Cost to rekey locks

We all want to feel secure in our homes, and door locks provide one of the main security features for a property. Keeping your locks in good working order is therefore important, but that doesn’t mean you have to constantly replace the whole lock system.

In the guide, we look at the average cost to rekey locks in the UK. By rekeying your locks instead of replacing them you can save money and give new life to your existing door lock systems.

Rekeying locks is increasingly popular with landlords, who don’t want to change the locks every time they have a new tenant but still want to ensure their property is secure.

What is rekeying?

Rekeying a lock simply means changing the inner tumblers of the lock cylinder, so that old keys will no longer work. Think of it as the lock being re-coded to be able to accept a new set of keys instead.

It’s a fairly straightforward process for a locksmith to perform, and the cost to rekey locks is less than replacing the whole locks themselves. Once a lock has been rekeyed successfully, it will work with the new set of keys and you can throw away the old set, as they’ll then be useless.

How much does it cost to rekey locks?

The average cost to rekey locks on a house will depend on exactly which locks you need rekeying. An internal house door is the cheapest, with the cost to rekey being about £45 per lock. If you need to rekey a garage door, uPVC window lock or a door handle then the average cost is around £55 per lock.

The cost to rekey a front or back door lock, uPVC door lock or a patio door lock is in the region of £65 per lock. Though these prices will also depend on a number of factors.

Factors affecting the cost of rekeying a lock

• Type of door / lock
• Access to the lock
• Any prep work needed
• Where you live
• Any emergency or out of hours work (locksmiths will charge a pretty hefty fee for emergency or out of hours work)

If you need to replace or need other help with your locks, check out our guide to locksmith prices.

Benefits of rekeying locks

Here are some of the reasons why rekeying locks is becoming more popular.

• It’s quicker to rekey a lock than replace it altogether.
• You can adjust multiple locks to use the same key.
• It’s cheaper to rekey a lock than replace the whole lock system.
• There’s no risk of damaging the door or window to remove a lock system.

Why do I need to rekey my locks?

It’s not only old locks that might call for you to have them rekeyed. There are a number of reasons that you could be calling the locksmith to rekey locks in your home.

You’ve bought a new property and want to ensure your home is secure without replacing all the locks.

You’re a landlord and want to give your new tenants peace of mind that they have a secure lock on their door that no one else has the key to.

You want to save money by rekeying the lock instead of replacing the whole lock system.

You’ve lost your keys and don’t have any spares. Or you’re worried that a stranger has your keys. It’s worth pointing out here that some locksmith will charge an additional fee if you don’t have the original keys for your lock.

You want all your doors to use the same key, which can be done by rekeying the locks.

A lodger or housemate just moved out and you want to make sure your locks are completely secure. Equally, if you’ve gone through a separation it’s often sensible to have your locks rekeyed.

Useful rekey lock checklist

• Check the condition of your lock(s) to see if the whole lock system(s) would need changing.
• Count how many locks you need rekeying.
• Speak to a local locksmith for their professional advice and accurate quotes.
• Shop around for fair and competitive costs to rekey locks.
• Always hire a tradesperson with relevant experience and with appropriate accreditations, such as the MLA (Master Locksmith Association).