Rekeying residential and commercial locks is a common procedure locksmiths perform on a daily basis. The question is frequently asked whether they should rekey locks or get the locks physically changed. Both will accomplish the basic premise of removing a previous key from working, and getting a new set of keys.
Rekeying is common when buying a new home. Property managers generally have this done in between rental homes and apartments as well. The loss of key, domestic situations where an ex has a key, safety reasons, and a few other situations are other good reasons to have the locks changed or rekeyed. It can be a relief at times to know you have the only keys that will access your house or business.
As a locksmith, more often than not, rekeying locks is 99% of the time the cheaper option than complete replacement. If the locks are functioning properly, they can be removed and rekeyed within just a few minutes by a competent locksmith. If you’re happy with the current locks, rekeying once again is the best option to change keys or remove access of another key.
On the flip side, complete replacement is the best option when the lock is past its serviceable condition. Of course, this adds to the costs of a changing a lock or locks. As a locksmith, I’ve seen many cheaper locks that just don’t stand up to the test of time and could malfunction and lock you out of a room. Sometimes locks just don’t match which is another reason to just change them out. The matching could be something as simple as color, style, or sometimes the actual key way (what type of keys fit in the lock). These new locks can rekeyed to match your current lock hardware so you can retain one key for use of all the locks in house.
So, the rekeying vs replacement really comes down to your budget, locksmith recommendations, or just wanting to change the look of the your doors. Residential situations will generally have way more options than commercial settings more often than not. Reach out to your local locksmith with questions, concerns, or to get some good advice if needed. Here in the Phoenix, Az area, you can reach out to me directly. www.agentlockandkey.com
