When you take possession of a home, you have no idea how many keys exist. The previous owners, their family, a cleaner, a contractor, a former tenant, the agent. Rekeying resolves all of it for a fraction of what new locks cost.
Rekey on possession, always
This is the one piece of advice we give unprompted. Whatever assurances came with the sale, keys accumulate over years and nobody tracks them. The cost of rekeying is small and the certainty is complete.
It matters more on newer builds than people expect. Builders routinely key an entire phase to a small number of profiles so trades can move between houses, and that construction keying is frequently still in place at closing. In fast-built areas like Milton, Mount Pleasant and Vellore Village this is common.
Getting to one key
Most homes accumulate different keys for the front door, the back door, the side door, the garage and the shed. There is no reason for that.
Where the locks share a keyway, keying them alike is straightforward and inexpensive. Where they do not, swapping cylinders to a common keyway achieves the same result without replacing the locksets.
When replacement is better
- The lock is worn enough that the key drags or has to be jiggled
- It is a builder-grade lockset on an exterior door, where the grade is genuinely inadequate
- The finish is damaged or the lockset is loose in the door
- You want smart lock functionality, which rekeying obviously cannot provide
- You are rekeying because keys were copied without your knowledge, in which case the open keyway is the actual problem and a restricted cylinder is the fix
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I rekey or replace locks when I buy a house?
Rekey, unless the hardware itself is worn out or inadequate. Rekeying gives you exactly the same security outcome — every old key stops working — at a fraction of the cost of new locksets. Put the savings into a reinforced strike plate on the doors that matter, which does more for your actual security than a new lock body would.
How much does it cost to rekey a house?
It depends on how many locks there are and what type they are. Tell us how many doors, and whether you want them all on one key, and we give you a price estimate on the phone.
How long does rekeying take?
It depends on how many locks there are. Tell us how many doors, and we tell you on the phone how long to plan for. We test every door with the new key before we leave.
Can all my house locks use the same key?
Yes in almost every case. If the locks share a keyway it is straightforward. If they are different brands, cylinders can usually be swapped to a common keyway at modest cost, which is still far cheaper than replacing the locksets. Front, back, side, garage and shed on one key is a normal request.
Home Rekeying across the GTA
We provide home rekeying & lock changes throughout the Greater Toronto Area. Pick your city for local detail, or call and we will tell you straight away whether you are in range.
Related services
House Lockout
Locked out of your home? We open the door, without drilling wherever the lock allows.
Smart Locks
Smart deadbolts and locksets supplied and fitted properly — with honest advice on which ones are worth having.
Deadbolts
Deadbolts fitted correctly, with the strike reinforcement that actually determines whether the door holds.
Lock Rekeying
Existing cylinders re-pinned to a new key — the fast, inexpensive answer to staff turnover, lost keys and taking over premises.