Lock Rekeying
Change Your Key Without Replacing Your Locks
Rekeying is one of the most practical security services a locksmith offers, and one of the most underused. It makes your existing key useless and gives you a new one, without touching the lock hardware at all. The lock stays on the door. The deadbolt stays in place. Only the internal pins change, and that’s enough to lock out anyone who had a copy of the old key.
FXBG Keys LLC rekeys residential and commercial locks across Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Stafford, Culpeper, and Thornburg, Virginia. We’re a mobile service, so we come to your home or business.
How Does a Locksmith Rekey a Lock?
In this photo, the locksmith has removed the old pins, inserted a new key into the lock cylinder, and is now inserting new pins that match the key’s cut pattern. The different colors of the pins indicate specific lengths.
Every lock contains an internal cylinder with a set of small pins or wafers that are arranged to match the cuts in a key. The cut pattern on your key matches the height of those pins exactly, which is what allows the cylinder to rotate and the lock to open. When we rekey a lock, we remove the cylinder, replace the old pins with a new set that matches the cuts in a new key, and reinstall it. The lock body and all the surrounding hardware stay exactly as they were.
One important requirement: we need the current working key to start the rekeying process. Without it, the cylinder must be opened before repinning can begin, which takes more time and may increase the cost. If you’ve lost all copies of your key, let us know when you call, and we’ll walk you through what’s involved. Rekeying doesn’t change the security grade of the lock. It simply changes which key operates it.
When Rekeying Is the Right Call
Rekeying makes sense whenever the lock hardware itself is in good shape, but you need to change who has access. The most common situations we handle include:
- Moving into a new home or rental property where you don’t know how many keys are out there
- A lost or stolen key where you can’t account for where it ended up
- A roommate, tenant, or employee moving out who still has a working key
- A contractor, pet sitter, or service provider who had temporary access and no longer needs it
- A security concern after a break-in attempt where access control needs to be reset
In all of these cases, the lock itself isn’t the problem. The key distribution is. Rekeying resolves that without the cost or disruption of replacing the hardware entirely.
Keying Multiple Locks Alike
We can rekey multiple commercial-grade deadbolt locks to work with the same key.
One of the most useful things rekeying can accomplish is consolidating multiple locks onto a single key. If your front door, back door, and deadbolt all currently require different keys, we can rekey them to work together, provided they share the same brand and keyway. For most standard residential setups, this is straightforward and something we handle in a single visit.
When Replacement Makes More Sense
Rekeying works best when the existing hardware is in solid condition. If the lock is worn, stiff, or has been damaged in a break-in attempt, rekeying the cylinder doesn’t fix the underlying problem. A lock that’s difficult to operate before rekeying will be difficult to operate after. In those cases, lock replacement is the more practical path and gives you the opportunity to upgrade the hardware at the same time.
Brand compatibility is another consideration. If your front door has a Schlage deadbolt and your back door has a Kwikset knob, those two locks have different keyways and can’t be brought onto the same key through rekeying alone. You have two options:
- Rekey each lock independently to its own new key, which eliminates old key access without changing hardware
- Replace one lock with hardware that shares the other’s keyway, then rekey both to match
Locks Changed and Access Restored With FXBG Keys
Whether you need one lock rekeyed or every lock in a building, we come prepared to handle it in one trip. FXBG Keys LLC is fully licensed and insured, serving homeowners and businesses throughout Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Stafford, Culpeper, and Thornburg. Have the number of locks and your current working key ready when you call. Contact FXBG Keys LLC, and we’ll confirm what’s involved before heading out.
Lock Rekeying FAQs
What is lock rekeying?
Lock rekeying is a service that changes the inside of a lock cylinder so the old key no longer works. Instead of replacing locks and all the existing hardware, a professional locksmith adjusts the pins inside the cylinder plug and creates a new key that fits the current locks. Rekeying works well for many homeowners who want better security without paying for full lock replacement.
When should I rekey locks instead of replacing locks?
Rekeying locks is often the better choice when the door locks are still in good shape and you only need to stop an old key from working. This is common after moving into a new house, dealing with lost or stolen keys, after break-ins, or when a roommate moves out, a tenant changes, or pet sitters no longer need access. If the lock, deadbolt lock, or other hardware is damaged, worn out, or no longer secure, lock replacement may be the better choice.
Can you make all my locks work with the same key?
Yes, in many cases we can rekey locks so multiple door locks work with the same key. If the locks in your home use compatible lock types or can be adjusted to match, we can often set up the front door, back door, and other house locks for one key today. This makes access easier for homeowners and can be a smart upgrade for residential settings and some commercial use cases.
Do I need a new lock for rekeying?
No, not usually. A rekey service typically uses your existing hardware as long as the lock cylinder and other components are in good shape. Instead of installing a new lock, we change the internal pins and provide a new key, which is often more affordable than replacing locks throughout the house or property.
Can you rekey smart locks and deadbolts?
Some smart locks can be rekeyed, and many deadbolts can as well, depending on the brand, lock cylinder design, and existing hardware. Different brands use different cylinder setups, so the rekey process depends on the lock type and whether the cylinder plug can be serviced. We can inspect your door hardware and let you know whether rekeying, repair, or replacement is the better choice.
Should I rekey my locks after moving into a new home?
Yes, this is one of the most common reasons to schedule lock rekeying. When you move into a new home, you do not always know who may still have an existing key, such as former owners, contractors, cleaners, pet sitters, or other people with past access. Rekeying the locks in your home is a simple way to secure the house and help keep your family safe without replacing every lock.
Can a property manager rekey locks between tenants?
Yes. Lock rekeying is a practical service for a property manager handling tenant turnover in residential settings or some commercial use properties. Rekeying door locks between tenants helps control access, removes old key access, and can be more cost-effective than installing a new lock every time occupancy changes.
How many locks can be rekeyed at one time?
That depends on the property, the lock types, and whether the locks use compatible cylinders. We can often rekey several house locks, deadbolts, and door locks during the same visit, and we will explain how many locks can be matched to the same key before the job starts. If some locks use different brands or different hardware, we will let you know what options make the most sense.
Can I rekey locks myself with a rekey kit?
Some handy homeowners try DIY rekeying with a rekey kit or tools from a hardware store, but the process can be harder than it looks. Rekeying involves the right tools, careful handling of pins, old pins, new pins, the cylinder plug, and small parts such as a c clip, and mistakes can leave the lock unusable. A professional locksmith can complete the rekey process correctly, cut the new key, and make sure the lock works smoothly before the service is finished.