Lock Rekeying Service in San Diego
New keys for the locks you already have, done at your door in under an hour for most homes. The old keys stop working the moment we're finished.
Quick answer
Rekeying changes the pins inside your existing lock so it works with a new key and rejects every old one. Action Locksmith San Diego rekeys homes, apartments, rentals and businesses anywhere in the city of San Diego, usually in a single visit, and can key every door to one key. See typical rekey prices or call (619) 304-9446.
Typical price: $120 to $250 (whole-house rekey, 2 to 4 doors). See all prices or get a quote.
What a rekey includes
Every exterior door
Front, back, side, garage service door and any gate lock that shares a compatible keyway.
Keyed alike
One key for every door, so you carry one key instead of four.
New keys cut on site
Tell us how many copies you want. We cut them on the van before we leave.
Lock check and lubrication
Every lock is taken apart anyway, so we clean it, check for wear and tell you if anything is on its way out.
Deadbolts, knobs, levers and handlesets
Most residential brands can be rekeyed. Smart locks with a key cylinder can too.
Mailbox and cabinet locks
Where the lock allows it. Some small locks are cheaper to replace, and we'll say so.
When you should rekey
- You just bought a home. You have no idea how many copies the previous owners, their agent, their contractors and their neighbors have.
- You moved into a rental. Same problem, and most San Diego landlords allow it or will pay for it.
- A key was lost or stolen, especially with anything that ties it to your address.
- A roommate, tenant, employee, ex or contractor no longer needs access.
- You've handed out so many copies you've lost track.
- You want one key for every door instead of a ring full of them.
Rekey or replace?
Rekey when the locks are in good shape and you just need different keys to work. It's faster and cheaper than replacement and it makes every old key useless. Replace when a lock is worn, corroded, outdated, or not secure enough for the door it's on. In beach neighborhoods like Ocean Beach and Mission Beach we see a lot of locks that are too pitted from salt air to be worth rekeying; in Clairemont or Mira Mesa the same lock is usually fine. We'll tell you which you need on the phone, and we'd rather rekey for less than sell hardware you don't need. Details on lock change and deadbolt installation.
How a rekey works
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1
Call with your door count
Tell us how many exterior doors you have and how many keys you want. We'll quote the whole job on the phone.
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2
We rekey at your door
Each lock comes off, the cylinder is re-pinned to a new key, and it goes back on. About ten minutes per lock.
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3
Test every door, take your keys
You try the new key in every lock and confirm the old ones no longer work before we leave.
Rekeys for landlords and vacation rentals
If you turn over tenants or guests regularly, rekeying between every one adds up. Property managers and rental owners get a better deal with a keypad smart lock, where you change the code from your phone, or with a simple master key system. See our property manager and vacation rental services and smart lock installation.
Lock Rekeying across San Diego
Available in every neighborhood in the city of San Diego. Areas where we do this job most:
Related services
Lock Change & Deadbolt Installation
New deadbolts, knobs, levers and handlesets, installed straight and keyed the way you want.
Typically $150 to $275 Lock Change detailsSmart Lock Installation
Keypad and app-controlled locks for homes, ADUs and vacation rentals, installed and programmed.
Typically $100 to $200 Smart Locks detailsHouse Lockout Service
Locked out of your house, condo or apartment? Damage-free entry, day or night, plus a spare key before we leave.
Typically $75 to $175 House Lockout detailsAll residential locksmith services · Locksmith prices · Property managers & rentals
Rekeying questions
How long does rekeying take?
About ten minutes per lock once we're on site. A typical San Diego house with two to four exterior doors is done in under an hour.
Can all my locks be keyed to one key?
Usually. The locks need to share a compatible keyway, which most same-brand residential locks do. If one door doesn't match we'll tell you and give you options, including swapping that one cylinder.
Do I need to be there?
Someone with authority over the property does. For rentals we'll want the landlord's OK or a lease in your name.
Is rekeying as secure as new locks?
Against old keys, yes, completely. Rekeying doesn't change how strong the lock is against picking or force, so if the lock itself is weak we'll suggest a Grade 1 deadbolt instead.
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Read the guideNeed lock rekeying in San Diego?
Call for a price and a time, or send a quote request with a photo of the lock, door or key.