How Much Does It Cost to Rekey a House in 2026?
Rekeying is one of the highest-ROI home security moves you can make — but only if you know what you should actually be paying. Here's the real 2026 breakdown.
The short answer
$25 per cylinder is the standard locksmith price for residential rekeying in Charlotte / Lake Norman in 2026. Includes:
- New pin set inside the existing lock
- 2 new keys cut
- All keys keyed alike (same key works every door)
- Test and warranty
For a typical home with 4 exterior doors: $100 total, done in about 45 minutes.
What gets included vs charged extra
Included in $25/cylinder:
- Standard residential locks (Kwikset, Schlage, Defiant, Master Lock, most Yale)
- Pin set replacement
- 2 cut keys
- Functional test and warranty
Slightly more (usually $35–$50/cylinder):
- Smart locks (Schlage Encode, Yale Assure) — same rekey concept, but the work is more delicate
- High-security locks (Medeco, Mul-T-Lock, ASSA, Abloy) — restricted keyways, specialty pins
Charged separately:
- Extra keys beyond the 2 included ($3–$5 per extra key)
- Replacing a broken lock during rekey ($60–$150 depending on lock)
- Lock removal if it's painted shut or seized (rare, $25–$50)
Locksmith vs hardware store rekey
Hardware stores (Home Depot, Lowe's, Ace) sell DIY rekey kits for Kwikset SmartKey locks for $15–$30. Tempting, but:
| Method | Reality |
|---|---|
| DIY rekey kit | Works only on Kwikset SmartKey locks. ~20% of homes have these. Takes 15–30 min per lock if you've never done it. |
| Hardware store rekey service | Some Lowe's stores offer this for ~$20/cylinder. You bring the locks in. Means removing and reinstalling. Not all stores offer it. |
| Mobile locksmith (us) | Comes to your house. Works on ALL major lock brands. $25/cylinder. 5–10 minutes per lock. |
For most homeowners, mobile locksmith is the right call unless you have specifically the Kwikset SmartKey system AND time to spend doing it.
When NOT to rekey (just buy new)
Rekeying doesn't fix:
- Worn-out lock cylinders that turn sticky — internals are fatigued, new pins won't help
- Damaged locks from a forced entry attempt — replace, don't rekey
- Outdated locks below Grade 3 — if you want better security, upgrade the lock, not just the pins
- Apartment / condo with master keying — let the landlord handle it; rekeying could violate your lease
How long does the whole job take?
For a typical Charlotte single-family home:
- 2 exterior doors: 25–35 minutes total, $50
- 4 exterior doors: 45–60 minutes total, $100
- 6+ doors (large home or with detached garage/shed): 75–90 minutes, $150+
We work through the doors fastest if all the locks are the same brand. Mixed brands add a few minutes per swap.
The "just moved in" scenario
If you just bought or moved into a home, here's the strongest recommendation:
- Rekey all exterior doors the first week — about $100 total
- Don't replace the locks unless they're worn out (see above)
- One key for all doors — way easier than keeping 4 different keys on your ring
This is the single highest-impact security move new homeowners can make.
What about garages and outbuildings?
- Garage entry door (the door from the garage to inside the house): rekey it. Same as any exterior door.
- Garage overhead door keypad: not a lock — we don't service these unless it's a manual lock conversion.
- Detached shed/workshop locks: yes, same $25/cylinder rate.
- Mailbox locks: separate service ($45 — see mailbox lock replacement)
When to combine rekey with other work
If you're already paying a service call, you might as well add:
- Smart lock install on the front door — best ROI add-on (~$95–$200 hardware + install)
- Deadbolt on a door that doesn't have one — surprising number of homes have only a knob lock on the back door
- Lock repair if something's been sticky for a while
We bring extra hardware to most jobs — usually we can do the add-ons same trip.
Quote for your home
Call (336) 790-2233 — give us your address (we use it to estimate travel) and the number of exterior doors. We quote the exact total before dispatching.
See residential rekey service for the full process, or rekey vs replace for help deciding which to do.