Rekeying vs. Changing Locks: Which One Do You Actually Need?

“Should I rekey or replace my locks?” is one of the most common questions we get. The answer depends on your situation, but most people overspend by replacing when rekeying would do the job. Let’s break it down so you can make the right call.

The Short Answer

• Rekey if your locks are in good condition and you just need to change who has key access.
• Replace if your locks are old, damaged, low-grade, or you want to upgrade your security hardware.

That covers 90% of situations. For the other 10%, read on.

What’s the Difference?

Rekeying changes the internal pins of your existing lock so that a new key works and old keys don’t. The lock hardware stays on your door. It’s like changing the combination on a safe without buying a new safe.

Replacing means removing the entire lock and installing a new one. New hardware, new keys, new everything.

Both achieve the same basic goal: old keys no longer work. The difference is cost, time, and whether you also need better hardware.

When Rekeying Is the Right Call

You Just Moved In

This is the classic rekey scenario. Your locks are probably fine physically, but you have no idea how many key copies are floating around. The previous owner’s family, friends, contractors, dog walker, cleaning service, real estate agent: any of them might have a key.

Rekeying your whole house the day you move in is one of the smartest and cheapest security upgrades you can make.

Someone Moved Out

Breakup, roommate change, fired an employee who had a key. Rekeying removes their access immediately. Even if they return their key, you don’t know if they made copies.

You Lost Your Keys

A lost key is a security question mark. If your keys had any identifying information (address tag, car key on the same ring that’s registered to your address), rekey soon.

You Want All Locks on One Key

Over the years, most homes end up with 3 to 5 different keys for different doors. Rekeying lets a locksmith set every lock to work with a single key. One key for the front door, back door, garage entry, and side gate. This is called “keying alike” and it costs the same as a standard rekey.

The Locks Are in Good Physical Shape

If your deadbolts turn smoothly, the latches align properly, and there’s no visible damage, there’s no reason to replace the hardware. Rekeying gives you the same security result at a fraction of the cost.

When Replacing Makes More Sense

Your Locks Are Old or Worn

If your deadbolt is stiff, the latch doesn’t catch, or the key sticks, it’s time for new hardware. A worn lock is a security risk regardless of who has the key. Pins wear down, springs weaken, and tolerances loosen over time.

You Have Builder-Grade Locks

Many new construction homes come with the cheapest locks the builder could find. These are typically BHMA Grade 3 (the lowest residential rating). Upgrading to Grade 2 or Grade 1 locks significantly improves resistance to forced entry.

Here’s what the grades mean:

If you’re in a Grade 3 house, replacing with Grade 2 locks is one of the best security upgrades per dollar.

You Want Smart Lock Features

If you want keypad entry, fingerprint access, auto-lock, remote unlock, or temporary guest codes, you need new hardware. You can’t rekey your way into smart features.

Check out our best smart locks for 2026 guide for specific recommendations.

Your Door Has Been Kicked or Forced

After a break-in attempt, replace the lock and the strike plate. Even if the lock still works, the internal mechanism may be damaged in ways that aren’t visible. A compromised lock might look fine but fail when it matters.

While you’re at it, upgrade the strike plate to a reinforced version with 3-inch screws that anchor into the door frame studs, not just the trim.

You’re Changing Lock Brands

Rekeying only works within the same lock brand. If you have a Kwikset front door and a Schlage back door and want them on the same key, you’ll need to replace one of them to match the other brand’s keyway.

Exception: a locksmith with master pins can sometimes cross-key different brands, but it’s not standard practice and can compromise pin security.

Cost Comparison

Here’s what you’ll typically pay in the Salt Lake City area:

Rekeying saves 50% to 75% compared to replacing, assuming your existing hardware is in good shape.

The Hybrid Approach

Here’s what we often recommend, and it’s what makes the most sense for most homeowners:

1. Replace the front door lock with a smart lock or high-grade deadbolt ($200 to $350).
2. Rekey all other exterior doors to match a single new key ($100 to $200).
3. Upgrade all strike plates to reinforced versions with 3-inch screws ($30 to $50 in hardware).

Total cost: $330 to $600 for a whole-house security upgrade. Your front door gets the best hardware, every other door gets fresh keys, and every entry point gets a stronger strike plate.

Questions to Ask Your Locksmith

When you call for a quote, these questions will help you get the right recommendation:

1. Are my current locks worth keeping? A good locksmith will tell you honestly whether rekeying makes sense or if the hardware needs replacing.
2. What grade are my current locks? If the locksmith can identify the brand and grade, they can tell you if an upgrade is warranted.
3. Can you key everything alike? Whether rekeying or replacing, getting all locks on one key is almost always worth it.
4. What about the strike plates? This is the most overlooked part of door security. If your locksmith doesn’t mention strike plates, ask about them.

GoKey Locksmiths: Rekeying and Lock Replacement in Salt Lake City

Whether rekeying or replacing is right for your situation, GoKey Locksmiths will give you an honest recommendation based on your actual locks, not what’s most profitable for us.

Call (801) 512-4658 for a quote. We’ll assess your locks, explain your options, and let you decide. We serve the entire Salt Lake City metro, including Riverton, South Jordan, Draper, Herriman, Sandy, and West Jordan.

Veteran-owned, family-operated, and backed by 200+ reviews at 4.9 stars. Matt Johnson founded GoKey in 2015 on the principle that honest advice builds long-term trust. That hasn’t changed.