Rekey & Lock Installation in Palm Beach & Broward County
Keep the hardware you have and make every old key useless, or upgrade to new locks. LockFox Locksmith rekeys, keys locks alike and installs residential and commercial hardware at your door, anywhere in Palm Beach and Broward County.
Rekey or replace? The short answer
Rekeying changes which key works. Replacing changes the lock itself. If the lock is in good shape, rekeying is usually the less expensive option.
- You just bought or moved into a home and don't know who has keys
- A tenant, roommate, contractor or employee moved on
- A key was lost or stolen
- Your locks work well and you like how they look
- You want one key for several doors and the locks share a keyway
- The lock is worn, loose, sticking or corroded
- It was damaged in a break-in or forced entry
- You want more security: a higher grade or a high-security cylinder
- You want a different kind of lock, such as a keypad, smart lock or lever handle
- The door has no deadbolt, or mixed brands can't be converted to one key
How rekeying works
Most door locks in American homes and offices are pin-tumbler locks. Inside the cylinder is a plug that turns, with a row of spring-loaded pin stacks. Each stack has a bottom "key pin" and a top "driver pin," and the key pins come in lengths that match the cuts on your key.
The right key lifts every stack so the gap between key pin and driver pin lines up exactly with the edge of the plug, called the shear line, and the plug turns. A wrong key leaves at least one pin across that line.
To rekey, a locksmith removes the cylinder, takes out the plug and replaces the key pins with a new set that matches a newly cut key. The lock stays on the door. The old keys no longer line up, so they won't work.
Locks that rekey differently
Some consumer locks, such as Kwikset SmartKey, use a sidebar mechanism designed to be rekeyed with a working key and a special tool instead of loose pins. Wafer locks on many mailboxes and cabinets are often simpler to replace than to rekey.
High-security locks with restricted or patented keyways can be rekeyed too, but new key blanks may only be available through an authorized dealer.
When to rekey
- After closing on a home. Sellers, agents, cleaners and contractors all had access.
- Between tenants. The standard move for landlords and property managers. Florida's Miya's Law (2022) also requires apartment operators to log every key issued and returned.
- After a lost or stolen key, especially if your address was on the key ring or in the same bag.
- When someone's access should end: a former roommate, caregiver or employee.
- Seasonal homes, when the people watching the house while you're away change.
One key for every door
"Keying alike" means rekeying several locks so one key opens all of them. It works when the cylinders share the same keyway. Schlage and Kwikset, the two brands found in many homes, use different keyways, so a house with both may need a cylinder or hardware swap on some doors first.
Businesses and multi-unit buildings often need more than one key level, where each person's key opens only their own doors and a manager's key opens all of them. That's a master key system.
Lock installation and replacement
When a rekey isn't enough, we replace or install new hardware and key it the way you want. We work on:
Deadbolts
New deadbolts on knob-only doors and replacement of worn ones. Double-cylinder deadbolts need a key on both sides, which can slow an emergency exit, so check local code before choosing one.
Knobs, levers & handlesets
Entry, privacy and passage sets. Levers are easier for anyone with limited grip strength.
Smart locks & keypads
Keypad and app-controlled deadbolts, fitted and aligned so the motor isn't fighting a sticky bolt. See our residential locksmith page for more.
High-security cylinders
Pick- and drill-resistant cylinders with restricted keys, for front doors, garages and business entrances.
Commercial hardware
Heavy-duty levers, mortise locks and storefront cylinders. Exit hardware has its own page: panic bars & exit devices. Also see commercial locksmith services.
Strikes & reinforcement
A reinforced strike plate with long screws into the wall framing makes a door much harder to kick in.
ANSI/BHMA lock grades, explained
The Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association (BHMA) writes the American National Standards for door hardware. Locks are put through tests for operating cycles, strength and security, such as blows to the cylinder, and rated by how they perform:
- Grade 1 is the highest performance level. It's meant for heavy-use commercial and institutional doors, and it's also a good choice for a home's main entry.
- Grade 2 is the middle level, common on better residential hardware and light commercial doors.
- Grade 3 is the entry level for basic residential use.
A grade tells you how the hardware held up in lab testing. It doesn't make up for a weak door, a loose frame or short strike screws, and installation matters as much as the grade on the box. BHMA publishes a directory of certified products if you want to check a specific model.
What to prepare
- Photo ID with the address, or proof you own or manage the property. Renters need the landlord's OK.
- A working key if you have one. Without it, the lock may need to be opened first.
- A list of the doors, and which ones should share a key
- Photos of each lock, including any brand name on the face or latch
- How many copies of the new key you want
- Any association rules on exterior hardware
What affects the price
- Number of cylinders to rekey. Each deadbolt and knob is its own cylinder.
- Rekeying versus new hardware, and the grade and brand you choose
- Keying alike across mixed brands, which may require new cylinders
- Door work such as new holes, strike or frame reinforcement, or realignment
- High-security or restricted key systems
- Number of keys cut
Send photos by text to (754) 328-1958 for a quote.
Rekeying and lock changes across Palm Beach & Broward County
We come to homes, rentals and businesses throughout Palm Beach County and Broward County.
Rekey & lock installation FAQs
What's the difference between rekeying and changing a lock?
Rekeying replaces the small pins inside the cylinder so a new key works and old keys don't. The lock stays on the door. Changing a lock means removing the hardware and installing a new lock.
Is rekeying cheaper than replacing locks?
Usually, because you keep your existing hardware and pay mainly for labor and pins. Replacement is the right call for worn or damaged locks or when you want an upgrade.
Can all my locks be keyed to one key?
Yes, if they share the same keyway. Mixed brands, such as Schlage and Kwikset, use different keyways and may need new cylinders or hardware on some doors to run on one key.
Should I rekey after buying a house?
Yes. You have no way of knowing how many copies of the old keys exist. Rekeying every exterior lock, including the garage entry door, is a simple way to start fresh.
Can every lock be rekeyed?
Most pin-tumbler door locks can. Very worn, corroded or damaged locks are better replaced, and some high-security locks need blanks from an authorized dealer. We'll tell you which applies after seeing photos or the lock.
What lock grade should I choose for my front door?
ANSI/BHMA Grade 1 or Grade 2 is a sound choice for a main entry; Grade 3 covers basic residential use. A reinforced strike matters as much as the grade.
Do I need permission to rekey or change locks?
Homeowners don't. Renters should get the landlord's consent, since many leases require it and a copy of the new key. Some condo and HOA associations regulate exterior hardware appearance, but the lock's internals are up to you.
Ready to rekey or upgrade your locks?
Call or text LockFox Locksmith with photos of your locks and how many doors you have.
Rekey & Lock Installation near you
City-specific pages with local details: