What Is Lock Rekeying? A Locksmith’s Guide to Rekeying Your Locks
Lock rekeying changes a lock so that it operates with a new key and the previous key no longer works, without necessarily replacing the complete lock.
It’s one of the most useful services a locksmith can provide, particularly when you’ve moved into a new home, lost a key, had keys stolen, changed tenants or employees, or simply don’t know who has copies of your existing keys.
However, rekeying isn’t as simple as the common explanation of “changing the pins.” Different locks use different mechanisms, some locks are considerably more difficult to rekey than others, and occasionally replacing a lock makes more sense than spending time modifying the existing one.
At Lockwise Locksmiths, we rekey residential, commercial and automotive locks from our Hillcrest workshop and throughout Brisbane Southside and Logan. We also rekey compatible locks to operate from the same key, commonly known as keying locks alike.
What Does Rekeying a Lock Actually Mean?
Every keyed lock has some form of internal mechanism that recognises the correct key.
In a conventional pin tumbler cylinder, for example, the cuts in the key position internal pins at the correct heights. When everything aligns correctly, the cylinder can rotate and operate the lock.
Rekeying changes that internal combination.
A locksmith then provides a key corresponding to the new combination. The previous key no longer correctly aligns the locking components and therefore should no longer operate the rekeyed lock.
The important point is that the lock itself can often remain installed.
If you already have a good-quality deadlock that’s working properly, there’s little sense replacing the entire lock solely because you need to prevent an old key from working.
Rekeying Doesn’t Always Mean Changing Pins
You’ll frequently see lock rekeying described online as:
“The locksmith removes the old pins and puts different pins in.”
That’s correct for many conventional pin tumbler cylinders, but it’s an oversimplification of locksmithing generally.
Different locks can use pins, wafers, discs, sliders and other locking components. The construction and servicing procedures can vary considerably between manufacturers and lock types.
Automotive locks, for example, commonly use wafer-based systems that are quite different from a typical residential pin tumbler cylinder.
The underlying principle remains the same:
Change the lock’s combination so a different key operates it.
How a locksmith achieves that depends entirely on the lock in front of us.
Are All Locks Easy to Rekey?
No.
This is one area where the textbook explanation of rekeying differs from actually doing it.
Some locks are specifically manufactured to be readily serviced and rekeyed. With the correct components, tools and knowledge, these can be relatively straightforward for an experienced locksmith.
Other locks can be extremely difficult to rekey because of the way they’re manufactured or assembled.
A lock may technically be capable of being rekeyed, but accessing and rebuilding the mechanism could involve considerably more work than another lock using a more serviceable design.
There are also inexpensive locks where the labour involved in rekeying them simply doesn’t make economic sense compared with replacing the cylinder or lock.
That’s why the question isn’t always:
“Can this lock be rekeyed?”
Sometimes the better question is:
“Is this particular lock worth rekeying?”
A locksmith should be able to make that assessment before unnecessarily replacing good hardware or spending excessive time rebuilding something that isn’t worth retaining.
Rekeying vs Replacing Locks: What’s the Difference?
The two services solve different problems.
Rekeying changes which key operates an existing compatible lock.
Replacing a lock changes the physical locking hardware.
If you’ve moved into a house fitted with good-quality locks but don’t know who possesses keys, the hardware isn’t necessarily the problem.
The key control is the problem.
Rekeying can establish a new key combination without throwing away otherwise serviceable locks.
Replacement becomes more appropriate when a lock is damaged, badly worn, unsuitable for its application, unreliable or doesn’t provide the level of physical security required.
Sometimes we find both situations at the same property. Several good locks might simply be rekeyed while one poor or damaged lock is replaced.
There is no reason the entire property needs the same treatment.
Does Rekeying Make a Lock More Secure?
This needs an important distinction.
Rekeying improves key control. It doesn’t inherently make the physical construction of a lock stronger.
If an unknown person has your current key, changing the combination prevents that key from continuing to operate the rekeyed lock.
That’s a security improvement because you’ve regained control over authorised keys.
But if the existing lock is physically inadequate, changing its combination doesn’t transform it into a high-security lock.
Good security involves both key control and appropriate physical hardware.
That’s why Lockwise may recommend retaining and rekeying some locks while repairing or upgrading others.
Should You Rekey Your Locks When You Move House?
Moving into an established property is one of the strongest reasons to consider rekeying.
You might receive two or three sets of keys at settlement, but you generally have no way of knowing how many copies have existed during the property’s history.
Keys could previously have been given to family members, neighbours, cleaners, tradespeople, tenants, property managers or other people.
There’s nothing inherently wrong with the existing locks because somebody else may possess a key.
Rather than replacing perfectly good hardware, a locksmith can often rekey the existing locks and establish a new set of keys for the new owner.
It’s essentially resetting control of the property’s mechanical keys.
What If You’ve Lost a House Key?
The appropriate response depends partly on the circumstances.
Losing a key somewhere you are confident it can’t reasonably be associated with your address is different from losing a key together with identification showing where you live.
If you don’t know where the key is or who might have it, rekeying removes the uncertainty.
Once the affected locks have been rekeyed to a new combination, the missing key should no longer operate them.
Importantly, we need to consider every lock that missing key operated.
Rekeying the front door doesn’t solve the problem if the same missing key still opens the rear door.
What If Your Keys Have Been Stolen?
Stolen keys deserve greater attention because another person deliberately possesses them.
Queensland Police advises people to have locks replaced or keyless security reprogrammed immediately when house or car keys are stolen, noting the possibility of offenders returning following an initial break-in.
For suitable mechanical locks, rekeying can achieve the required change of key combination without necessarily replacing the entire lock.
If house and vehicle keys were stolen together, both should be considered compromised.
Lockwise provides both residential and automotive locksmith services, so we can also assess what needs to happen with the vehicle’s mechanical and electronic keys.
Can You Rekey a Lock Without the Original Key?
In many cases, yes.
The misconception that a locksmith always needs the existing key probably comes from DIY rekeying systems where the current working key forms part of the procedure.
Professional locksmiths aren’t necessarily limited in the same way.
Whether a lock can be rekeyed without its original key depends on the lock, its condition and how it can be serviced.
So if you’ve lost every copy of your house key, don’t assume that every lock automatically needs replacing.
Can You Make All My Locks Work With One Key?
Often.
This is called keying locks alike.
If compatible locks around a property use suitable cylinders or key systems, they can potentially be rekeyed so one key operates several locks.
Instead of carrying separate keys for the front door, rear door and other entrances, one key may be able to operate multiple locks.
This can be particularly useful when we’re already rekeying a house after a change of ownership.
Rather than simply changing each lock to another random key, we can look at whether the property’s overall key arrangement can be simplified.
Can Different Brands of Locks Be Keyed Alike?
Sometimes.
The brand name printed on the outside of a lock isn’t necessarily the only factor determining whether two locks can operate from the same key.
What matters is whether their cylinders, key profiles and internal systems are compatible.
Some different lock brands and types can potentially be keyed together, while others can’t.
A locksmith can inspect what’s installed and determine which existing locks can reasonably be incorporated into the same key system.
This is another reason we recommend assessing existing hardware before replacing everything.
Keyed Alike vs Master Keyed: What’s the Difference?
These terms are sometimes confused.
With keyed-alike locks, the same key operates each lock in the group.
For example:
Key A → Front Door + Back Door + Garage
A master key system is different.
Different users can have keys that operate only selected locks, while another authorised key can operate multiple locks within the system.
For example:
Employee Key → Office only
Warehouse Key → Warehouse only
Master Key → Office + Warehouse
Master keying is particularly useful for commercial buildings, schools, factories, property management and other sites requiring different access levels.
For an ordinary home, keyed alike is generally the concept homeowners are looking for when they say, “Can you put everything onto one key?”
Can Window Locks Be Rekeyed?
Some can.
Again, it depends on the lock design.
Where compatible cylinders and key systems are used, there may be opportunities to incorporate certain window locks into the property’s broader keying arrangement.
Other window locks use completely different key systems and can’t practically be matched to the door locks.
We assess what’s already fitted before determining the available options.
Can Commercial Locks Be Rekeyed?
Absolutely.
Commercial rekeying is common following changes of tenancy, staff changes, lost keys, stolen keys or changes to access requirements.
However, repeatedly rekeying an entire commercial building every time a key goes missing isn’t always the best long-term solution.
For larger businesses, a master key system or restricted key system may provide better control over who can access particular areas and how additional keys are issued.
Lockwise works with commercial keying systems as well as ordinary residential rekeying.
Can Car Locks Be Rekeyed?
Many can, although automotive rekeying is a specialised area.
Traditional vehicle locks commonly use wafer systems rather than the conventional pin tumbler mechanisms found in many residential cylinders.
Modern vehicles can also have two separate security considerations:
Mechanical key security determines whether the physical key blade operates a door lock or ignition.
Electronic key security determines whether the transponder, remote or smart key is authorised by the vehicle’s security system.
This distinction becomes particularly important when car keys are stolen.
Deleting a stolen electronic key from an immobiliser doesn’t necessarily prevent its mechanical blade from unlocking a door.
Likewise, changing a mechanical door lock doesn’t necessarily remove the electronic key from the vehicle’s authorised key system.
Proper vehicle rekeying after key theft therefore requires consideration of both sides of the system.
What If the Existing Lock Is Worn Out?
Rekeying isn’t a repair for every lock problem.
If a lock is heavily worn, damaged or unreliable, changing its key combination doesn’t automatically correct those faults.
Sometimes the sensible option is to repair the lock. Other times replacement is appropriate.
Likewise, a lock may function perfectly but provide inadequate security for where it has been installed.
In that situation, we may recommend an appropriate upgrade rather than investing money into rekeying poor hardware.
The objective isn’t simply to rekey as many locks as possible.
It’s to leave the customer with a reliable and practical locking system.
Can a Locksmith Rekey Locks and Service Them at the Same Time?
Rekeying requires us to work directly with the locking mechanism, so it’s also an opportunity to identify obvious problems with the hardware.
A lock that is difficult to operate shouldn’t simply be rekeyed and ignored.
Problems can involve the cylinder itself, but sometimes what feels like a “bad lock” is related to the door, strike, alignment or surrounding hardware.
This is another advantage of having a locksmith perform the work rather than treating rekeying as simply swapping components to match another key.
Is It Better to Rekey or Replace Your Locks?
There isn’t one answer that applies to every lock.
A useful rule is:
Good lock + wrong or compromised key = consider rekeying.
Poor, damaged or unsuitable lock = consider repair, replacement or upgrading.
Sometimes the most sensible job involves both.
A locksmith might rekey several good-quality locks, replace one damaged lock and key the compatible replacements to the same new key.
That’s often better than automatically replacing every lock on the property.
Lock Rekeying in Brisbane Southside and Logan
Lockwise Locksmiths is a family-owned locksmith business based at our Hillcrest workshop, servicing Browns Plains, Brisbane Southside, Logan and surrounding suburbs.
We provide residential, commercial and automotive lock rekeying, including:
- Moving-house rekeying
- Lost and stolen key rekeying
- Keying compatible locks alike
- Residential door and window locks
- Commercial lock rekeying
- Master key systems
- Restricted key systems
- Vehicle lock rekeying after stolen keys
- Lock repairs and security upgrades
We don’t automatically recommend replacing a lock simply because you need a different key.
If the existing hardware is suitable and serviceable, rekeying can allow you to keep a perfectly good lock while changing who can access it.
And when a lock is unusually difficult to rekey because of its construction, damaged, worn out or simply not worth the labour involved, we’ll recommend the more practical alternative.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rekeying Locks
What does rekeying a lock mean?
Rekeying changes the internal key combination of a compatible lock so it operates with a new key and the previous key no longer operates it.
Is it better to rekey or replace locks?
If the existing lock is good quality and serviceable, rekeying can make more sense when the only problem is key control. Damaged, worn or inadequate locks may be better repaired, replaced or upgraded.
Can you rekey a lock without the original key?
Many locks can be professionally rekeyed without the original key. Whether this is practical depends on the particular lock and its construction.
Can different locks be rekeyed to use the same key?
Compatible locks can often be keyed alike, allowing one key to operate multiple locks. Compatibility depends on the cylinders and key systems involved.
Should I rekey my locks after buying a house?
It’s worth considering because you can’t normally know how many copies of the previous keys have been made. Rekeying establishes a new key combination without necessarily replacing good existing locks.
Does rekeying make a lock more secure?
Rekeying improves key control by changing which key operates the lock. It doesn’t inherently increase the physical strength of the existing lock.