Is It Cheaper to Rekey or Replace Locks?

Securingyour home, office, or business may present you with decisions to either rekeyor replace your locks. Both are excellent in improving security, but yourdecision may largely depend on cost. Let's see which is cheaper and whatfactors you need to consider.

What doesrekeying involve?

Rekeying thelock is the process of changing the internal mechanism of the lock to accept anew key. The locksmith takes out the cylinder of the lock and replaces the pinsinside the cylinder with new ones, complementary to a different key. This keepsthe same lock hardware but requires a new key for operation.

What DoesReplacing Locks Entail?

Replacing alock refers to the whole setup of a new lock, where the old one is completelyremoved. This gives you more flexibility in upgrading your hardware, changingthe style, or taking care of damaged locks that no longer serve their purpose.

CostComparison: Rekeyingvs. Replacing

Generally,rekeying is cheaper than replacing locks. Here's why:

MaterialCosts: Rekeyingrequires fewer parts-just a set of new pins for the lock cylinder. On the otherhand, lock replacement involves the outright purchase of brand new hardwarethat can be top-of-the-range or very lowly rated.

LaborCosts: Generally,rekeying takes less time and hence is less labor-intensive than fullreplacement, which more often than not involves some drilling, fitting, andensuring the new lock aligns properly with the door.

SituationalFactors: Rekeying isobviously the perfect solution if your locks are still in great shape and youonly need to render old keys useless. If your locks happen to be outdated, wornout, or no longer serve your present security needs, then replacing may beworth an additional cost.

When toRekey?

You've movedinto a new home or apartment.

You've lostyour keys or suspect unauthorized access.

You want akey that could open multiple locks.

When toReplace Locks?

Your locksare old or broken.

You want anupgrade to newer, high-security options like smart locks or deadbolts.

You have adifferent style or finish that will match the look of your door.

Conclusion

Rekeying isgenerally a little cheaper, assuming your locks are in decent condition, andthus serves as a very good option for periodic security updates. Replacement oflocks will be more expensive and is necessary when your current locks becomeoutdated, broken, or too weak to provide adequate security. Ultimately, yourdecision should balance cost, functionality, and security requirements toensure peace of mind.