The short answer most people get to this question is "every three to five years." That's not wrong, but it's not actually how a locksmith thinks about it. The real answer depends less on the calendar and more on what's changed in your life or in your house. This article walks through the situations where rekeying makes sense, the ones where it doesn't, and how to think about the trade-off between rekeying and replacing.
Rekey vs. replace: what's the difference?
Rekeying changes the inside of the lock so that old keys no longer work. The lock body, the door hardware, and the finish all stay the same. A locksmith opens the cylinder, swaps the pins to a new pattern, and cuts a new key to match. The cost is significantly lower than replacing the lock, and the work is usually done in 15 minutes per lock.
Replacing the lock means swapping out the entire hardware unit. You get new hardware, possibly an upgraded security grade, and obviously a new key. Replacement is the right call when the existing hardware is worn, when you're upgrading security, when the lock is damaged, or when the lock is too old to be rekeyed reliably.
When you should rekey immediately
These are the situations where you should not wait for an arbitrary "three years" milestone:
- You just moved into a new home. The previous owners, the real estate agents, the inspectors, the painters, the home stager, and possibly the housekeeper from the prior household all had access to keys. Rekeying on move-in day is the single highest-leverage security action you can take.
- You lost a key or had one stolen. If you can't account for every copy of every key, the safe assumption is that someone you don't know has access. Rekey within 24 hours.
- A roommate, partner, or contractor moved out under any difficult circumstances. Even if you trust them not to use the old key, locks are about peace of mind as much as physical security.
- You had a break-in or attempted break-in. Even if the lock wasn't picked, the situation has changed.
- You gave a key to a service provider and the relationship ended. Dog walker, cleaner, contractor, anyone. Easy to forget, easy to fix.
When you should rekey on a schedule
Outside of triggered events, the maintenance schedule looks something like this:
- Owner-occupied homes: Every 3 to 5 years as a hygiene practice.
- Rental properties: Between every tenant. Always. Without exception.
- Vacation homes: At least annually, and immediately after any short-term rental period (Airbnb, VRBO, etc.).
- Commercial offices: After any employee with key access leaves, and on a planned semi-annual or annual schedule for high-turnover spaces.
When you should replace instead of rekey
Rekeying assumes the lock is in good working condition. If any of these are true, replacement is the better call:
- The lock sticks, drags, or fails to turn smoothly even with the right key.
- The deadbolt does not extend fully or retract cleanly.
- The lock is more than 15 years old and has not been serviced.
- The lock is corroded from coastal exposure — common in South Florida east of US-1.
- You're upgrading from a residential-grade lock to a commercial-grade lock for higher security.
- You're switching to a smart lock.
How much does it cost?
In South Florida, a standard residential rekey runs about $15 to $40 per lock cylinder, plus the locksmith's service call fee (usually $40 to $75). A whole-home rekey of four to six locks generally lands between $80 and $200. Replacing a lock entirely runs $80 to $300 per lock depending on grade and finish. A smart lock replacement runs $150 to $500 per lock for the hardware plus installation.
What to ask before you book
When you call a locksmith for a rekey, give them the basics: how many locks, what kind (knob, deadbolt, mortise, smart), the city you're in, and any timing constraint. A real locksmith will quote a fair range over the phone. Refusing to quote is a red flag.
The bottom line
Don't rekey based on a timer. Rekey based on what's changed. If you can't remember the last time you rekeyed and nothing has changed in your household for a decade, you're probably fine to wait. But if anything significant has changed — a move, a lost key, a departed roommate, a contractor with access — the right time to rekey is now. The work takes 15 minutes per lock and costs less than dinner out. The peace of mind lasts years.
Need a locksmith now? Call (754) 295-0228 any time, day or night. We dispatch from Hallandale Beach and serve Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties — 24/7.
Related reading: All FAQ & articles · Residential services · Commercial services · Car locksmith services