People usually call asking for new locks when what they actually need is a rekey. The two solve different problems, and picking the wrong one either costs more than it should or leaves the original problem in place.
What rekeying does
Rekeying changes the pins inside the existing cylinder so a new key works and every old key stops working. The lock stays on the door. Nothing visible changes.
It takes a few minutes per lock, uses almost no parts, and can usually bring several doors onto a single key at the same time. If your concern is who has a copy, rekeying answers it completely.
What replacing does
Replacing swaps the hardware for something different — newer, stronger, better looking, or with features the old lock never had. It costs more because you are buying hardware as well as labour.
It is the right answer when the lock itself is the problem, not just the keys.
Choose rekeying when
- You just bought the house and want the previous owner's keys retired.
- A tenant, employee, or contractor has moved on.
- A key was lost or stolen.
- You want one key for the front, back, and garage-entry doors.
- The hardware itself works fine.
Choose replacement when
- The lock is stiff, loose, grinding, or needs the key jiggled.
- Someone has forced or damaged the door or hardware.
- There is only a knob lock on an exterior door and no deadbolt.
- You want a keypad or smart lock.
- The hardware is a mismatched collection from years of one-off fixes.
- It is a commercial door that needs a heavier grade than what is on it.
The move-in case, specifically
After a closing, rekey. Agents, builders, cleaners, previous owners, and their relatives have all plausibly had a key, and there is no way to count them. Rekeying every exterior door is one short visit and it is the cheapest security decision available to a new owner.
If, while you are at it, the back door lock has always been rough or there is no deadbolt on the garage entry, that is the moment to fix it too — the visit is already happening.
Need a locksmith in Centennial or nearby?
SOS Locksmith Centennial covers Centennial, Littleton, Lone Tree, Highlands Ranch, Englewood, and Greenwood Village. Calling is the fastest way to get a price and a time.