Many factors enter into the price of rekeying. Brand of lock Is there a working key? Condition of existing locks As an example: a Kwikset entry knob brought into the shop will cost $10.00 to rekey. The price of our replacement lock is $24.50. If we go out to rekey the cost is $10.00 for the rekey and a trip charge to your location. There's also a charge to R&R a new lock. Some brands of locks require a working key in order to service the lock. Without the key an additional charge is added. How can I tell what brand of lock I have?
Many locks have the brand name on the latch on the edge of the door. Some deadbolts have the brand on the face of the lock where the key goes in. The key for the lock may have a brand name or in the case of duplicates an identifying number. The shape of the head of the key may also indicate the brand. Here are some common house key silhouettes.
Unfortunately, while this may give us the brand, it doesn't necessarily tell us the keyway. Schlage, Yale, and many others come in different key profiles, usually denoted with a letter or letters. Schlage, for instance has "C", "E", "F", etc. But, knowing the BRAND of the lock is important. The hardware store said I have a "chip" in my key. What is that?
Newer vehicles have augmented their anti-theft systems with electronic chips or transponders. In it's simplest form the key communicates with the car's on board computer to let it know the proper key is being used. Depending on the Make, Model and Year of your vehicle, we may be able to provide duplicate keys. Your owners manual may provide you with more information. My key doesn't work as smoothly as it used to. Do I need a new lock? Because both the key and the tumblers inside the lock are metal, the keys and tumblers wear with use. This is especially common in vehicle keys where other keys on the same ring provide extra weight and therefore, extra wear. Often we can "decode" your key and cut a new one using factory specifications. Prices range from $7.25 to around $15.00 and are generally less expensive than new locks. I just bought a new house. The realtor said using my key would disable the "builders" key. Correct? While using your key will stop the builders key from working, master pins remain in the lock which will allow multiple keys to work. They also make picking the lock easier. As an example, if each chamber of a five pin lock contained one master pin, 35 different keys will work that lock. It's probably a good idea to have the locks rekeyed to remove any remaining master pins. What is Key Bumping? Key bumping is a technique to open a lock that has been used by locksmiths for years. It's not often used and not all locks are susceptible. Recent media reports have heightened awareness of the method, but in the Phoenix Arizona area, no crimes have been reported where bumping has been a method of entry.