Rekeying locks has somewhat gone out of trend. Many people are unaware of this process- the only thing that comes to their mind when they lose their keys or move into another house is to replace the locks altogether. They do not know that rekeying the lock is a much cheaper and more efficient solution.
So, what is rekeying?
Rekeying locks means altering the locks’ inner mechanism so that you can use another key with it. Here, the locksmith has to reconfigure the lock to allow you to use the same lock but with a different key. This also means that once the lock is rekeyed, you cannot use the old key to open the lock. Besides this, rekeying also means you can use a single key for multiple locks- this is great if you need only a few people to access the premises.
What’s the difference between rekeying and replacing the locks?
When it comes to securing a new property, rekeying is generally cheaper than replacing the locks. This is because you may need to invest in a new set of locks or alter your doors to accommodate the new locks. Though you could replace the locks yourself, rekeying is a better option as you can use the same old locks with a new set of keys.
Factors that influence the cost of rekeying locks
Usually, there is no fixed cost to rekeying. It all depends on several factors-
The lock’s complexity- As you may know, each lock manufacturer makes locks usually with a different mechanism. To Rekey locks, the locksmith would need to understand the lock’s make. Besides this, some locks need to be removed to rekey it. This could be a complex task if the lock is inside a door. The locksmith will need to use his skills to remove the lock without damaging it. Also, each lock model has a different rekeying process, the time it takes to rekey a lock could vary based on this too.
The number of locks to be rekeyed- If you want multiple locks to open with a single key, this could take a lot of time, money, and effort on the locksmith’s part. For instance, if you want 1 key to work for 4 locks, this essentially means the locksmith would need to rekey 4 locks to fit a common configuration for a particular set of keys. Many commercial and residential properties use this kind of ‘master key’ system for convenience and ease of use.
Lock variation- Usually, people do not buy the same make of locks for every door. If you have multiple locks from various manufacturers that need to be rekeyed, the whole process can take a lot of time and effort.
Your location- If the locksmith has to travel a great distance to rekey the lock on-site, this can increase the costs significantly.
Do you have the original key?- Sometimes, when the original key for the lock isn’t available, the locksmith will have to first pick the lock and then proceed with rekeying and key duplication. This could increase the time and cost a lot.
Can you get the lock to the locksmith? – If this is possible, you could save yourself a lot of money. This eliminates the cost of getting the locksmith to your premises, his time to work on-site or remove the lock, and much more.
Why is rekeying not that popular these days?
Earlier, before electronic locks came into the picture, most people depended on regular keys and locks for their home’s security. Just as we have neighborhood doctors, grocers, and other utilities, locksmiths were quite ubiquitous.
These days, the newer generation does not know much about locks and their mechanisms. They think replacing the locks or having a central locking system would be ideal for them. They do not realize that they could save a ton of money if they rekeyed their locks and used a single key for all of them.
Generally, most house locksmiths would be able to do any rekeying work. If you live near Phoenix, Arizona, you could contact Desert Locksmith. They know very well how to rekey even the most challenging and complex locks.
