QA

Question: How To Change My Locks

Can I change my door locks myself?

Replacing door locks is a relatively simple DIY project. If you know your way around a basic screwdriver, you should be able to tackle it in under an hour. Full installation instructions come with the new locks and customer support hotlines are often available to answer any questions.

How much does it cost to change the locks on a house?

Locksmith prices range from $75 to $250 for a car, and $75 to $200 for a house depending on if you need to open, rekey, or change door locks.Locksmith Price Guide. Service Average Cost House Lockout $65 – $185 Commercial Lockout $70 – $200 Rekey House $50 – $130 + $20/lock Change Locks on House $80 – $200.

Is it cheaper to rekey or replace locks?

Rekeying your lock is almost always cheaper than replacing a lock. This is because of the cheaper price of the key pins inside the locks, whereas when you replace a lock, you are paying for all brand-new parts.

Can I rekey my own locks?

Generally, as long as you own the property to which the lock and key belong, you may rekey the lock.

Is it hard to change locks on a house?

Changing a lock is a relatively quick project and definitely one of the very first things that you should be doing after moving into your home.

Should I change the locks after buying a house?

When you move into a new home, you should change the locks on your house. You have no idea how many copies of the house keys are floating around out there from the previous homeowners, so changing the locks will keep your new house more secure. Tom recommends changing the locks whenever a new home is purchased.

Is rekeying safe?

Rekeying a lock does not hurt the security of the lock, nor does it make it more secure. One of the factors that makes a lock secure is how many pins are inside of it. As long as the locksmith swaps the old 5 pins with 5 new ones, the lock will remain just as secure as it was before.

Who can rekey a lock?

Call a locksmith. A locksmith will usually charge a set rate for a service call (often between $40 and $100) and then charge you an additional fee (potentially $10 to $30) for every lock you want rekeyed.

Can Home Depot rekey a lock?

Home Depot does rekey doorknobs, cylinder, and deadbolt locks at selected store locations. Customers can expect to pay $5 to $50, and Home Depot will rekey locks purchased from the store or other retailers/brands, including Schlage and Kwikset locks, provided you can offer the correct keys.

How do locksmiths change locks?

A locksmith simply replaces the tumblers and pins to create a lock that can be opened by a brand-new key. The locksmith can also check on the lock’s condition and add lubrication to maintain your lock.

What is rekeying a lock mean?

When you rekey your locks, you’re altering the lock mechanism so that the old key will no longer open it. Instead, a new key will be necessary. For example, if all of your locks are of the same brand or have the same type of keyhole but use different keys, you can have your locks rekeyed to operate from the same key.

Do you need original key to rekey a lock?

Yes, it is possible for you to rekey a lock without the original key. A locksmith can change your locks even if you have lost or misplaced the original key. In general, it is possible to pick or shim the lock and unlock the door. Then, the locksmith will have a much easier time removing the lock cylinder.

How do you get one key for all locks?

Pick the key you like the best (or have the most of) and have all the other knobs keyed to it. Remove the locks that need to be rekeyed and take them to a locksmith or a hardware store. Bring a key that works each of the locks and the key you want all the locks keyed to and give us five minutes a lock.

How do you make one key fit all locks?

How to Rekey a Lock Step 1: Remove the Doorknob. The first step is to remove the doorknob from the door. Step 2: Remove the Cylinder. Step 3: Take Out the C-Clip. Step 4: Attach Key Plug. Step 5: Dump the Old Pins. Step 6: Insert New Pins. Step 7: Replace the Plug. Step 8: Reattach Knob to Door.

Can Lowes rekey a lock?

Lowe’s are able to rekey locks in certain stores. Customers can bring in their locks (if an eligible brand to be rekeyed at Lowe’s) and have their locks rekeyed for around $5. Lowe’s also offers rekeying kits so customers can rekey their own locks at home.

How much is a deadbolt?

You can typically purchase a single cylindrical deadbolt for $20 to $70, while keyless deadbolts can cost anywhere from $50 to $200 or more depending on the type you purchase.