Rekeying a house costs $105-$155 for the first door and $45-$65 for each additional door on the same visit. A typical 3-door Treasure Coast home runs $195-$295 total. Rekeying is 30-40% cheaper than replacing locks and takes 15-30 minutes per door.
- 20+Years on the Treasure Coast
- 5095-Star Google Reviews
- <30 minTypical Port St. Lucie Response
- $89-150Most Emergency Calls
What Is Rekeying and How Does It Work?
Rekeying changes the internal pin configuration inside your lock cylinder. The locksmith removes the cylinder from the lock body, takes out the existing pins, inserts new pins that match a new key, and reinstalls the cylinder. Old keys no longer work.
New keys do. The lock hardware stays on your door - same knob, same deadbolt, same appearance.
Think of it like changing the combination on a padlock. The padlock stays the same. The combination is different.
Anyone with the old combination (or old key, in lock terms) can no longer open it.
The entire process takes a professional locksmith 15-30 minutes per door. Most of that time is spent removing the cylinder, repinning, and reinstalling - the actual pin swap takes 3-5 minutes for an experienced tech.
2026 Rekey Pricing on the Treasure Coast
Treasure Coast rekey pricing (Port St. Lucie, Stuart, Vero Beach, Fort Pierce, Jensen Beach, and surrounding cities) runs 10-15% below Miami and Palm Beach markets.
First door: $105-$155. This includes the service call (driving to your home), the rekey work itself, and 2 new keys. The first door carries the service call fee that doesn't repeat for additional doors.
Each additional door (same visit): $45-$65. Once the locksmith is set up with the pinning kit and working keys, additional doors are primarily labor time. The cost drops significantly per lock as you add more.
Common home rekey packages:
- 2-door home (front + back): $120-$195
- 3-door home (front + back + garage-to-house): $195-$295
- 4-door home (front + back + garage + side): $170-$295
- 5-6 door home (all exterior entries): $195-$345
Extra keys: $3-$8 each for standard brass keys. Most families want 4-6 keys (two per adult, one spare hidden, one with trusted neighbor).
All doors keyed alike: Standard practice at no extra charge. One key works every rekeyed lock. This is the default unless you specifically request different keys for different doors.
| Service | Flat-Rate Cost | After-Hours Add | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential lockout | $89 - $150 | +$20 - $40 | Most common emergency call; under 30 min response in Port St. Lucie |
| Automotive lockout | $89 - $150 | +$20 - $40 | Tools + common key blanks on-truck |
| Commercial lockout | $125+ | +$30 - $50 | Storefront, panic-bar, mortise hardware |
| Car key replacement | $150+ | +$30 - $50 | Cutting + transponder programming on-site |
| Rekey (per cylinder) | $20 - $40 | n/a | Often added to a lockout call same trip |
| Broken key extraction | $75 - $125 | +$20 - $40 | Frequently paired with a rekey |
All pricing quoted flat-rate before work begins. Florida-licensed, fully insured, written receipt provided.
When Should You Rekey Your Home?
After Buying a New Home (Most Common)
This is the #1 rekey reason on the Treasure Coast. When you buy a home, you have no idea who has keys. Previous owners kept copies.
Real estate agents had lockbox access. Inspectors, appraisers, contractors, and cleaning crews all may have been given keys during the sale process. The seller's relatives, neighbors, or former roommates might have copies from years ago.
Rekey within the first week of closing. Don't wait. The cost is minimal compared to the security risk of unknown key holders.
In Port St. Lucie's Tradition community alone, we rekey 3-5 new home purchases per week during peak real estate season.
After Tenant Turnover (Landlords)
Florida landlords should rekey between every tenant. Former tenants may have made extra copies, given keys to friends or partners, or lost keys that were never reported. Rekey is a business expense that prevents liability.
Property managers across Port St. Lucie, Fort Pierce, Stuart, and Vero Beach know this - most have standing service agreements with locksmith companies for turnover rekey. The cost of rekey ($195-$295 per unit) is a fraction of the liability exposure from a former tenant retaining access.
After Losing Keys
If your keys are truly lost (not just misplaced inside the house), rekey immediately. Whoever finds your keys might also find your address - from attached tags, car registration in the same keyring, or other identifying information. The security risk is ongoing until you rekey.
After a Break-In
Post-burglary rekey prevents the burglar from returning with keys they may have taken. Even if no keys were visibly stolen, you can't be certain. Rekey as part of post-burglary security restoration, alongside any door or frame repair needed.
After Contractor Work
Gave keys to a contractor for renovation work? Rekey after the project is complete. Contractors sometimes make unauthorized copies or share keys with subcontractors.
You don't know how many copies exist.
After Relationship Changes
Roommates moving out, ended relationships where partners had keys, or family situations changing. Rekey restores your personal security and privacy.
Rekey vs Replace: When Each Makes Sense
Rekey when:
- Locks are mechanically sound (work properly, no sticking or wear)
- You want to change who has key access
- Budget matters - rekey is 30-40% of replacement cost
- You like your existing hardware (appearance, brand, features)
- Landlord turnover - frequent changes favor rekey over replacement
Replace when:
- Locks are damaged, worn, or mechanically failing
- Upgrading security level (Grade 3 to Grade 1, standard to high-security)
- Upgrading features (adding smart lock, keypad, or electronic access)
- Locks are very old (20+ years) and parts are unavailable
- Aesthetic upgrade (changing finish, style, or brand)
Cost comparison: Rekey a Schlage deadbolt: ~$45-$65 (labor only, same visit). Replace with new Schlage B60N: $195-$295. Rekey saves $140-$240 per lock when the existing lock is fine.
Can You Rekey Locks Yourself? (Kwikset SmartKey)
Kwikset SmartKey is the one major exception to "call a locksmith for rekey." SmartKey locks have a special mechanism that allows the homeowner to rekey using the existing working key, a new key, and the included SmartKey tool (a small pointed metal tool).
SmartKey DIY process:
- Insert the current working key and turn 90 degrees (to the learn position)
- Insert the SmartKey tool fully into the SmartKey hole
- Remove the SmartKey tool
- Remove the current key
- Insert the new key and turn back to the starting position
The lock is now rekeyed to the new key. Takes about 30 seconds per lock. Free (after buying the lock).
Limitations: You must have the current working key. If you lost the key, SmartKey self-rekey doesn't work - you need a locksmith. Also, SmartKey is only available on Kwikset products.
Schlage, Baldwin, and other brands require professional rekeying.
What About High-Security Locks?
Rekeying Medeco, Mul-T-Lock, Schlage Primus, and other high-security/restricted keyway locks costs more than standard rekey. Expect $65-$125 per cylinder instead of $45-$65. The premium reflects specialized pinning requirements and restricted keyway authorization.
Important: restricted keyway rekey requires an authorized dealer. Medeco keys can only be cut by authorized Medeco dealers. Mul-T-Lock requires Mul-T-Lock authorization.
If your locksmith isn't authorized for your specific high-security brand, they can't rekey it. Treasure Coast Locksmith maintains authorization for major restricted keyway systems.
Treasure Coast Rekey Tips
New home buyers in Tradition, St. Lucie West, Palm City: These planned communities have high home turnover. Rekey within the first week of closing - the previous owner likely shared keys with landscapers, pool services, and house cleaners.
Coastal properties (Jensen Beach, Hutchinson Island, Vero Beach beachside): Salt air corrodes lock internals over time. If your locks are stiff or difficult to operate during rekey, the locksmith may recommend replacement rather than rekeying corroded cylinders.
Snowbird properties: Rekey before departing for the season if you shared keys with anyone during winter. Don't leave a key hidden outside for months - better to have a trusted neighbor with a key or install a smart lock for temporary code access.
All doors keyed alike: Always request this. One key for every exterior door. No fumbling through a keyring.
Standard practice at no extra charge.
Related Services