Will my old keys still work after a rekey?

No. Once the pins are changed, the old keys no longer line them up, so they will not turn the lock. Only the new keys the technician cuts for you will work, plus any copies you make from them later.

Can a lock be rekeyed without the original key?

In many cases, yes. Rekeying is simplest with a working key, but a locksmith can often rekey a lock without one. Tell us which locks have no key so we can plan the job and quote it correctly.

How much does it cost to rekey a lock?

The cost depends mainly on how many cylinders you have, the lock types, whether you want them keyed alike, and how many new keys you need. Call us with those details and you get the exact price before a technician is sent.

Is rekeying as secure as installing new locks?

Rekeying is as secure as the lock you already have. It removes the risk of old keys, but it does not upgrade the lock itself. If you want a stronger deadbolt or higher-grade hardware, a lock change is the better choice.

Can smart locks and keypad locks be rekeyed?

Many smart and keypad locks have a backup key cylinder, and that cylinder can usually be rekeyed. The keypad codes and app access are separate: change them in the lock's settings or app, and remove any users who should no longer have access.

Which locks should I rekey after buying a house?

Every lock an old key could open: each exterior door, the garage entry door, and any keyed side door, gate or basement door. Count the deadbolt and the knob on the same door separately, since each has its own cylinder. A lock that is worn or damaged is better replaced than rekeyed.

Can I rekey locks in a rental I don't own?

Check your lease and talk to your landlord first. Many leases require the landlord's approval and a copy of the new key. Landlords and property managers can arrange rekeying between tenants with us directly.

(425) 675-6617

Lock Rekey Service in Washington

Locked out of your house?

need your locks rekeyed

or want to replace a door lock?

We come to you fast

Licensed
BONDED
Insured

(425) 675-6617

KeyHub Locksmith rekeys door locks at your home, rental or condo so that old keys stop working and a new key opens the lock. Your existing locks stay on the door. We change the inside of each cylinder, cut new keys, and test every lock before we leave.

We are open 24/7. A technician reaches you in 15–20 minutes, and you get the exact price over the phone before anyone is sent.

Open 24/7
Technician on the way in 15–20 minutes
Cash, cards, AMEX, Apple Pay & Zelle
Licensed, bonded & insured (WA license KEYHULL752OE)

Need help right now?

Call us and tell us how many doors you want rekeyed.

(425) 675-6617 Message us

OUR LOCKSMITH SERVICES

Fast mobile locksmith service for cars, homes, keys, and emergency lockouts

Lock Rekey

Make old keys stop working without replacing the locks.

Rekey my locks

House Lockout

Locked out of your home? We get you back in without damage.

Get back in

Car Lockout

Keys shut inside the car? We open the door without damaging it.

Unlock my car

Commercial

Office and storefront locks, master key systems, rekeys and exit devices.

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Safe Lockout

Locked safe or lost combination? We open it on site.

Open my safe

Residential

Home lockouts, rekeys, lock repair and new lock installation.

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What rekeying a lock means

Rekeying a lock means changing which key operates it. Inside a standard lock cylinder is a row of small spring-loaded pins of different lengths. Only a key cut to match those lengths lines the pins up and lets the cylinder turn.

When a locksmith rekeys a lock, the cylinder is taken out, the old pins are replaced with a new set that matches a new key, and the lock goes back on the door. The handle, deadbolt and finish stay the same. Every old copy of the key, including ones you never knew existed, no longer turns the lock.

Most standard residential pin tumbler locks can be rekeyed: knob locks, lever handles, deadbolts, handlesets, and the backup key cylinder on many smart and keypad locks. A lock that is broken, badly worn or uses a cylinder that cannot be taken apart may need replacing instead. We tell you which applies to your locks before any work starts.

When to rekey your locks

Rekeying makes sense any time you can no longer account for every key that opens your door.

You moved into a new home

Previous owners, their relatives, contractors, dog walkers and cleaners may still hold keys. Rekeying is the usual first step after closing or moving in.

A key was lost or stolen

If the key was on a ring with your address or your car, rekeying the affected doors closes that gap.

A tenant or roommate moved out

Landlords often rekey between tenants, and roommates may want new keys when someone leaves. Renters should check with the landlord or the lease before changing who can open the unit.

A relationship ended

If someone you no longer share a home with still has a key, rekeying stops it from working.

Keys were handed out over time

Contractors, babysitters, neighbors and short-term guests add up. Rekeying gives you a clean start and a known number of keys.

You carry too many keys

If your doors use compatible cylinders, they can be rekeyed to work with one key (see below).

One key for several doors

Rekeying is also how several locks are set up to open with the same key, known as keying alike. The technician rekeys each cylinder to the same pin pattern, so your front door deadbolt, back door and garage entry door all work with one key.

This depends on the locks. Cylinders need to share a compatible keyway, which usually means the same brand or a compatible one. If one door has a lock from a different manufacturer, it may need a new cylinder or lock before it can match the others. Tell us the brands on the locks when you call, or send a photo, and we will confirm what is possible.

Businesses that need different access levels for different staff use master key systems, which is a commercial job. See our commercial locksmith services for commercial rekeying and master keying.

Rekeying vs changing locks

Rekeying and changing locks both stop old keys from working. The difference is what happens to the hardware. Rekeying keeps the lock and changes the key. Changing the lock removes the old hardware and installs a new lock with its own keys.

Rekeying

What changes: The pins inside the cylinder and the key
What stays: Handle, deadbolt body, finish, door prep
Old keys: Stop working
Lock condition needed: The lock must work smoothly and be in good condition
Security level: Same as the existing lock
Style or function: Unchanged
One key for all doors: Possible when cylinders are compatible
What you pay for: Mostly labor and new keys; no new lock hardware
Typical reason: Unknown or lost keys, new home, tenant change

Changing locks

What changes: The whole lock, or the lock and cylinder
What stays: Nothing from the old lock
Old keys: Stop working
Lock condition needed: Any condition; replacement fixes a damaged or worn lock
Security level: Can be raised with a stronger deadbolt or higher-grade hardware
Style or function: Can change to a new finish, handle type, smart lock or keypad
One key for all doors: Possible by choosing matching new locks
What you pay for: Labor plus the new locks and any parts
Typical reason: Broken, worn or outdated lock, or an upgrade

Rekeying is usually enough when

the locks turn and latch without sticking;
you like the hardware you have and only want control over who has keys;
the locks are from brands whose cylinders can be rekeyed and, if you want one key, are compatible with each other;
the main concern is old keys in unknown hands.

Changing the lock makes more sense when

a lock is damaged, loose, sticking or failing to latch;
the door was forced and the lock or strike was hurt;
the lock is old, parts are not available, or the cylinder cannot be rekeyed;
you want a stronger deadbolt, a different style, or a smart or keypad lock;
you want one key for all doors but the existing locks are not compatible.

Need help right now?

Not sure if you need a rekey or new locks? Call us and describe the locks; we will explain the options and give you the price for each.

(425) 675-6617 Message us

How our lock rekeying service works

1You tell us about the locks

On the phone we ask how many doors and keyed locks you have, what type they are, and whether you want one key for all of them.

2You get the price

We give you the exact price for the job before we send anyone.

3A technician comes to you

Our technicians work across the service area, so arrival takes 15–20 minutes.

4Each lock is checked first

The technician confirms every lock works properly and can be rekeyed, and points out any lock that should be replaced instead.

5The cylinders are rekeyed

Each cylinder is removed, repinned to the new key and reinstalled on the door.

6Every lock is tested

The new key is tried in each lock, the old key is tried to confirm it no longer turns, and you receive your new keys.

What affects the price of rekeying

We do not publish prices because the job differs from house to house. These are the details that set the price for a rekey:

Number of cylinders

Each keyed cylinder is rekeyed separately. A door with a knob lock and a deadbolt has two. Garage entry, side, patio and basement doors are easy to forget.

Type of lock

Standard knob locks, deadbolts, handlesets and smart lock backup cylinders differ in how they come apart. High-security cylinders take more work and may need special key blanks.

Keying alike

Setting several locks to one key is part of the rekey, but it only works with compatible cylinders. If a lock does not match, a new cylinder or lock adds to the job.

Whether you have a working key

Rekeying is simpler when a key for each lock is available. Tell us if a lock has no working key.

Number of new keys

Tell us how many copies you need for family members, tenants or a property manager.

Lock condition

A lock that is worn or damaged may need replacing rather than rekeying. Mention any lock that sticks or feels loose so the quote covers it.

Your location

Mobile service price may depend on your city and distance, and it is already included in the quote you get by phone.

Tip

You get your exact price over the phone before we send a technician, and that price doesn't change when we arrive.

Request an Estimate

No obligation. We will send a technician to you only after you have approved this.

Prefer to talk?

(425) 675-6617

What to have ready when you call

The number of exterior doors and how many keyed locks each one has
The lock types (knob, lever, deadbolt, handleset, smart lock with a key cylinder)
The brand name stamped on the lock face or the key, if you can see it
A working key for each lock, or which locks have none
Whether you want all doors to open with one key
How many new keys you need
Any lock that sticks, wobbles or does not latch
Proof that you are entitled to change the locks: photo ID with the address, a lease or a utility bill
Photos of the locks, if it is easy to take them.

Have these details?

Call us and we'll confirm the key and the exact price.

(425) 675-6617 Message us

Mobile rekey service across our service area

Serving Seattle & Washington

Rekeying is done at your door. We come to you, so most customers never need to visit us. Our offices in Kirkland, Lynnwood and Tacoma are open if you prefer to stop by. Because technicians are based in different parts of the service area, a technician reaches you in 15–20 minutes, any day of the year including holidays. KeyHub Locksmith is licensed, bonded and insured in Washington (license KEYHULL752OE).

KeyHub office

Kirkland, WA

11335 NE 122nd Way, Ste 105, Office 211, Kirkland, WA 98034

Open 24/7 · Office phone (425) 615-6902

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KeyHub office

Tacoma, WA

4301 S Pine St, Suite 30-12, Tacoma, WA 98409

Open 24/7 · Office phone (253) 322-1790

Call office Directions

Kirkland, WA

Service area · mobile locksmith comes to you

Lock Rekey Service in Washington

What rekeying a lock means

When to rekey your locks

One key for several doors

Rekeying vs changing locks

Rekeying is usually enough when

Changing the lock makes more sense when

How our lock rekeying service works

What affects the price of rekeying

What to have ready when you call

Mobile rekey service across our service area

Frequently asked questions

Will my old keys still work after a rekey?

Can a lock be rekeyed without the original key?

How much does it cost to rekey a lock?

Is rekeying as secure as installing new locks?

Can smart locks and keypad locks be rekeyed?

Which locks should I rekey after buying a house?

Can I rekey locks in a rental I don't own?