How Much Does It Cost to Rekey a House in 2026? (Complete Pricing Guide)

Short answer: Rekeying a standard house with 4–6 locks usually costs $75 to $220 total, which is about $15 to $35 per lock plus a service-call fee of roughly $35 to $75.

That’s a fraction of what it costs to replace your locks, and it’s the smartest move any time keys go missing, a tenant moves out, or you just bought a home. In this guide we break down pricing, what affects it, and when rekeying isn’t the right choice.

What does rekeying actually mean?

Rekeying means a locksmith opens up your existing lock, swaps out the tiny spring-loaded pins inside the cylinder, and cuts a new key that matches the new pin pattern. The outside of the lock looks and works exactly the same. The only thing that changes is which key turns it.

It’s a five-to-ten-minute job per lock in the hands of a trained locksmith. The lock stays on your door — there’s no carpentry, no drilling, no replacement hardware.

Typical rekeying costs in 2026

• Service call / trip charge: $35 – $75
• Per-lock rekey (standard residential pin-tumbler): $15 – $35
• Per-lock rekey (high-security lock, e.g., Medeco, Mul-T-Lock): $50 – $125
• New keys cut: $3 – $8 per key
• After-hours or emergency: $100 – $250 premium on top

For a typical 3-bedroom home with a front deadbolt, front knob, back door, garage entry door, and one or two extra locks — so 5 or 6 locks — most homeowners pay between $110 and $220 including the service call and a couple of new keys.

When rekeying is smarter than replacing the locks

• You just moved into a new home — you have no idea who else has copies of those keys.
• A roommate, tenant, ex-partner, house cleaner, or contractor has moved on.
• You lost a key somewhere unknown.
• You want all your locks to open with one key (“keyed alike”).
• Your locks still look good, work well, and haven’t been physically damaged.

When you should replace instead of rekey

• Your locks are 15+ years old and showing wear.
• A lock has been tampered with or drilled.
• You want to upgrade to a smart lock, keypad, or higher-security cylinder.
• You’re dealing with different lock brands and want them keyed alike (some brands can’t be rekeyed to each other).

If you’re weighing the two, our lock installation service and rekeying service pages walk through both.

5 things that make rekeying cost more

1. Lock brand and type. High-security locks (Medeco, Mul-T-Lock, Abloy) use restricted keys and patented keyways and cost 3–5× more to rekey than a standard Kwikset or Schlage.
2. Time of day. Evenings, weekends, and holidays carry an emergency fee.
3. Number of locks. Most locksmiths discount additional locks after the first.
4. Distance. Remote or rural addresses add a trip surcharge.
5. “Keyed alike” vs. “keyed different.” Making all your locks use the same key takes a little extra setup but is usually free or a small add-on.

Can I rekey my own house?

DIY rekey kits exist for Kwikset and Schlage (around $20). They work if you have steady hands, good lighting, and only one or two locks. Most homeowners find that by the time they’ve watched the tutorials, sourced the kit, and rekeyed the first lock, they’ve spent the same amount of time the pro would have spent doing the whole house. And if you drop a pin into the door mechanism, the repair cost erases any savings.

How to hire the right locksmith

• Ask for a flat quote before work begins. Avoid locksmiths who only quote a “starting at” price.
• Confirm they’re licensed and insured in your state.
• Check recent reviews — especially ones with photos.
• Get the company name on the phone, then verify it matches the vehicle and receipt.

At American Locksmith, we quote flat rates for rekeying before we drive out. If you’re thinking about rekeying your home, call (888) 907-1705 and we’ll give you a price on the phone.