Bethlehem Emergency LocksmithMobile locksmith, Bethlehem, PA
Lock rekeying in Bethlehem, PA
A rekey resets each lock to a new key, so every old copy stops working and the hardware you already have stays on the door. We do it at the house, the rental or the shop, usually in one visit.
What a rekey actually does
Inside the lock cylinder is a row of small pins sized to one key. We pull the cylinder, fit a new set of pins for a different key and put it back. From the outside nothing changes. From the inside, the key you had yesterday is just a piece of brass.
It is the right call when the lock is in good shape and the problem is who has a key: the previous owner, a tenant who moved out, a contractor, an ex, or a copy you lent out and never got back. We can also key several locks alike, so the front, back and garage doors all open with one key.
When a rekey makes sense
If any of these sound familiar, a rekey is usually faster and cheaper than new locks, and it leaves your hardware exactly where it is.
- You just closed on a house
- A tenant or roommate moved out
- A key was lost or never returned
- An employee with a key has left
- A contractor or cleaner had a key for a while
- You want one key for every door
- A break-up or a divorce
- The lock is fine, but you have no idea how many copies exist
Count the keyed locks before you call and we will go through our pricing structure for the visit on the phone.
How the visit goes
You call and count the doors
Tell us how many locks take a key and whether you want them keyed alike. We give you the pricing structure and an estimated time of arrival.
We rekey on site
Each cylinder comes out, gets new pins and goes back in. We check that the door still latches and the deadbolt throws fully, because a rekey is a good time to catch a lock that is wearing out.
You get new keys
We cut as many copies as you want while we are there and test every one in every door before we leave.
Rekey or replace?
A rekey keeps your lock. A replacement swaps it for new hardware. If the lock is loose, sticks, or is a builder-grade knob that has seen better days, replacing it can be the better buy, and we carry deadbolts and handle sets on the van. If the lock works fine and the only problem is the keys, rekey it.
There is one catch to know about. Smart locks and some older locks cannot be rekeyed in the usual way. Tell us the brand if you know it, and we will tell you which route makes sense before we come out.
Pricing is explained before the work: the visit, the number of cylinders, and any new keys. The price is the same during all of our hours, and there is no extra fee if you need it done today.
Rekey questions
Can you make all my doors open with one key?
Usually, yes. Locks from the same manufacturer and keyway can be keyed alike. If your front door is one brand and the back door another, we will tell you which ones can share a key and which cannot.
Do I need to be home?
Someone needs to let us in and, for a rental or a business, confirm they have authority over the property. We confirm lawful possession of the property as part of the job.
How many keys do I get?
As many as you ask for. Tell us the count when you call so we have the right blanks on the van.
Can you rekey a smart lock?
Some, depending on the model. Many keypad locks still have a keyed cylinder that we can rekey; others need to be reset or replaced. Give us the brand and we will say which.
Related services
Ready to retire the old keys?
Count the doors, call, and we will plan it as one visit.