Describe the situation by phone and we will tell you what the job involves. Quotes are given by phone. Jobs that cannot be quoted without seeing them need a technician on site, and the service call charge is explained on the phone before anyone is dispatched.
When rekeying is the right first step
Rekeying changes the inside of a lock so that old keys no longer work and new keys do. The hardware on the door stays the same, which makes it a good first step after a move, a lost key, a break in trust with a former roommate or contractor, or any event where you cannot account for every copy. It is usually quicker and less disruptive than replacing hardware, and the door keeps its familiar look and feel. Because the cylinder does the work, rekeying is also a useful way to bring several doors onto a single key without changing how the doors look.
The process is straightforward. The technician removes the cylinder, takes out the pins, installs new ones that match a fresh key, and reassembles it. Then the technician tests the new key repeatedly, and checks that the old key no longer turns. Most residential locks from common makers can be rekeyed, though worn or damaged cylinders may need replacement instead, and the technician will tell you which applies. If the technician finds a damaged part, you will hear about it before anything is replaced, along with the choices you have and what each one involves in plain terms.
Before any work begins, we confirm ownership or authority and explain the scope and any quote. Please call us to confirm availability, and tell us how many doors are involved, what brand the locks are, and whether you want all doors on one key. Having that information ready makes the conversation clearer and helps us plan the visit sensibly. Photos of the doors or the lock faces, sent ahead if you can, help us prepare the right tools and avoid surprises on site. Bring any paperwork you have for the property.
Choosing between rekeying and replacing hardware
Replacing the lock is the better answer when the hardware is damaged, loose, badly worn or simply no longer suited to the door. It also makes sense when you want a different level of security, a different finish, or a keypad or smart feature. Rekeying makes sense when the lock itself is sound and the only problem is who holds keys. Sometimes the two combine: replace one weak door, rekey the rest. Take your time with this decision, and ask us to compare both routes for your doors, since the better path really does depend on the hardware you have now.
Consider the age and condition of the hardware. In coastal South Florida, salt air and humidity wear metal parts faster than in drier regions, so older locks may feel rough. If a lock sticks, grinds or has loose parts, the technician can show you the problem and discuss options. Do not feel pressure to replace everything, and do not feel pressure to rekey something that is failing. If you are renting, the choice may not be yours alone, so check what your lease allows before you commit to changes that stay with the door.
Cost and convenience matter, but so does consistency. Having all exterior doors on the same key is often more practical than carrying a ring of different ones. Mixed hardware brands can still be keyed alike in many cases. Ask about it when you call, and we will explain the scope and any quote before work begins. Authority is checked before work on any lock. When several doors are involved, we can often mix the two approaches, which keeps the work tidy and the key ring simple.
Hardware types you can ask about
The Rekey and Hardware section covers more than keys in a cylinder. Deadbolts, knob and lever sets, keypad deadbolts, smart locks, high-security cylinders and door hardware all appear here, and each has its own pages explaining what to expect. If you are not sure which type you have, describe the door to us on the call, or look for a brand name on the latch or the bolt edge. If you have an unusual lock, such as a very old mortise set, tell us ahead of time, because those may need different tools and a different plan.
A few common categories help orient the conversation. A single-cylinder deadbolt is keyed on the outside and turned by hand inside. A double-cylinder version needs a key on both sides. A keypad lock adds a code, with a physical key backup. Handle sets combine a latch with a handle, and they may or may not include a deadbolt. Knowing which you have helps us bring the right parts. A quick description of the door material, wood, metal or glass, also helps us bring the proper screws and drill bits in case an adjustment is needed.
If you plan to upgrade, think about the whole door, not only the lock. The strike plate, the frame, the screws and the hinges all contribute. We will look at these and tell you plainly where the weak points are. We check ownership or authority before work, explain the scope and any quote before work begins, and ask you to call us to confirm availability. If a lock is difficult to identify, a clear photo of the face and the edge plate usually tells us enough to start a useful conversation on the phone.
Preparing for the appointment
A little preparation makes a rekey go smoothly. Gather every key you have for the doors in question, including spares and any that are rarely used. Bring them to the door so the technician can test them. Clear the area around the door so there is room to work, and let anyone in the household know that locks will be briefly out of use while the work happens. Have the best contact number ready for whoever will be at the property, as a message left with the wrong person can slow everything down.
Prepare your proof of ownership or authority. A lease, a utility bill, a mortgage statement or a message from the owner can help. Tenants should have permission from the landlord. Property managers should have written authority from the owner. We check this before touching any lock, and it protects you as much as it protects the property. If someone besides you will be present for the work, tell them what to expect, who we are expecting to meet and what documents they may be asked to show.
Think about what else you might want done while we are there. Maybe a sticking latch, a loose handle or a strike plate that needs attention. Mention it on the call so we can plan. We explain the scope and any quote before work begins, and we ask that you call us to confirm availability since we do not want to promise a time we cannot honor. Keep your proof of address handy even if you think it will not be needed, because that small step prevents delays when an extra check is requested.
Rekeying for different kinds of properties
Homeowners often rekey after buying a home, since previous owners, agents, contractors and neighbors may all have had keys. Renters may need landlord approval and should check the lease first. Landlords may rekey between tenants, keeping a master list of who holds what. Small businesses rekey when staff leave or when a key is lost. Each case calls for slightly different paperwork and different decisions about who pays and who approves. Landlords who manage several units should have their own list ready, with unit numbers and the key holders for each, so the work follows a clear plan.
Multi-unit and association properties involve additional layers. Doors that belong to the building may be managed by the association, while the unit door belongs to the owner. Confirm who has authority before calling. In some buildings, master keys exist, and rekeying a unit may affect that arrangement. Management can tell you what is allowed. We always check authority before opening or changing a lock. For a business, tell us who is allowed to approve the work, as a clear point of contact avoids confusion if staff are changing during the process.
Vehicles and garages are sometimes bundled into the conversation. Keep in mind that car keys and house keys are separate matters, and some vehicle keys include electronic parts that need different handling. If you want to ask about something beyond doors, mention it when you call us to confirm availability. We explain the scope and any quote before work begins. If your property is part of an association, send us a note from the board or manager ahead of time so there is no pause at the door.
What to expect after the work
When the work is finished, test every key at every door with the technician present. Turn each one smoothly, in both directions, and try the old key to confirm that it no longer works. If anything feels stiff or unusual, say so right then. A good technician will adjust it before leaving. Taking a minute to test now avoids a frustrating discovery in the dark. If any new key feels rough, ask the technician to look at it right then, because early adjustments are far easier than later complaints.
Take care of the keys afterward. Label the new set, hand them only to people who need them, and write down who holds each one. Dispose of or mark old keys so they are not mixed in by accident. If you use a lockbox or a hidden spare, update it. A rekey only helps if the new keys remain controlled. Replace the old copy of the key list with the new one, and tell everyone with a key how to reach you if one is lost, so the cycle does not begin again and nobody wonders who to tell.
If something develops later, such as a key that begins to stick or a lock that feels different after a storm, call us and describe it. Humid weather can affect doors and frames, and sometimes the lock is not at fault. We will explain the scope and any quote before work begins, and we check ownership or authority before any work. Please call us to confirm availability. Humid air can swell wood and slow a lock, so a sticky door in summer is not always a sign that something is wrong with the rekey. If it persists, call us and describe when it happens, and we will look at the frame as well.