It's one of the most common questions we get from Johnson County homeowners: "Should I rekey my locks or just replace them?" The short answer is that rekeying is the right call in most situations — it's faster, significantly cheaper, and provides the same security outcome for the most common scenarios. But there are real situations where replacement is the better choice, and knowing the difference can save you money and frustration.
What Is Rekeying?
Rekeying is the process of changing the internal pin configuration of an existing lock cylinder so that the old key no longer works and a new key is required. A locksmith removes the cylinder from the lock, disassembles the pin tumbler mechanism, replaces the key pins with a new combination, and reassembles the cylinder. The result is a lock that is mechanically identical to what you had before — same hardware, same security grade, same function — but now operates on a new key.
The entire process typically takes 10–15 minutes per lock. No new hardware is purchased. The only cost is labor and, in some cases, a small parts fee for the new pins. For a typical Johnson County home with three exterior locks, the whole process takes under an hour depending on the lock brand and cylinder type.
What Is Lock Replacement?
Lock replacement means removing the existing lock hardware and installing entirely new hardware: new knob or lever, new deadbolt, new strike plate, new keys. Hardware costs vary significantly by grade and type — from a basic residential deadbolt to a high-security or smart lock. Call for a quote based on your specific hardware selection.
Lock replacement is more expensive and takes longer. It is the right choice when the existing hardware is the problem — not just the key.
When Rekeying Is the Right Call
You just moved into a new home
This is the most important rekeying scenario. When you buy a home in Johnson County, you have no idea how many copies of the previous owner's key are in circulation. The real estate agent has a key. The previous owners have keys. The family members they gave keys to have keys. The contractors they hired over ten years of ownership potentially have keys. Rekeying all exterior locks on move-in day ensures that none of those keys work anymore. It is the single most cost-effective security improvement a new homeowner can make.
An employee or tenant has a key and left under difficult circumstances
For rental property owners: every time a tenant moves out, rekey the unit. Do not rely on getting the key back — copies may have been made. The cost of rekeying is negligible compared to the liability of an unauthorized entry by a previous tenant.
A key was lost or stolen
If you've lost a house key or had one stolen, and the key is identifiable as belonging to a specific address, rekeying is the appropriate response. Changing the pin configuration means the lost key is permanently dead, regardless of who finds it.
You want all your locks to use the same key
Many homes have accumulated multiple locks over the years that use different keys — a Kwikset front door, a Schlage back door, a deadbolt added during a renovation. We can rekey all of them to operate on a single key ("keying alike") during the same service call, typically for no extra charge beyond the per-lock labor.
When Lock Replacement Makes More Sense
The existing hardware is low-grade, damaged, or worn
Rekeying a worn-out lock doesn't fix the lock — it just changes the key. If your deadbolt is difficult to operate, stiff, wobbling, or more than 15–20 years old on a frequently-used door, replacement is worth the investment. A new Grade 1 deadbolt will perform reliably for another 15–20 years.
You want to upgrade your security level
If you're currently running basic builder-grade hardware — the kind typically installed by developers during construction — rekeying preserves the existing security level. If you want to move to a Grade 1 deadbolt, a high-security cylinder, or a smart lock, that requires replacement. The new hardware comes with new keys, so there's no separate rekeying step.
The lock is incompatible with smart lock conversion
Some older deadbolt designs are not compatible with retrofit smart lock adapters (like the August or Schlage Encode style). If your goal is smart lock functionality and your existing hardware won't support it, replacement is the path.
You've had a break-in
If your property has been burglarized and the point of entry was a door, the hardware at that entry point should be inspected and likely replaced. Break-in attempts frequently leave damage in the door frame, strike plate, and lock body that isn't always visible but compromises the hardware's future performance. We inspect the full door assembly after a break-in and recommend the minimum replacement necessary to restore security.
Cost Comparison for a Johnson County Home
For a typical home with front door, back door, and garage entry door — three locks total:
- Rekeying all three: Most cost-effective option — done in under an hour
- Replacing all three with new Grade 1 deadbolts: Best for worn or outdated hardware
- Replacing all three with smart locks: Premium option with keyless entry and app control
If your hardware is in good condition and your goal is simply to ensure old keys don't work, rekeying is the clear choice. If your hardware is worn or you want to upgrade, replacement delivers lasting value.
Getting Service in Johnson County
Johnson County Lock & Key provides rekeying and lock replacement for homeowners and renters throughout Olathe, Overland Park, Lenexa, Shawnee, Leawood, Gardner, and the surrounding area. Call (913) 285-8181 for same-day service — we quote the full price before we start and complete most rekeying jobs in under an hour.