Published 2026-05-30 · Atlanta Pro Locksmith
How Lock Rekeying Works (and When It Beats Replacing)
Quick answer: Lock rekeying replaces the internal pins inside your existing cylinder so old keys no longer work, while a new key opens the lock. In Atlanta, rekeying a full home (4–6 cylinders) runs $150–$300, versus $400–$800+ to replace all hardware, making it the smarter choice when locks are working but you need to invalidate old keys after moving, a tenant turnover, or lost keys.
What Happens During a Rekey
A locksmith disassembles the cylinder, removes the existing pin stack, and installs new pins cut to match a different key profile. The process leaves the lock body, strike plate, and finish untouched. In Buckhead condos and Sandy Springs single-families, techs rekey a standard Kwikset or Schlage deadbolt in 10–15 minutes per lock.
Each cylinder contains five or six spring-loaded pins; the locksmith swaps them out so the old key's cuts no longer align with the shear line. You receive fresh keys on the spot, and every rekeyed lock can share a single key if you prefer. Atlanta locksmiths charge per cylinder, usually $20–$40 each, plus a service call, so rekeying six locks lands around $150–$300 total, far below the $100–$250 per-lock cost to buy and install new deadbolts.
When Rekeying Makes More Sense Than Replacing
Rekey if your hardware is less than ten years old, operates smoothly, and shows no rust or bent components. Common triggers in Atlanta include moving into a resale home (you don't know who kept spare keys), losing a key, ending a lease, or firing a contractor who had access. Marietta landlords rekey between tenants rather than replacing Grade-2 deadbolts every turnover.
Replace locks when the cylinder binds, the bolt sticks in humid Georgia summers, or the finish has corroded from weather exposure. Homes near Decatur with original 1980s builder-grade hardware often see internal wear that rekeying won't fix. If you're upgrading to smart locks or higher-security cylinders, replacement is the only path, but for key control alone, rekeying delivers the same security at one-third the price.
Rekeying Multiple Properties or Commercial Spaces
Commercial clients in Midtown and Buckhead office parks use master-key systems, where one grand-master opens every door and sub-masters open specific suites. Rekeying maintains that hierarchy without replacing hundreds of cylinders. A locksmith rebuilds each pin stack to accept both the tenant key and the master, then cuts fresh keys. Commercial rekeying can run $150–$400 depending on complexity and lock count.
Property managers across Sandy Springs and Decatur rekey entire apartment buildings on a schedule, every 12–24 months or after move-outs. Bulk rekeying discounts bring per-cylinder costs down, and techs carry pre-pinned cylinders to swap on-site, cutting service time. The result is a unified key system without the logistics and expense of replacing every knob, deadbolt, and panic device.
Costs, Timing, and What to Expect in Atlanta
Mobile locksmiths in Fulton County arrive within 20–45 minutes during business hours, carrying pin kits for Kwikset, Schlage, Yale, and Weiser locks. Expect $20–40 per cylinder plus the service-call fee; a typical four-door home rekey totals $150–$300. After-hours or weekend calls add $50–$100 to standard rates, though many Atlanta shops offer next-day scheduling at regular pricing if the situation isn't urgent.
Bring all existing keys to the appointment so the locksmith can verify which locks need work and confirm each cylinder turns freely. If you've already purchased new locks at a hardware store, ask whether the tech can rekey those to match your existing house key, saving you from carrying multiple keys. Most rekeying takes 45–90 minutes for a full home, and you'll have working keys before the locksmith leaves.
Frequently asked
Can I rekey locks myself, or should I hire a locksmith?
DIY rekey kits exist for Kwikset and Schlage, but they require steady hands, correct pin sizing, and patience. One misaligned pin jams the cylinder. Atlanta locksmiths carry master pin kits, shims, and follower tools that handle any lock brand, and they guarantee the rekey works. For a single lock, DIY might save $50; for a whole house, professional service is faster and safer.
How long does a rekeyed lock last before I need to rekey again?
A rekey doesn't wear out, it's mechanically identical to a factory lock. You'll rekey again only if you need to invalidate keys (another move, lost key, breakup). In Atlanta's humid climate, lubricate cylinders with graphite powder every two years to prevent pin corrosion, but the rekey itself is permanent.
Will rekeying improve security, or do I need new locks?
Rekeying invalidates old keys, which solves access-control problems, but it doesn't upgrade the lock's pick resistance or bolt strength. If you have builder-grade Grade-3 locks, rekeying them still leaves Grade-3 hardware. Upgrading to Grade-1 deadbolts or high-security cylinders (Medeco, Mul-T-Lock) requires replacement, not rekeying.
Can a locksmith rekey smart locks and electronic deadbolts?
Traditional pin-tumbler smart locks (Schlage Encode, Kwikset SmartCode) can be rekeyed like any mechanical cylinder, the motor and keypad don't change. Fully keyless models (August, Yale Assure) have no cylinder to rekey. If your smart lock includes a physical keyway, Atlanta locksmiths rekey it and you keep both app control and a backup key.
What's a master-key system, and can I add one when rekeying?
A master-key system uses extra master pins so one key opens all locks, while individual keys open only their assigned doors. Landlords, offices, and Airbnb hosts use them. Atlanta locksmiths build master systems during rekeying by adding a second shear line to each cylinder. Costs rise slightly, plan $30–$50 per lock for master-keying instead of $20–$40 for straight rekeying.