Treasure Coast Locksmith provides lock rekeying service $45/lock services in Port St. Lucie, Stuart, Fort Pierce, Vero Beach, Jensen Beach, and across the Treasure Coast. Call (772) 758-1322 for mobile service. Lock rekeying swaps the pin tumblers inside your existing lock cylinder so your old keys no longer work. It is 70% cheaper than replacing the whole lock, just as secure, and finishes in 60-90 minutes for a typical Treasure Coast home. Mobile service, $25 per cylinder.
You just closed on a home in Tradition. The seller handed you three keys, but their realtor mentioned the cleaner and the prior property manager also had copies. You have no idea how many keys are really out there.
Or you just had a break-up, a divorce, a contractor fired, or a tenant who moved out with attitude. Whatever the situation, the common thread is: people you do not trust might have working keys to your home.
Lock rekeying is the answer. It is not a lock replacement. It is a surgical swap of the little brass pin tumblers inside your existing lock cylinder.
Twenty minutes later your old keys are garbage and your new key is the only one that works. Treasure Coast Locksmith does rekeys across every city and town in St. Lucie, Martin, and Indian River counties.
Why does lock rekeying beat full lock replacement?
- 70% cheaper than replacement - $25/cylinder vs. $80-150 for a new deadbolt.
- Identical security - same Grade 1 or Grade 2 lock body, new pin stack.
- Finishes in 60-90 minutes - a typical Treasure Coast home has 4-7 exterior cylinders.
- Keeps your existing hardware - same finish, same handle set, no painter touch-up.
- One key for every door - front, back, side, and garage all on one key if you want.
- Same-day service - call in the morning, done by afternoon in most cases.
- Mobile at your home - no need to remove hardware and drive anywhere.
- Works on smart locks too - Schlage Encode, Kwikset Halo, and Yale Assure all rekeyable.
When do Treasure Coast homeowners need rekeying?
Every rekey call has a story. These are the ones we hear most often from real customers.
Situations that call for a rekey
- Just closed on a home in Torino and the prior owner admits several contractors and a cleaner had keys over the years.
- A rental tenant moved out of your Port Salerno property and you need the next tenant to have fresh locks before lease start.
- Divorce is finalizing and you want to make sure your ex has no working key to the Jensen Beach home you kept.
- Lost a key somewhere in town and do not know whether someone else picked it up with your address on a tag.
- A housekeeper or nanny you trusted has been let go and had a copy of the front door key.
- You bought a Stuart vacation rental and want to reset keys for every seasonal cleaner, handyman, and guest.
- An Airbnb guest gave you a bad feeling and you want to rotate the key before the next booking.
- A maintenance contractor went sour on a job and still has a master key you gave them.
How does a lock rekey actually work?
Every pin tumbler lock contains a stack of small brass pins of varying heights. When you insert a key, the cuts on the key blade push each pin up to exactly the right height, aligning a shear line that lets the cylinder rotate. If the pins do not line up, the cylinder does not turn.
That is the entire mechanism.
Rekeying a cylinder means pulling the cylinder out of the lock, removing the existing pin stack, and loading a new pin stack cut to match a new key. The lock body stays. The latch, strike, screws, and finish all stay.
Only the tiny brass pins change. A skilled locksmith can rekey a standard five-pin Schlage or Kwikset cylinder in 8 to 12 minutes.
For a typical Treasure Coast home with a front door deadbolt, front door handle, back door, side garage entry, and maybe a pool gate, that is 5 cylinders at 10 minutes each - call it an hour onsite including the walk-through and key-cutting at the truck.
We cut the new key with a HPC Blitz or ITL 950C code machine from the new pin specification, then test every cylinder before leaving. You receive two copies of the new key. Additional copies are cut on the spot for a few dollars each if you want duplicates for household members.
One important note: "rekeying" is different from "replacing" a lock. A full replacement means pulling the whole lock body and installing a new one. Rekeying keeps the existing lock.
Both get you to the same end result (old keys stop working), but rekeying is 70% cheaper and takes a third of the time. The only reason to replace instead of rekey is if the existing lock is actually damaged or worn out.
Rekeying is also compatible with smart locks. Schlage Encode, Kwikset Halo Touch, and Yale Assure all use a standard pin tumbler backup cylinder that can be rekeyed the same way. Only the backup mechanical key changes; the digital codes are managed in the app.
What happens during a lock rekey service call?
Phone call and flat quote
Call (772) 758-1322. We ask how many cylinders you have and the brand if you know it. Flat rate quoted over the phone.
Technician arrives
Mobile truck arrives in 20-45 minutes depending on city. We stock all common brands (Schlage, Kwikset, Medeco, Mul-T-Lock, Yale, Baldwin).
Rekey and new keys cut
We pull each cylinder, swap the pin stack, reinstall, and cut the new keys on the truck. About 10 minutes per cylinder.
Test and handoff
Every cylinder tested before we leave. You receive two copies of the new key. Workmanship warranty in writing.
Rekeying tips from 20 years of residential work
- Ask for matched keying so every exterior door opens with the same key. Costs nothing extra and saves years of fumbling.
- Rekey the pool gate, garage side door, and mailbox at the same visit. Most homeowners forget these and they are common weak points.
- If you have a Schlage smart lock with a mechanical backup, rekey the backup cylinder at the same visit. We do this routinely.
- Get two keys per adult in the household. Third copies for grandkids or trusted neighbors cost $3-5 each.
- Keep one spare key with a trusted neighbor or in a monitored lockbox. Not under a planter or inside a fake rock.
- Rekey again any time you have reason to believe a key is compromised. At $25 per cylinder it is cheap insurance.
What do rekeying jobs in Port St. Lucie actually look like?
Most rekey calls in Port St. Lucie come from one of three situations: closing on a new home, a tenant or roommate move-out, or losing track of who has a key. Here's how each plays out.
New home closings (Tradition, St. Lucie West, PGA Village). Builder homes from 2018 onward usually have Kwikset or Schlage builder-grade hardware. We rekey 4-6 exterior cylinders (front entry, garage entry, back patio, side gate) for $245-$320 all-in. Most new homeowners call us within 7-14 days of closing. We can match your schedule for evenings or weekends if you're moving in during the week.
Tenant turnover (rental properties across PSL). Property managers rekey between every tenant - it's the cheapest possible insurance against a former tenant retaining a key. We bill rentals at the same $45 per cylinder rate, and most PSL property managers have a standing arrangement with us for same-day rekey on lease changeovers. Master keying is available for portfolios of 5+ properties.
Lost-track-of-keys situations. The cleaner stopped showing up six months ago. The contractor never came back for the spare. The previous dog walker is who-knows-where. If you don't know exactly who has a working key to your house, the answer is to rekey - $245-$320 buys you a fresh key set and the peace of mind that only the people you handed a key to can get in. See our cost to rekey a house guide for a deeper breakdown.
Rekey vs replace: rekeying makes sense if your hardware is in working order. Replacing makes sense if a cylinder is corroded, the lock body is loose, or the grade isn't what you want. Most PSL homes built after 2010 are best served by rekeying existing Schlage and Kwikset locks. Owner Darko Ezias makes the call onsite based on what he sees - we don't push replacement when a rekey will do.
Related services
Other Treasure Coast Locksmith services in this cluster.
Lock rekeying FAQs
Common questions from Treasure Coast homeowners about the rekey service.
How much does it cost to rekey a home across the Treasure Coast?
Treasure Coast Locksmith charges $45 per lock plus a service call fee. Standard residential Kwikset and Schlage locks are at the $45 range; commercial and high-security cylinders run higher. A typical 5-cylinder home rekey runs $225 to $295 all-in.
Homes with Medeco, Mul-T-Lock, or Schlage Primus restricted cylinders cost more due to the specialty pin work involved.
Is rekeying as secure as buying a new lock?
Yes, assuming your existing lock is in working order. Rekeying swaps the pin tumblers inside the existing cylinder to match a new key. The lock body, deadbolt throw, strike, and grade rating all stay the same.
For Grade 1 and Grade 2 locks, rekeying delivers identical security to installing a new cylinder of the same grade.
How long does rekeying take?
About 10 to 12 minutes per cylinder for standard Schlage and Kwikset locks. A typical Treasure Coast home has 4 to 7 exterior cylinders, so figure 60 to 90 minutes onsite including the walk-through and key cutting. High-security Medeco and Mul-T-Lock cylinders take 20 to 30 minutes each.
Can you rekey a Schlage smart lock?
Yes. Schlage Encode, Connect, and Sense smart locks all have a standard mechanical backup cylinder that can be rekeyed. We swap the pin stack in the backup cylinder; the digital codes are managed through the Schlage app independently.
Same for Yale Assure, Kwikset Halo, and August smart locks with a mechanical cylinder.
Do you rekey pool gate locks and garage side doors?
Yes. Pool gate locks, garage side entry doors, and even some mailbox locks can be rekeyed. We recommend rekeying them at the same visit as your main house so every cylinder is on the same matched key.
Most homeowners forget these and they are the weakest points in coastal Florida security.
Can you match my new key to the existing key pattern?
Yes. If you want to keep a specific key cut pattern (for convenience, or because you already have multiple copies in circulation you do not want to recall), we can rekey new cylinders to match your existing key rather than cutting a new key. Just mention it when you call.
How many keys do I get with a rekey?
Two copies of the new key per rekey job. Additional copies are cut on the truck for $3 to $5 each for standard Kwikset and Schlage keys. Restricted keyway cylinders (Medeco, Mul-T-Lock) require authorized duplication, which we provide but at a higher per-copy rate.
Will rekeying damage my lock or hardware?
No. Rekeying is a non-invasive procedure that removes, modifies, and reinstalls the cylinder with the same screws and finish. If your hardware is in good working order when we arrive, it remains in the same condition when we leave.
If a cylinder is already damaged before we rekey, we will tell you and recommend replacement.
Do you rekey Kwikset SmartKey locks?
Yes. Kwikset SmartKey is a re-pin-free system that the homeowner can technically rekey with a learn tool, but many homeowners prefer to have us verify the job and cut new keys at the same visit. We charge the standard $45 per lock for SmartKey rekeying.
What if my lock is too old or worn to rekey?
We check every cylinder before starting the job. If a cylinder is too worn to rekey reliably, we recommend replacement with a matching new cylinder. The new cylinder costs $35 to $65 on top of the service call.
We confirm the price before proceeding so there are no surprises.
Can you rekey restricted key systems like Medeco?
Yes, but only for the documented authorized keyholder. Medeco M3, Mul-T-Lock MT5+, and Schlage Primus are restricted keyway systems with legal duplication controls. We rekey them routinely for Treasure Coast customers but need to verify you are the authorized holder before cutting new keys.
Do you rekey commercial locks too?
Yes. Commercial lock rekeying is billed at a slightly higher rate ($35 to $60 per cylinder) because commercial cylinders (Best 8K, Sargent, Corbin Russwin, Schlage L-series) are more complex than residential. Commercial rekeys typically happen as part of a tenant turnover or employee termination and we prioritize them.
How much does it cost to rekey locks in Port St Lucie?
Rekey pricing in Port St. Lucie: $45 per cylinder plus a $65-$95 service call. A typical 5-door PSL home runs $290-$320 all-in. New construction in Tradition with builder-grade Kwikset hardware is usually $245-$285.
Restricted-keyway homes (Medeco, Mul-T-Lock) run $75-$95 per cylinder. Treasure Coast Locksmith confirms a flat price before any work starts.
Do I need to rekey my locks after buying a house?
Yes. The previous owner, their realtor, contractors, cleaning crews, dog walkers, and anyone who came through during showings might still have a working key. Rekeying takes 60-90 minutes and runs $245-$320 for an average PSL home.
Most homeowners book it the same week they close. New homes from major builders also benefit - subcontractor keys are common.
Should I rekey or replace my locks?
Rekey if the locks are mechanically sound and the right grade. Replace if the locks are damaged, badly corroded from salt air, or below the security grade you want. Rekeying runs $45 per cylinder; full lock replacement runs $95-$295 per cylinder for residential hardware.
Most Treasure Coast homes are best served by rekeying existing Schlage and Kwikset locks rather than replacing.
Can a locksmith rekey a lock without the original key?
Yes. Rekeying doesn't require an original key - we open the cylinder, remove all existing pins, install new pins to match a fresh key cut, and reassemble. The whole job takes 10-15 minutes per lock.
If the cylinder is locked closed and you have no working key, we can pick or drill it open first, then rekey for normal pricing.
Can you rekey all my locks to one key?
Yes. Keying all exterior locks to a single matched key is the most-requested rekey configuration. Front, back, side, garage entry, pool gate - all one key. Standard service.
Mixed-brand homes (Schlage front + Kwikset back) can usually be keyed alike if the cylinders share the same keyway, which most modern Schlage SC1 and Kwikset KW1 locks do.
How often should you rekey your locks?
After buying a home, after losing a key, after a divorce or roommate move-out, after a contractor or housekeeper relationship ends, or after any break-in. There's no fixed schedule otherwise - if your key situation hasn't changed, your rekey doesn't need to either.
Most Treasure Coast homeowners rekey 2-4 times across the lifetime of their home.
Can you rekey locks while I'm at work?
Yes. Rekey jobs work well as drop-and-go service. We arrive, you hand off the existing key, we work outside while you stay at home or step out, and we hand you the new keys when finished.
Total disruption to your day is usually 60-90 minutes. After-hours and weekend rekeys are also available across the Treasure Coast.
Lock Rekeying by city
Treasure Coast Locksmith provides lock rekeying service across every Treasure Coast city. Each page has city-specific response times, neighborhoods, and local details.
- Lock Rekeying Port St. Lucie
- Lock Rekeying Fort Pierce
- Lock Rekeying Stuart
- Lock Rekeying Vero Beach
- Lock Rekeying Sebastian
- Lock Rekeying Jensen Beach
- Lock Rekeying Palm City
- Lock Rekeying Hobe Sound
- Lock Rekeying Tradition
- Lock Rekeying Hutchinson Island
- Lock Rekeying Indiantown
- Lock Rekeying Jupiter Island
- Lock Rekeying Port Salerno