'm thinking I should just spend my time elsewhere.

There is a front and back door. Looks like a plain knob and separate deadbolt on both doors. There are a few sliding doors but nothing with an existing external lock. I have some basic screwdrivers and such but no specialty tools. What would I expect to buy locks and tools for this?

[Papa bear]

So I basically DIY everything I can and rebuild houses.  I’ve never actually re keyed a lock. Like actually pulled out the tumbler and changed the pins.   Lowe’s and depot used to do it for $5 per lock, so in your case, 4 locks, 20$.

Now, on rentals, I’ve been moving toward the quikset quickkey that rekeys the lock with no special tools.

All of this to say, take the locks somewhere to rekey or use the home warranty.  It’s not worth your time or money to buy the tools, learn, and diy it.


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[ixtap]

So I basically DIY everything I can and rebuild houses.  I’ve never actually re keyed a lock. Like actually pulled out the tumbler and changed the pins.   Lowe’s and depot used to do it for $5 per lock, so in your case, 4 locks, 20$.

Now, on rentals, I’ve been moving toward the quikset quickkey that rekeys the lock with no special tools.

All of this to say, take the locks somewhere to rekey or use the home warranty.  It’s not worth your time or money to buy the tools, learn, and diy it.


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I would further say, use the home warranty, it isn't worth the time to remove and replace the locks.

Or, to be frank, most of us don't bother rekeying when we move in.

[Papa bear]

Now, if you mean you want to just replace the locks? Then you can run up to the store, buy new locks, and install everything with a Phillips screwdriver.   Not hard.


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[MissPeach]

So I basically DIY everything I can and rebuild houses.  I’ve never actually re keyed a lock. Like actually pulled out the tumbler and changed the pins.   Lowe’s and depot used to do it for $5 per lock, so in your case, 4 locks, 20$.

Now, on rentals, I’ve been moving toward the quikset quickkey that rekeys the lock with no special tools.

All of this to say, take the locks somewhere to rekey or use the home warranty.  It’s not worth your time or money to buy the tools, learn, and diy it.


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I would further say, use the home warranty, it isn't worth the time to remove and replace the locks.

Or, to be frank, most of us don't bother rekeying when we move in.

The former owners live across the street. While it's probably fine I have concerns about who has access. The service call for having the home warranty do it is $75 which seems steep to me. I wasn't sure whether to change the pins, barrels, or entire locks.

My dad had re-keyed the last time I bought a house and I think he came over with something like the kwik keys but he no longer lives locally.

[TomTX]

So I basically DIY everything I can and rebuild houses.  I’ve never actually re keyed a lock. Like actually pulled out the tumbler and changed the pins.   Lowe’s and depot used to do it for $5 per lock, so in your case, 4 locks, 20$.

Home Depot did ours for $5/lock as well. As a side benefit, I made sure all the locks were keyed the same, no separate/different key between the handle lock and deadbolt.

We do have a different key for the bedrooms (all bedrooms the same though!) - maintains some privacy if you travel and have someone come take care of pets/whatever.

[ctuser1]

Are you going to live in this house?

If so, I would rather replace all the locks with my own than re-key the old lock.

I got these:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NJJ1MQ

I like them because they are the "dumb" (i.e. as close to hack-proof as possible) keypad deadbolts that still allow keys to be used and has a very high battery life because the actual deadbolt action is entirely manual.

The fun with these locks is you can assign as many 4-digit codes as you want. So, e.g. when I hired a baby-sitter some time ago, I created a unique code for her for just one door and erased that as soon as she stopped working with us.

I presume that they will also be very useful for a rental because you can have a single 6-digit master code for all your rentals.

Of course, you can get a lot more fancy and get all kinds of automatic/smart electronic keypad deadbolts that will talk to Echo and such. However, the fact that this one is a "dumb" one is a feature for me, and not a bug. I prefer physical front-door security to be as low-tech as possible!!

[zolotiyeruki]

Getting locks rekeyed is not something I would use the home warranty for.  You'd be better served by either removing the locks yourself and taking them to the hardware store to be rekeyed ($20), or buying new locksets at $70-100 total.  Removing and installing door handles and deadbolts is super simple, and all you need is a philips head screwdriver.

[EricEng]

Having someone come out and rekey 4-5 locks for $75 actually isn't bad.  It can easily cost 3-4 times that.  Is that including providing new key blanks and cutting them too?

I've done it myself when a pin broke and it is a pain.  To do a full rekey you will need an expensive kit with different wafer sizes. (Linked a name brand and off brand below).  Takes some very fine dexterity.  All the quickset locks also come with extra wafers for the contractor/builder key that are disabled when you buy, but the extra wafer is still bouncing around in there increasing chance something can go wrong.  You could take this chance to insert some security pins against lock picking.
https://www.amazon.com/Schlage-Mini-Dur-x-Pin-Re-keying/dp/B000Q5TQIQ/ref=sr_1_1?
https://www.amazon.com/Compatible-Keyway-Re-Key-Rekeying-Locksmith/dp/B07CMCZVJX/ref=psdc_511316_t1_B000Q5TQIQ

Some regional hardware stores are not permitted to rekey locks unless they sold them to you.  Local locksmith groups lobby against stores taking their money making business away for a fraction of the cost.  Your mileage will vary.
https://www.reddit.com/r/HomeDepot/comments/4i91bq/rekeying_locks_in_d25/

[nereo]

For two doors my preference would be to simply replace the locks- particularly if they are a couple decades old and/or if I wanted a keypad lock or ‘smart-lock’.

Recently replaced our front door with a keypad entry for $70 and it’s wonderful... never have to worry about getting locked out of my house (there’s a key backup as well).  Or as others have said, you can buy traditional “dumb” locks for ~$20 each at any hardware store.

[Sibley]

When I bought my house it cost me something like $500 to rekey all the locks, which included replacing a few because they were clearly worn down (I could tell they were worn), plus one was incompatible with the rest. Now I've got all my exterior locks on one key.

[nereo]

When I bought my house it cost me something like $500 to rekey all the locks, which included replacing a few because they were clearly worn down (I could tell they were worn), plus one was incompatible with the rest. Now I've got all my exterior locks on one key.

How many doors did they do for $500?

[Papa bear]

When I bought my house it cost me something like $500 to rekey all the locks, which included replacing a few because they were clearly worn down (I could tell they were worn), plus one was incompatible with the rest. Now I've got all my exterior locks on one key.

How many doors did they do for $500?

If they replaced 2 at 150 each, that doesn’t sound that outrageous.  But. A lot more than I’ve spent on it!


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[bmjohnson35]

As long as Home Depot carries the brand, they re-keyed ours for free.  Maybe they have changed their policy or our town is small enough to provide better service?

Our latest house came with the style where you can easily re-key yourself. 

[Sibley]

When I bought my house it cost me something like $500 to rekey all the locks, which included replacing a few because they were clearly worn down (I could tell they were worn), plus one was incompatible with the rest. Now I've got all my exterior locks on one key.

How many doors did they do for $500?

If they replaced 2 at 150 each, that doesn’t sound that outrageous.  But. A lot more than I’ve spent on it!


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3 doors (2 with knob and deadbolt, one with just knob). Replaced 2 knobs and a deadbolt. I think I got 6 keys? Local locksmith came to the house. Wasn't the cheapest option, but I had limited time and energy and a LOT to do and it was worth the money to me. He was there the same day as the cleaning service and Comcast, the day before I moved in.

Please note that I'm a single, youngish female who lives alone. I have different safety calculations than men do.

[nereo]

When I bought my house it cost me something like $500 to rekey all the locks, which included replacing a few because they were clearly worn down (I could tell they were worn), plus one was incompatible with the rest. Now I've got all my exterior locks on one key.

How many doors did they do for $500?

If they replaced 2 at 150 each, that doesn’t sound that outrageous.  But. A lot more than I’ve spent on it!


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3 doors (2 with knob and deadbolt, one with just knob). Replaced 2 knobs and a deadbolt. I think I got 6 keys? Local locksmith came to the house. Wasn't the cheapest option, but I had limited time and energy and a LOT to do and it was worth the money to me. He was there the same day as the cleaning service and Comcast, the day before I moved in.

Please note that I'm a single, youngish female who lives alone. I have different safety calculations than men do.

Sounds reasonable for a full-service locksmith.  I think re-keying the exterior locks (or completely replacing them) is a prudent thing for any homeowner to do when they move in.  It’s the low-hanging fruit of home safety - who knows how many people have keys to the old locks?

Replacing locks is a very simple and quick DIY task.  If you are comfortable using a screwdriver, chances are you can replace each lock in about 10 minutes.  At ~$30-40 per exterior door lock-set at most big-box stores, it’s up to the owner to decide whether it’s a better decision to call a locksmith or DIY.

[TomTX]

Replacing locks is a very simple and quick DIY task.  If you are comfortable using a screwdriver, chances are you can replace each lock in about 10 minutes.  At ~$30-40 per exterior door lock-set at most big-box stores, it’s up to the owner to decide whether it’s a better decision to call a locksmith or DIY.

I'd at least make sure to have a utility knife handy - sometimes the inset shape is a bit different and you need to take out a few slivers of wood.

I also take the movein opportunity to replace the ~1/2" long hinge/frame screws with real 3-4" wood screws which anchor into the framing of the house. Much easier if you have an impact driver.

[BikeFanatic]

I would lean towards using the ware tee, I paid over 100 dollars to a local locksmith 15 years ago. He offered to put in longer bolts to prevent door being kicked in. If you are female I would also ask the locksmith what they can do about the sliders also.

[Sibley]

Replacing locks is a very simple and quick DIY task.  If you are comfortable using a screwdriver, chances are you can replace each lock in about 10 minutes.  At ~$30-40 per exterior door lock-set at most big-box stores, it’s up to the owner to decide whether it’s a better decision to call a locksmith or DIY.

I'd at least make sure to have a utility knife handy - sometimes the inset shape is a bit different and you need to take out a few slivers of wood.

I also take the movein opportunity to replace the ~1/2" long hinge/frame screws with real 3-4" wood screws which anchor into the framing of the house. Much easier if you have an impact driver.

My house would make you cry. In retrospect, I should have started a journal here when I bought the house, it would have been amusing. The combination of 100 year old house and lazy/bad DIY in the past is not a good one. The locksmith was here for hours. I got my money's worth. The funny thing is, the doors are not original, so the fact that they were so problematic is hilarious.

[nereo]

Replacing locks is a very simple and quick DIY task.  If you are comfortable using a screwdriver, chances are you can replace each lock in about 10 minutes.  At ~$30-40 per exterior door lock-set at most big-box stores, it’s up to the owner to decide whether it’s a better decision to call a locksmith or DIY.

I'd at least make sure to have a utility knife handy - sometimes the inset shape is a bit different and you need to take out a few slivers of wood.

I also take the movein opportunity to replace the ~1/2" long hinge/frame screws with real 3-4" wood screws which anchor into the framing of the house. Much easier if you have an impact driver.

My house would make you cry. In retrospect, I should have started a journal here when I bought the house, it would have been amusing. The combination of 100 year old house and lazy/bad DIY in the past is not a good one. The locksmith was here for hours. I got my money's worth. The funny thing is, the doors are not original, so the fact that they were so problematic is hilarious.

that could describe my journal...

[MissPeach]

OP Here. I appreciate all the input. I want to rekey on this house especially since it's a tighter knit community, the seller's agent is a neighbor, and the former own moved across the street. I have no idea who has keys here but I suspect there might be another one floating around somewhere.

One of the locks on the place is a good brand and newer lock and the one in the garage is a cheap one and is old and outdated looking too. Plus it uses a different key from the front doot. For two deadbolts it doesn't seem worth paying $75 if all it includes is rekeying. There is a local store down the street that will do that for $20. So the plan is to buy a replacement knob/deadbolt for the garage and have them rekeyed together with the front door. Since I'm not sure what they'll need I'll probably just unscrew the entire deadbolt and bring it over and have someone hang out at home for a bit. Looks like the new deadbolt is about $30 or so.

My last house had 8 doors so if that had been the case I probably would have considered the warranty more closely.