How Much Does It Cost to Rekey a Lock?

Short answer: for a standard house lock, most people pay a service call plus a per-lock charge. Published 2026 price guides put that at roughly $15 to $50 per lock plus about $35 to $100 to show up, so one lock is often $50 to $150 and a whole house of 4 to 6 locks often lands between about $110 and $300. High-security locks, after-hours calls and extra keys cost more.

How a rekey quote is built

Almost every mobile locksmith prices a rekey the same way. Once you know the parts, you can compare quotes fairly:

• Service call (trip charge): paid once per visit. Published guides show about $35 to $100; more at night, weekends or for emergencies.
• Per lock (per cylinder): the labor to take the cylinder out, re-pin it to a new key and put it back. Usually the smaller number.
• New keys: a few dollars each for standard keys; restricted or high-security keys cost more.
• Extras: high-security cylinders, keying everything to one key, or a lock that has to be repaired first.

Because the trip is paid once, rekeying every lock on one visit is the cheapest way to do it. The fifth lock costs far less than the first.

Example: how the math works on a real job

In the video below, Bill works a real job with a timer running and does the math out loud: a flat amount to show up, then a charge per lock. Stay to the end to see what the job came to. It’s an example of how locksmiths price the work, not a quote. Every company and area is different, so always ask for the total before work starts.

Typical price ranges (2026)

What	Typical range
Service call / trip charge	$35 – $100
Rekey, standard residential lock	$15 – $50 per lock
Rekey, high-security lock	$50 – $125 per lock
New standard keys	About $3 – $8 each
After-hours or emergency	Extra on top of the above
Whole house, 4–6 locks, daytime	About $110 – $300 total

What makes a rekey cost more

• More locks (but each extra lock is cheaper on the same visit)
• High-security or restricted-key cylinders
• Keying every lock to one key, or a master-key system
• Old, worn or damaged locks that need repair first
• Nights, weekends and same-hour emergency calls

Rekey or replace?

If the lock works and you just want old keys to stop working, rekey it. Replace it when it’s broken, worn out, or you want a stronger lock. Not sure? Read rekey or replace: what to check first and what rekeying actually changes.

Want to do it yourself?

Many common house locks can be rekeyed at home with a brand-specific kit. Follow how to rekey a lock, step by step, see how to rekey a lock to match your existing key, or if you have Kwikset SmartKey, try the SmartKey reset guide.

Common questions

How much does it cost to rekey one lock?

Published 2026 price guides put a standard residential rekey at roughly $15 to $50 per lock, plus a service call of about $35 to $100 for a mobile locksmith. One lock on its own visit usually lands somewhere around $50 to $150 total.

Is it cheaper to rekey or replace a lock?

Rekeying is usually cheaper when the lock works and you just need old keys to stop working. Replacing means buying new hardware, which often costs more than the rekey labor by itself. Replace when the lock is damaged, worn out, or you want a better lock.

Why is the first lock so much more than the rest?

Most mobile locksmiths charge a service call to show up, then a smaller amount per lock. The trip fee is paid once, so every extra lock on the same visit costs much less than the first.

Can I rekey a lock myself?

Often, yes. Brand-specific rekey kits for common residential locks are sold at hardware stores, and a Kwikset SmartKey lock can be reset with its tool and a working key. It takes patience and small parts. Our step-by-step guide shows how.

Do I need to rekey after buying a house?

It’s one of the most common reasons people call. You don’t know how many copies of the old keys are out there, so rekeying every exterior door, including the door from the garage into the house, is cheap peace of mind.