Rekeying vs Replacing Locks: How to Know Which Option Makes Sense

When the security circumstances around a property change – a new tenant moves in, a key goes missing, a relationship ends, or a property changes hands – the question of whether to rekey or replace the locks is one of the most common inquiries we receive. It is a question with a correct answer that depends on the specific circumstances, and the cheaper option is not always the right one. At A.Abbott Locksmiths, we rekey and replace locks across residential, commercial, and strata properties throughout Sydney every day, and we have a clear view of when each approach delivers the outcome the client actually needs.

What Rekeying Actually Involves

Rekeying a lock means changing the internal configuration of the cylinder so that the existing keys no longer operate it and a new set of keys is required. A locksmith does this by disassembling the lock cylinder, replacing the pin stacks inside with a different configuration, and reassembling the cylinder. The external hardware – the lock body, handle or knob, and strike plate – remains unchanged. Only the cylinder configuration is altered.

Rekeying is faster and less expensive than replacing the entire lock because the hardware remains in place. For a standard deadbolt or entry set in good condition, rekeying can be done in a matter of minutes by a qualified locksmith. The result is that all previously issued keys are immediately rendered inoperable and only the new keys work.

When Rekeying Is the Right Answer

Rekeying is the right answer when the lock hardware is in good condition, is of an appropriate security grade for the application, and the only reason for change is key accountability. A new tenant moving into a property where the previous tenant’s key control cannot be fully verified, a homeowner who has misplaced a key and wants to ensure it cannot be used, a business that has had a staff departure and wants to exclude that person’s key access, and a property that has changed ownership where all previous key copies need to be voided – these are all situations where rekeying the existing hardware is appropriate, cost-effective, and provides the security outcome required.

Rekeying can also be used to create a master key system from existing hardware. If a landlord manages multiple properties and wants all their properties keyed to a single master key while retaining individual keys for each property, rekeying all the cylinders to a common master is generally the most cost-effective way to achieve this.

When Lock Replacement Is the Better Option

Rekeying is not always the right answer, and in some circumstances it is a false economy. If the existing lock hardware is worn, damaged, or of a security grade that is inadequate for the application, rekeying preserves a deficient security situation with new keys. A lock with worn pin stacks that have started to pick easily, hardware that is corroded or mechanically unreliable, or a lock of Grade 1 security in a location that warrants Grade 3 hardware is not made genuinely secure by rekeying.

Replacement is also the right answer when upgrading to a higher security standard. If a property currently has standard cylindrical knob locks on external doors – a configuration that provides poor security against forced entry – and the owner wants to upgrade to deadbolts, the hardware must be replaced entirely because rekeying cannot change what type of lock is installed.

When adding high-security features such as restricted key systems, anti-pick, anti-bump, and anti-drill cylinders, or electronic access control components, hardware replacement is required. These features are inherent to the lock hardware itself and cannot be retrofitted through rekeying alone.

The False Economy of DIY Rekeying

DIY rekeying kits are available for purchase, and some homeowners attempt to rekey their own locks to avoid the cost of a locksmith. The result is frequently either a lock that does not rekey correctly – which may mean the new keys do not work reliably, the original keys may still work partially, or the lock mechanism is damaged – or a lock that appears to work but has been assembled incorrectly in a way that reduces its security or reliability. The cost of a professional locksmith rekeying service is modest, and the cost of a failed DIY rekey that requires emergency locksmith attendance or hardware replacement is typically higher than the professional service would have been.

Contact A.Abbott Locksmiths

Whether your situation calls for rekeying, full lock replacement, or a combination of both, A.Abbott Locksmiths can advise on the right approach and carry out the work promptly and professionally. We service residential, commercial, and strata properties across the Sydney metropolitan area with 18 fully equipped mobile vans and 24/7 emergency availability.

Call us on 1300 655 787 today to discuss your requirements.