Should You Rekey or Replace Your Locks? A Complete Guide for Albuquerque Homeowners

One of the most common questions we get from Albuquerque homeowners is: "Should I rekey my locks or replace them entirely?" The answer depends on your specific situation, budget, and security needs. This comprehensive guide will help you make the right decision and potentially save hundreds of dollars.

What Is Lock Rekeying?

Lock rekeying is the process of changing the internal pins inside your lock cylinder so that old keys no longer work. Your existing locks stay in place—we simply reconfigure them to work with new keys. It's like changing the "password" to your lock without replacing the entire "computer."

How it works: A professional locksmith removes the lock cylinder, takes out the old pins, and replaces them with new pins that match a different key. The lock hardware remains installed on your door. The entire process takes 10-15 minutes per lock.

What Is Lock Replacement?

Lock replacement means removing your existing locks completely and installing brand new locks. This includes the entire lock assembly: the cylinder, the latch mechanism, the exterior and interior hardware, and the strike plate.

What's involved: The locksmith uninstalls your old locks, may need to fill or enlarge holes in your door, and installs completely new hardware. This takes 30-45 minutes per lock and costs significantly more than rekeying.

When to Choose Rekeying (Save 70-80%)

Rekeying is the smart, cost-effective choice in these situations:

• Moving into a new home: Previous owners, real estate agents, contractors, inspectors, and cleaners may all have copies of your keys. Rekey within 24-48 hours of closing for peace of mind.
• Lost or stolen keys: If your keys are lost or stolen, rekeying makes them useless immediately without the expense of new locks.
• Employee termination: If a business employee with keys is terminated, rekey those locks the same day for security.
• Roommate moving out: When someone with key access leaves, rekeying ensures they can't return unexpectedly.
• Too many key copies: If you've given out keys to multiple people over the years and lost track, start fresh with rekeying.
• Creating a master key system: Businesses can rekey multiple locks to work with both individual keys and a master key.

When to Choose Lock Replacement

Lock replacement is necessary or beneficial in these scenarios:

• Damaged or broken locks: If your lock is jammed, the key won't turn, or the mechanism is broken, you need replacement, not rekeying.
• Low-quality locks: If you have builder-grade or low-security locks (Grade 3), upgrade to Grade 1 deadbolts for significantly better protection.
• Upgrading to smart locks: Want keyless entry, remote access, or smartphone control? You'll need to replace your traditional locks with smart locks.
• Different lock brands: If you want all locks to work with one key but have mixed brands (Schlage, Kwikset, etc.), you'll need to replace some to match.
• Worn or old locks: Locks older than 10-15 years may have worn internal components that make rekeying unreliable.
• High-security upgrades: Want pick-resistant or drill-resistant locks? Brands like Medeco or Mul-T-Lock require complete replacement.

Cost Breakdown: Real Numbers from Albuquerque

Here's what you can expect to pay for a typical Albuquerque home with 4 exterior doors (front, back, garage entry, and side door):