How Much Does Lock Rekeying Cost in Sydney?

Rekeying is one of the most useful and most misunderstood services a locksmith offers. Many people assume that "changing the locks" means buying new hardware for every door. In a lot of cases it does not. If your locks are in good condition, rekeying them gives you the same practical result, old keys stop working, for considerably less than full replacement.

This article explains what rekeying involves, what affects the cost across Sydney and in the Hornsby area in particular, and how to make sure you are paying for the right job. As with all of our guides, we do not quote fixed prices online, because the number of locks, their type and their condition all change the answer. What we can do is show you how the cost is built so you can judge any quote with confidence.

What rekeying actually involves

Most common door locks use a pin-tumbler cylinder. Inside the cylinder is a row of small pins of different lengths, each sitting on a spring. When the right key is inserted, it lifts every pin to exactly the right height so the cylinder can turn. A different key lifts the pins to different heights, and the cylinder stays locked.

Rekeying changes those internal pins so the lock responds to a new key. The locksmith removes the cylinder from the door, takes out the plug, replaces the pins with a new combination, reassembles everything and cuts new keys to match. The lock body, the handles, the strike plate and the door itself all stay exactly as they were.

Because only the internal combination changes, rekeying is usually quicker than replacing a lock and uses far fewer parts. That is the main reason it costs less.

The factors that set the price

Rekeying costs vary across Sydney, but the same handful of factors determine almost every quote.

The number of cylinders. Each cylinder is rekeyed individually, so a home with a front deadlock, a back door, two security screen doors and a garage personnel door has five cylinders to work on. The more cylinders, the higher the total, although the cost per cylinder often drops when several are done in one visit.

The type of lock. Standard cylinder deadlocks and entrance sets are usually straightforward. Some locks are more involved: older mortice locks, certain sliding door locks, and locks where the cylinder is awkward to remove. Restricted or patented key systems may require authorisation from the system holder and keys ordered through a specific channel.

The number of keys. Each lock is rekeyed to the new combination, and then keys are cut. Most people want enough keys for everyone in the household plus a spare or two. Additional keys add a modest amount.

Keying alike. If you want all of your locks to work from one key, the locksmith needs to confirm the locks use compatible cylinders and set them all to the same combination. This is very common and very convenient, and it is usually done as part of the same visit.

Travel and timing. Rekeying is rarely an emergency, unless it follows stolen keys. Booking it as planned work, rather than late at night, is typically the most economical approach. We include any travel or timing component in the quote we give you before work starts.

Rekeying versus replacing: the cost comparison

The question we are asked most often is whether to rekey or replace. Here is the honest comparison.

Rekeying is usually the cheaper choice when:

• the locks are in good working order;
• you are happy with the type and quality of the existing hardware;
• your goal is simply to stop old keys working.

Replacement is usually the better spend when:

• a lock is worn, sticky or has been forced;
• the existing hardware is low quality or no longer suits how the door is used;
• the lock cannot be rekeyed economically, as is the case with some budget products;
• you want a different type of lock, for example adding a deadlock to a door that only had a latch.

A good locksmith should tell you which category each of your locks falls into, rather than defaulting to the more expensive option. Our lock rekeying service and lock replacement service pages explain each in more detail. If you are still unsure, our guide Rekey or Replace Locks? How to Decide walks through the decision step by step.

When rekeying makes the most sense

Rekeying is not just for emergencies. These are the situations where it gives the most value.

After buying a home. You have no way of knowing how many keys to your new home exist. Previous owners, their family, agents, cleaners, tradespeople and neighbours may all hold one. Rekeying every external lock in the first week is one of the cheapest and most effective security steps you can take.

Between tenancies. Landlords and agents often rekey between tenants. It costs far less than replacing locks every time and keeps the key list clean. In New South Wales there are rules about changing locks in rented homes, which we cover in our guide to landlord and tenant lock change rules.

After lost or stolen keys. If keys go missing and could be linked to your address, rekeying makes them useless. This is one of the few situations where rekeying is genuinely urgent.

When people move out. Housemates leaving, a relationship ending or staff leaving a business are all good reasons to reset who can open the door.

To simplify your keys. Many homes end up with a different key for every door. Rekeying them alike can turn a handful of keys into one.

How to avoid paying more than you need to

A few practical steps keep rekeying costs reasonable.

Count your cylinders before you call. Walk around the house and note every lock that takes a key: front door, back door, side door, security screens, garage personnel door, sliding doors and side gates. Telling the locksmith up front gives you a more accurate quote.

Decide on keying alike in advance. If you want everything on one key, say so when you book. It saves a second visit later.

Do it all in one visit. Rekeying three locks today and two more next month usually costs more than doing all five together.

Ask what is not included. If some locks cannot be rekeyed, you should know before work starts, along with the price to replace them.

Keep track of your keys afterwards. Rekeying resets your key list. Record how many keys exist and who holds them, so you know exactly where you stand.

Rekeying for businesses

Businesses benefit from rekeying for the same reasons as households, with an added layer: staff turnover. Every time a key holder leaves without returning all copies, the business has a gap in its security.

Rekeying the affected locks closes that gap quickly. For some businesses, it also makes sense to set up a simple arrangement where a manager key opens several doors while staff keys open only the doors they need. Whether that is possible depends on the existing hardware. Our commercial locksmith service page explains how we approach this for shops, offices and workshops around Hornsby.

What happens on a typical rekeying visit

Knowing what to expect on the day makes it easier to judge whether a quote is fair. Here is how a typical rekeying visit runs at a Hornsby home with four or five external locks.

Walk-through. We start by looking at every lock you want changed. We check how each one operates, whether the cylinder turns smoothly, whether the bolt throws fully and whether the door is aligned. If one of the locks is worn, damaged or cannot be rekeyed economically, this is when we tell you, before anything is taken apart.

Agreeing the plan. You confirm which locks are being rekeyed, whether they are being keyed alike, and how many keys you need. If any lock needs replacing instead, you get that price alongside the rekeying price so you can decide.

Rekeying each cylinder. Each cylinder is removed from the door, the plug is taken out and the pins are replaced with the new combination. On most standard cylinders this is a quick, tidy job. Older or less common locks take a little longer.

Cutting and testing keys. New keys are cut to the combination and every key is tried in every lock while you watch. A key that works but feels rough is re-cut until it operates cleanly.

Handover. You receive every key, and we confirm how many exist so you know exactly who can open your doors. If we noticed anything else worth attention, such as a strike plate held in by short screws or a door that has started to drop, we mention it and leave the decision with you.

Common questions about rekeying costs

Is rekeying always cheaper than new locks? Usually, because it reuses your hardware. The exception is a lock that is worn or weak enough that you will need to replace it soon anyway; in that case rekeying it first means paying twice.

Do restricted key systems cost more to rekey? They can. Some systems need authorisation and keys ordered through the system holder, which adds time and cost. We tell you before starting if your locks fall into this category.

Can I rekey just one lock? Yes. Many people rekey only the front door after losing a single key. Rekeying the other external locks at the same time, however, is often the better value and removes any doubt.

Do security screen doors count? If they take a key, yes. Screen door locks can often be rekeyed to match the main door.

Getting a rekeying quote

The fastest way to an accurate rekeying price is to tell us:

• how many locks you want rekeyed, and what type they are;
• whether you want them all on one key;
• how many keys you need;
• your suburb and preferred timing.

Call Locksmith Hornsby Service on 02 4404 0445, 7 days, 7:00am to 12:00am, or send a quote request through our contact page. We are based at 14 Hunter St, Hornsby NSW 2077, and we work across Hornsby, Waitara, Wahroonga, Asquith, Normanhurst and Berowra. We will tell you the price before we start, and if a lock cannot be rekeyed sensibly, we will explain why and give you the replacement option alongside it.