How Long Does It Take to Rekey a Lock?

When a locksmith rekeys a lock, they open the lock cylinder and replace the tiny spring-loaded pins inside with pins of a different size. The result is that the old key no longer works and a new key — cut to match the new pin configuration — becomes the only one that operates that lock. The hardware itself stays exactly where it is; only the internal combination changes. This is fundamentally different from how to change a lock, which involves removing and replacing the entire lockset, hardware and all. Rekeying is the right call when your existing locks are in good condition, you simply do not want previous keyholders to have access, and you want to minimize downtime and disruption. It is also the standard move when a landlord turns over a unit, when a homeowner finishes a renovation and wants the contractor's key to stop working, or after a breakup or roommate change.

One thing worth knowing: rekeying only works if you already have a working key or the lock is unlocked and accessible. If you are locked out, the technician has to get the door open first — using legitimate, professional methods after verifying ownership — before the rekey can happen. That adds a step and a bit of time, but it is still usually a same-visit job. A mortise lock, which is the elegant rectangular lock body recessed into the edge of older Rochester doors and common in the city's Victorian and Four Square homes, requires a slightly different disassembly process than a standard door knob lock, so if your home has them, mention it when you call so the tech arrives prepared.

For a single standard door knob lock or deadbolt on a modern residential door, an experienced locksmith typically completes the rekey in about 10 to 20 minutes per lock once they are on-site and have the door accessible. A typical home with a front door knob lock, a deadbolt, and a back door deadbolt — three locks total — usually runs 30 to 45 minutes from the moment the tech starts working. If all three locks are already keyed alike to one key, the job moves even faster. If each lock is a different brand or cut to a different key, it takes a bit longer because the technician needs to repin each cylinder to a common new key from scratch.

Mortise locks, found on many of the older properties near Park Avenue or in the 19th Ward, take a few extra minutes per lock because the cylinder must be carefully extracted from the lock body before repinning and reinstalled correctly afterward. A single mortise lock rekey typically runs 20 to 30 minutes. Multi-family buildings or rental properties with several units can take one to three hours depending on the number of doors, whether a master-key system is involved, and how accessible each unit is. The on-site clock does not start until the technician arrives, so factor in travel time as well — for Rochester neighborhoods spread across the metro, that is usually 20 to 40 minutes from dispatch depending on your location and time of day.

A few real-world factors can stretch the timeline, and knowing them in advance helps you plan. First, lock condition matters. A door knob lock or deadbolt that has not been serviced in years may have worn or corroded pins that resist removal, or the cylinder itself may be sticky from Rochester winters and road salt that migrated inside. A quick cleaning and lubrication is sometimes needed before repinning, adding 5 to 10 minutes. Second, matching brands matters. Rekeying works most smoothly when all locks on a door are the same brand — Schlage pins are not interchangeable with Kwikset pins, for example. If you have mixed hardware, the tech carries a variety of rekey kits, but a complex mix-and-match situation may add time or prompt a recommendation to standardize. Third, master-key systems add complexity. Commercial properties, apartment buildings, and office suites often run on a master-key hierarchy where a single key opens all doors and individual keys open only specific ones. Building or modifying that system requires careful pin-stack calculations and takes noticeably longer than a simple one-key-one-lock residential rekey.

A fourth factor is lockout situations. If you do not have the original working key — common after buying a home or taking over a rental unit — the technician first needs to pick or impression the lock open before rekeying. This is a legitimate, professional process done only after ownership or authorization is confirmed, and it adds 10 to 20 minutes depending on the lock type. Finally, the number of doors counts. Each additional lock is additive time, so be ready to walk the technician through every door you want rekeyed, including garage entry doors, side doors, and any secondary deadbolts. Having that mental list ready before the tech arrives keeps the visit efficient. If you want to get moving today, call (704) 850-6756 — our team is available 24 hours a day and can give you a specific arrival window.

The question of how to rekey a door lock versus how to change a lock entirely comes down to three things: lock condition, security goals, and hardware compatibility. If your existing locks are in good working order, not damaged, and a consistent brand, rekeying is almost always the faster and more practical path — you keep your hardware, the job takes less time, and the security goal (eliminating old key access) is fully accomplished. If, on the other hand, your locks are outdated, showing wear, or you want to upgrade to higher-grade hardware with a longer warranty or better pick resistance, a full replacement makes sense. A full lock change on a single door typically takes 20 to 45 minutes depending on the lock grade and door prep required, so it is still a same-visit job in most cases.

There is a middle option worth knowing about: if you are managing multiple doors across a property and want them all to open with a single key, a locksmith can rekey your existing locks to a common key even if they are currently all different — no new hardware required. This is a popular service for Rochester landlords who want one master key for a duplex or small apartment building. For properties with a mix of door knob locks and mortise locks, the tech will handle each type appropriately and can still bring them to a common key, though it requires more time and careful pin selection. An experienced commercial locksmith visit is the right call for any multi-unit or master-key project. Our team handles everything from single-family homes near Corn Hill to apartment complexes near the University of Rochester campus.

To make the technician's time — and yours — as efficient as possible, a little preparation goes a long way. Before the locksmith arrives, count every exterior door and any interior doors you want rekeyed, and note the brand name on each lock if you can see it. Gather any existing working keys so the tech can assess the current cuts. If you are a landlord scheduling between tenants, try to book the rekey after the outgoing tenant has returned all keys but before the new tenant moves belongings in, so every door is accessible. For new homebuyers, the best time to rekey is before your first overnight in the home — ideally the same day you receive the keys from the closing.

What did locksmiths usually do before modern rekeying kits? They often had to replace entire locksets whenever a key change was needed, which was time-consuming and expensive. Today's rekey tools allow a skilled technician to disassemble, repin, and reassemble a cylinder in minutes, making it a far more practical routine security measure. If you are asking how do you rekey a lock yourself, there are consumer rekey kits sold for specific brands, but they require the correct kit for your exact lock model, patience with small parts, and a working key to start — any mismatch means starting over or calling a professional anyway. For most homeowners, a trained locksmith does the job correctly in one visit, with a new key tested in every lock before leaving. To schedule your visit or ask about timing for your specific locks, call (704) 850-6756 — we are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, across the Rochester area.

Reliable Rochester Locksmith is a mobile, 24/7 operation serving homeowners, renters, landlords, and businesses throughout Rochester and the surrounding communities. Our services include: residential lock rekeying, mortise lock service and repair, door knob lock replacement, deadbolt installation, smart lock installation and programming, master-key system design and implementation, lockout response for homes, lock change and full lockset replacement, high-security lock upgrades, sliding door lock repair, window lock installation, mailbox lock replacement, garage door lock service, safe opening and safe lock repair, combination changes for safas, commercial lock rekeying, office lockout response, commercial mortise lock installation, access control system support, emergency locksmith response after break-ins, door frame and strike plate reinforcement, key duplication, key cutting for restricted keyways, transponder key programming, key fob programming and replacement, car lockout service, ignition lock service, and new tenant lock preparation for rental properties. Whether you are in zip codes 14620 near Highland Park, 14609 on the east side, or anywhere across Monroe County, our mobile technicians come to you.

We do not publish flat rates here because the honest answer is that several variables shape the final number: the type and brand of locks being rekeyed (a standard door knob lock differs from a mortise lock in parts and labor time), the number of locks included, whether a lockout service is needed first, the time of day (emergency locksmith calls outside business hours involve after-hours service), and travel distance to your location. Before any work begins, we confirm an exact price with you so there are no surprises at the end of the visit. If the scope changes — say you decide to add a back door while the tech is on-site — we discuss the updated price before proceeding. Our goal is that you feel informed and in control from the first call to the final key test.