One of the most common services that customers contact a locksmith to render for them is replacing a lock. There are several reasons a customer may feel compelled to replace the current locks they have installed in their property. The locks may be worn out, or they may want to prohibit an individual who has previously had possession of their key from having access to their property; especially in the case of new tenants. The total charges inducted for replacing a lock include fees for the locksmith’s travels, the labor of removing the original lock and installing a new one, and the charge for providing the new lock itself. But there IS another option…
It is possible for a locksmith to switch the corresponding keys for a lock without replacing the lock itself. This procedure is referred to as a rekey. The actual process of rendering a rekey mainly revolves around the lock’s internal latching mechanism, which comprises a cylinder full of “locking pins”. These pins shift when the lock’s according key is inserted and turned in the lock to unlatch the lock. By modifying the physical arrangement of these pins, the locksmith effectively renders the original key useless in gaining entry to that lock. The next step is the technician manufacturing a new key that matches the locks updated pin configuration- and viola!! Rekey complete! This works as well as replacing a lock in barring an individual who has possession of the original key from gaining access to their property.
Opting to have a rekey performed on a lock is typically cheaper than actually replacing one, simply because it permits averting the mandate of providing a new lock to replace the original one with. The price ranges for replacing a lock is also less predictable because until the technician arrives on site they’re unable to decipher which locks are actually compatible with the customer’s particular fixture. For a rekey, however, the locksmith can offer a vague estimate (usually 20 dollars and up per lock). Though not exact, it is uncommon for actual price quotes to climb very far from this original approximation.
A locksmith can also rekey multiple locks to the same key design. This is beneficial for landlords who have a universal room in their building such as a gym or laundry room, that they want to fit keys for all of their tenants. It is also good for housemates, relatives, etc. who wish to share keys amongst each other. Even after a locksmith replaces locks for a customer, they can still rekey the locks for the customer to the same key mould as other locks already installed in the house. Another benefit to rekeying locks is that it circumvents the use of bulky hardware such as locks and new lock fixtures. This is useful, again for landlords who have a high volume of locks that they require new keys for. Just imagine a locksmith going to replace ALL the locks in an apartment complex- not too neat.
Despite these seemingly indisputable advantages that rekeying a lock can provide over replacing it to a customer, it is highly advisable that clients replace their locks, even if only every few years. Locks, like all hardware, are subject to erosion. Years of keys being inserted and metal grinding metal incessantly wears down the material inside the lock and make it easier to break into. There are also instances where the lock is malfunctioning beyond repair, and therefore cannot be fixed or rekeyed. In this case, replacing the lock is mandatory.